KALARAM TEMPLE................ENTRY MOVEMENT 195
opinion on its provisions. Mahatma Gandhi pleaded with the Viceroy by his letter dated February 1, 1933 that the Government of India was bound to support these two Legislative measures in view of the Resolution dated September 25, 1932 passed by the Caste Hindus at Bombay which formed part of the Poona Pact.
Mahatma Gandhi saw that the Ranga Iyer’s Bill should be supported by everyone. He sent out an appeal to the Hindu Members of the Central Legislative Assembly. He utilised the services of C. Rajagopalachari, who, according to him, was ‘a better lobbyist’, to enlist support for the Bills. He advised him not to take to heart, “Dr. Ambedkar’s explosion, the Government’s decision and Malaviya’s opposition.” G. D. Birla and Devdas Gandhi were appointed to canvass support for the Bills. When the Bills had come to the stage of appointment of a Select Committee, the British Government had taken a decision to dissolve the Assembly and order election. Terrified at the thought of facing the electorate, there was a sudden volte-face on the part of the members who favoured the Bills. The mover of the Bills Ranga Iyer was deeply hurt and came up heavily on C. Rajagopalachari stating that he had gone back “like a crab”. He added: “Had they gone on with the TempleEntry Bill or the Untouchable question, they would have lost many votes, for it is not a popular issue and, therefore, “they have run away for their own convictions and playing every trick to come back to the Legislature with as large a number as possible.”
Against this background, two great stalwarts-Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar-met at Yeravada Prison on February 4, 1933.
(For the details of the meeting between Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji see Section II under the title “Dr. AmbedkarMahatma Gandhi Meetings.—Editors.)
After this meeting Dr. B. R. Ambedkar issued a statement wherein he expressed his views regarding the Temple Entry Bill. Following is the statement:
Statement on Temple Entry Bill
14th February, 1933
“What was the attitude of the Untouchables to this movement for Temple entry ? I was asked by Mr. Gandhi to lend my