ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 175
His Majesty’s Government note the agreement deals also with certain questions outside the scope of their award of August 4th. Clauses 8 and 9 deal with general points, the relisation of which will be likely to depend in the main on the actual working of the constitution. But His Majesty’s Government take note of these clauses as a definite pledge of the intentions of the Caste Hindus towards the Depressed Classes.
There are two other points outside the scope of their Award : (1) The agreement contemplates that the franchise for the Depressed Classes should be that recommended by the Franchise (Lord Lothian’s) Committee. It is obvious that the level of the franchise for the Depressed Classes (and indeed for Hindus generally) must be determined at the same time as that for other communities is being settled, and the whole subject is under consideration by His Majesty’s Government—
(2) The agreement also provides for a particular method of electing Depressed Classes representatives for the Legislature at the Centres. This, again, is a subject outside the terms of this Award which is under investigation as part of the whole for election for the legislature at the Centre, and no piecemeal conclusion can be reached. What has been said on these two points should not be regarded as implying that His Majesty’s Government are against what is proposed in the agreement, but that these questions are still under consideration. To prevent mis-understanding, it may be explained that the Government regard the figure 18 per cent, for the percentage of British India general seats at the Centre to be reserved for the Depressed Classes as a matter for settlement between them and other Hindus. (Applause). [1] -
“In the evening prayers were said in the Prison yard. Kasturba then handed Gandhi orange juice, and he broke his fast about half-past five amidst a gathering of some two hundred disciples and admirers, poet Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Sardar Patel and Swarup Rani Nehru being conspicuous.” [2]
1 : (The Legislative Assembly Debates-Official Report—Volume V. 1932, Pp. 1307-1308, Monday, 26th September, 1932).”
Reprinted, Khairmode, Vol. 5, Pp. 57-59.
2 : Keer, P. 215.
- For comments on Round Table Conference and Poona Pact—See appendix-V