142 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
These public meetings which the Emergency Committee proposes to hold and the resolution to be moved, but a provocative challenge to me and to my party. Those who have been carrying on negotiations with me cannot carry on their propaganda against me and at the same time hope for an amicable settlement as the result of the negotiations. It must be either negotiations or straight fight. Both cannot go together. If the other party insists on their right to carry on propaganda, they will have no right to blame me if my party also decided to carry on propaganda against them.
B.R. A MBEDKAR .
Bombay, September 18, 1932.” [1]
“On the eve of the Conference of the Hindu leaders, Dr. Ambedkar issued a statement to the Press in which he said : “So far as I am concerned, I am willing to consider everything, though I am not willing to allow the rights of the Depressed Classes to be curtailed in any way. It is no use holding a conference in a vacuum or discussing things without any specific data.” He frankly related this to a deputation of the Depressed Classes from Ahmedabad, and also in his interview with the Indian multi-millionaire, Seth Walchand Hirachand. He told them that Gandhi could have discussed his proposal with the British Premier ; since he was not putting forth any proposal, he alone was to blame.
Visitors, leaders and friends began to call upon Dr. Ambedkar. One of such early visitors was Thakkar who had served with him on the State Committee. He came to talk the matter over. Dr. Ambedkar to whom time was knowledge and a precious thing said that he was very busy studying an important criminal case and therefore asked Thakkar how much time he would require. Thakkar replied that he would require an hour or so. Dr. Ambedkar said that he would give five minutes. Thakkar asked for more. The interview ended with an algebraic brevity, and Dr. Ambedkar went in. Thakkar, however, saw Dr. Ambedkar again the next day. A furious campaign was launched against Dr. Ambedkar.” [2 ]
1 : The Times of India of 19th September 1932.
2 : Keer: Pp. 206-07.