636 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
There is nothing mandatory about it.
Dr. Ambedkar: My point is, under this rule it would be obligatory to provide a ballot paper for every one of the voters who is covered by this while so far as detained persons are concerned, on account of the difficulties that I have mentioned it may not be possible to provide a ballot paper for everyone. Otherwise the detenu may file a suit.
Mr. Chairman: Supposing the words “so far as practicable” are put in here along with the amendment.
Dr. Ambedkar : I do not think the words “so far as practicable” should be made applicable to any of the other categories specified, because it is possible to provide a ballot paper for every one who comes under these categories. Only in regard to this will only cause bitterness among people. And if it is done it would only produce obstacles in the way of a popular Scheduled Caste candidate in contesting elections for the general seats. Not only this much but his right to contest elections for the general seats and win them would also be nullified. Keeping this in view I think, Shri Sonavane should realize that he should not move such an amendment which may result in accelerating communal differences and bitterness and which might prove dangerous for the Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes themselves. My impression is that even if he does not get sufficient votes after contesting for the general seat, he would at least get the seat reserved for the Scheduled Tribes. And in case he gets sufficient number of votes while contesting for the general seat then he would be elected on both the seats, the general as well as the reserved one. We should therefore declare it a separate seat, because this procedure cannot be followed with respect to a joint seat. And if the number of seats would be more in a plural constituency the voters only will have a right to give vote in the manner they like; of course the Harijans and the nonHarijans should have an equal footing for contesting elections for the general seat. In case the voters think that the Harijan candidate is a proper one and is capable, he will get votes of non-Harijans too and will be elected from that constituency. But in case he does not poll more votes then also he would