482 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
of the caste Hindus. I am not prepared to accept that argument. Those seats have been given to Vindhya Pradesh not only for the caste Hindus but for all other people who are resident in those States. They have appealed to me to see if the quota of seats allotted to Vindhya Pradesh in the House of the People may not be increased by one. You know that in the Constitution a definite maximum limit has been placed for the House of the People and I believe it is about
- It is quite obvious that I could not increase the quota of representation of Vindhya Pradesh if the thing is going to offend against that maximum which would be quite impossible and unconstitutional. It is quite possible that other Part C States may also claim an enlargement of their quota because they may also claim the same sort of treatment. It is therefore difficult for me to commit to any such proposal as has been put before me. All that I can say is that I will look into the matter and see if something can be done. Beyond that I do not propose to say anything.
Then, my friend from Vindhya Pradesh drew my attention to article 240. His argument was that instead of taking action under article 240 I was proceeding under some other articles of the Constitution. Well, I know he will agree that the articles under which I am proceeding are perfectly legitimate. The reason why he wants me to act under article 240 he knows very well and I do not wish to expose the thing more than is necessary. All that I need tell him is this, that it is unnecessary for me to refer to article 240 because my problem is very different. My problem is to provide for the representation of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Part C States in the House of the People. My present problem is not to find representation for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in any local assembly or a Parliament that may be devised hereafter. When the Government of India will take action to satisfy my friend for the purpose of establishing some local legislature, then undoubtedly article 240 will be resorted to and provision will be made for the representation of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes therein also. But for the moment, it is not necessary for me to resort to article 240.