PAY MORE..................THAN TEMPLE ENTRY 229
Special Census
He also drew Mr. Gandhi’s attention to the proposal of the League to arrange for a special census of the Depressed Classes people in India and pointed out to the Congress leader that such a proceeding was unnecessary.
Mrs. Sarojini Naidu was present during the interview and Mr. Gandhi and those who met Dr. Ambedkar after the interview appear to have received the impression that Mr. Gandhi favoured Dr. Ambedkar’s proposal regarding the composition of the Anti-Untouchability League Committees.
Mr. Gandhi is “perfectly fit” according to the latest news from Yerawda and Dr. Ambedkar has told his friends that the Congress leader is full of life and is completely restored to normal health.
ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES
Dr. Ambedkar’s Advice to his Community
“There certainly is a general slackening off in the AntiUntouchability Movement,” said Dr. Ambedkar in an interview. “But, as the movement only dealt with the spectacular removal of the ban against Untouchables entering temples and with inter-dining, I am greatly perturbed over this fact. That with spectacular certainty, they caused much ill-feeling between the people and brought them no substantial advantage.
“The attention of the Anti-Untouchability League and workers in the same cause should be directed more to the economic, educational and social improvement of the Untouchables rather than to temple entry and inter-dining. Public opinion should be mobilised by them to throw open wells and to admit Untouchable children to public schools.”
Referring to Belgaum district where a request had been received from the Depressed Classes people themselves for the constrution of a separate well, he said that the Board should not grant such a request. Untouchables should insist on their right to draw water from the general public wells. He suspected that in this case there might be some interested party influencing them.” [1]
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1 : The Times of India, dated 19th October 1932.