ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 121
R ESERVATIONS
We have fixed this proportion of representation in the Legislatures on the following assumptions:—
(1) We have assumed that the figures for the population of the Depressed Classes given by the Simon Commission (Vol. I. P.40) and the Indian Central Committee (Report, P.
- will be acceptable as suffciently correct to form a basis for distributing seats.
(2) We have assumed that the Federal Legislature will comprise the whole of India, in which case the population of the Depressed Classes in Indian States, in Centraly Administered Areas, and in Excluded Territories, besides their population in Govrnor’s Provinces, will form very properly an additional item in calculating the extent of representation of the Depressed Classes in the Federal Legislature.
(3) We have assumed that the administrative area of the Provinces of British India will contiune to be what they are at present.
But if these assumptions regarding figures of population are challenged as some interested parties threaten to do, and if under a new census over which the Depressed Classes can have no control, the population of the Depressed Classes shows a lower proportion, or if the administrative areas of the Provinces are altered, resulting in disturbing the existing balance of population, the Depressed Classes reserve their right to revise their proportion of representation and even to claim weightage. In the same way, if the All-India Federation does not come into being, they will be willing to submit to readjustment in their proportion of representation calculated on that basis in the Federal Legislature.
II. M ETHOD OF R EPRESENTATION
- The Depressed Classes shall have the right to elect their representatives to the Provincial and Central Legislatures through Separate Electorates of their voters.
For their representation in the upper House of the Federal or Central Legislature, if it is decided to have indirect election by