ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 163
(By Special Reporter of Janata)
“Two days are over. Negotiations are continuously going on. Various experiments of pressurising Dr. Ambedkar are going on. The students following the Gogate cult which had shot at the Governor, are known to be secretly planning. It is also being said that if Dr. Ambedkar is removed from the scene, things would settle and Gandhiji’s life would be saved. When Dr. Ambedkar was informed of this, he laughed at it. Probably his fearless laugh indicated that he was not afraid of such a death. However, the local Untouchable community is worried about the safety of Dr. Ambedkar and they are keeping an alert. Even if there happens a slightest injury to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, there would be a grave situation. Thousands of Untouchable youth would be ready to make any sacrifice for him. All are feeling a concern that there should not be such a violent end to Gandhiji’s oath.” [1]
“The leaders who went to see Mahatmaji at 9-30 p.m. came out after a comparatively short while looking exhausted but cheerful. Dr. Ambedkar was heard to remark “Gandhiji is on my side.”
“The leaders are meeting again in conference at 8 o’clock on Saturday morning and will see Gandhiji shortly afterwards. Prevalent opinion is that complete agreement is now within reach. And unless a miraculous piece of ill- luck intervenes, Saturday noon must enable Poona to flash out the happy news of a difinite settlement.
Differences on questions of major importance have almost been surmounted and have been reduced to an almost theoretical difference on the question of a referendum of the Depressed Classes at a distant future date. It is considered likely that the leaders may agree to a referendum to be taken after 10 years.
1 : Janata, dated 24th September 1932.