ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 143
On the eve of the Conference of the Hindu leaders i.e. on 19th September 1932, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar issued another statement to the Press. Following is the full text of the Statement.—Editors.
“I need hardly say that I was astounded to read the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Samuel Hoare and the Prime Minister,* which was published recently in the Papers, in which he has expressed his determination to starve himself unto death” till the British Government of its own accord or under pressure of public opinion revise their opinion and withdraw their scheme of communal representation for the Depressed Classes. The unenviable position in which I have been placed by the Mahatma’s vow of self-immolation can easily be imagined.
It passes my comprehension why Mr. Gandhi should stake his life on an issue arising out of the communal question which he, at the Round Table Conference, said was one of a comparatively small importance. Indeed to adopt the language of those of Mr. Gandhi’s way of thinking the communal question was only an appendix to the book of India’s constitution and not the main chapter. It would have been justifiable if Mr. Gandhi had resorted to this extreme step for obtaining independence for the country on which he was so insistent all through the R. T. C. debates. It is also a painful surprise that Mr. Gandhi should single out Special Representation for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award as an excuse for his self-immolation. Separate Electorates are granted not only to the Depressed Classes, but to the Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans as well as to the Mohamedans and the Sikhs. Also Separate Electorates are granted to land-lords, labourers and traders. Mr. Gandhi had declared his opposition to the Special Representation of every other class and creed except the Mohamedans and the Sikhs. All the same Mr. Gandhi now ellooses to let every body else, except the Depressed Classes retain the Special Electorates given to them.
- See, Writings and Speeches, Vol. 9, Pp. 77-87.