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PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT RATHER THAN TEMPLE ENTRY
“Poona, October 18, 1932
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar came to Poona yesterday and spent some time in the Legislative Council but did not disclose to anybody the fact that he had been given permission to visit Mr. Gandhi in Yeravda Jail. In the evening, however, he made use of this permit and spent almost an hour and a half with Mr. Gandhi. Letter he left for Sawantwadi on professional business. He will return to Bombay on October 26 and hopes to sail for England on November 7.
Dr. Ambedkar is of opinion that the Round Table Conference will not begin before November 22 as it will be impossible for many delegates to be present in London by November 12. While it is difficult to draw a line between politics and social welfare in the present situation between Caste Hindus and the Depressed Classes, it is understood that politics proper were banned under the terms of the permit and that therefore the Poona Pact was not dealt with to any extent.
Dr. Ambedkar, however, placed before Mr. Gandhi his views on the future constitution of the Anti-Untouchability League, its Provincial and District Committees and its general progress. He took up the matter of the composition of the committees and expressed very firmly his opinion that there should be a majority of Depressed Classes people on these committees. He was of opinion that their voice must be predominant and that nothing must be done which might prove unpalatable to them. If the uplift work was to proceed satisfactorily the Caste Hindus must assist the Depressed classes people to work out their own salvation and not attempt to uplift them by inducing them to follow the ideals of the Caste Hindus in every way.