92 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Condition No. VIII
DEPRESSED CLASSES AND THE CABINET
Just as it is necessary that the Depressed Classes should have the power to influence governmental action by seats in the Legislature so also it is desirable that the Depressed Classes should have the opportunity to frame the general policy of the Government. This they can do only if they can find a seat in the Cabinet. The Depressed Classes therefore claim that in common with other minorities, their moral rights to be represented in the Cabinet should be recognized. With this purpose in view the Depressed Classes propose that in the Instrument of Instructions an obligation shall be placed upon the Governor and the Governor General to endeavour to secure the representation of the Depressed Classes in his Cabinet.” [1]
“Dr. Ambedkar despatched some copies of this Declaration of Fundamental Rights to his followers in India, asked them to hold meetings in different cities in support of the demands presented to the Minorities Sub-Committee by the Depressed Class representatives, and instructed them to send copies of the resolutions to Ramsay MacDonald, stating that those demands were the irreducible minimum for willing co-operation of the Depressed Classes : otherwise they would not consent to any constitution for self-government. Accordingly, a number of wires poured into the office of the British Premier from all parts of India.” [2]
Similarly, the provisions for a settlement of the communal problem put forward jointly by Muslims, Depressed Classes, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans in the form of memorandum, was submitted to the Minorities Committee. The text of memorandum reads as follows : Editors.
1 : Proceedings of the Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities) Pp. 168-176.
2 :Keer, P. 153.