ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 139
more than a quarter of a century, apparently not without considerable success. I remain, your faithful friend, M. K. Gandhi.” [1]
This proves the contradiction of Mahatma Gandhi with regard to question of Depressed Classes.
Meanwhile Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel met Gandhiji in Yerwada Jail on September 6,1932 and discussed the issue with him.*
“As was natural, Gandhi’s announcement threw the country into a state of consternation. Public appeals were made to Gandhi and the Government, statements were issued to the Press, and prayers were offered. Leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad said that Hinduism was on its trial. There was confusion and nervous strain in all Hindu circles ; not because the caste Hindus and their leaders felt ashamed of their cruelty to the Depressed Classes, but because the life of their political hero, their political liberator, was at stake. The traditional tragic trend in the character of the Hindus got the upper hand and they got panicky.
Pandit Malaviya declared from Simla his intention to hold a conference of Hindu leaders in Bombay on September 19 to resolve the deadlock and save the life of the Mahatma, and informed Dr. Ambedkar about it by wire. For to save the life of the Mahatma it was necessary to alter the British Premier’s Award, and to amend it, it was necessary to get the approval of Dr. Ambedkar who had wrested these privileges for the Depressed Classes. Naturally, all eyes turned to Dr. Ambedkar as a man of the moment. It was a cruel irony of fate that the leaders and the Press that had refused to recognise Dr. Ambedkar as the leader of the Depressed Classes were now compelled to recognise his leadership of and spokesmanship for the Depressed Classes. He now became the cynosure of the whole country.
Dr. Ambedkar knew the significance and magnitude of the crisis arisen out of Gandhi’s fast unto death. Gandhi had hurled a most dangerous and fatal weapon at him. He prepared himself for repelling the weapon. He had an interview with the Governor of Bombay in Poona.” [2]
The hurried departure of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the champion of Separate Electorates, from Bombay to Poona on Sunday morning to interview the Governor of Bombay, on the eve of the Conference
1 Writings and Speeches, Vol. 9, Pp. 82-83.
2 Keer, Pp. 205-206.
- See appendix-IV