PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 857
Shri P. Sundarayya (Madras) : Let us confiscate it.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no idea what they have done. The third fact he told me was that all trade in the village was in the hands of the Reddys
An hon. Member: What is wrong ?
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The lowest village officer is also a Reddy; the ‘mulki’ is also a Reddy. Well, Sir, I want to know for myself, especially in view of the fact whether the reservation, which was so blissfully granted to us by the Congress Party for ten years, is going to disappear.
An hon. Member: You accepted it.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Yes, what else can one do; if you can’t get puri you must get roti. Sir, in view of the situation that is obtaining there, you can imagine what is likely to be the position of the Scheduled Castes. What provision has my hon. Friend made for the purpose of granting protection against tyranny, against oppression, against communalism, that is sure to be rampant not only in the Andhradesh but everywhere in the States similarly situated. One of the greatest regrets that I have is that the Home Member, whose duty it is to see that every citizen is well protected against the tyranny of the majority, has come here with a Bill with no idea, with no conception as to what the State is likely to be and what is likely to happen to millions of people. I know, Sir, he is a high born person.
Dr. K. N. Katju: Who ? I ? I started life in a normal manner ............
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: But the fact is that he is a Kashmiri Pandit. Even if he takes to the profession of a Bhangi he will still remain a Kashmiri Pandit. He may never suffer. All people may respect him for his ancestry, for his noble birth, for his learning. What about us who have been tyrannised for the last 2,000 years ?
Shri H. P. Saksena (Uttar Pradesh) : But we all respect you.