232 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
If there was any chance of the Depressed Classes winning seats in an open fight against Caste Hindu candidates there would have been no necessity for the Poona Pact. It is therefore obvious that there will be no representatives of the Depressed Classes in the Second Chambers in these Provinces. In Bengal and Bihar it is provided that 27 out of 65 in the former and
12 out of 30 in the latter will be elected, by the method of the single transferable vote, by members of the Provincial Lower House.
Insufficient Seats
This opens up a possibility for the Depressed Classes in these two Provinces to secure representation in the Second Chambers. On a closer study of the facts it will, however, be clear that in Bihar there will be no probability because the depressed classes seats in the Provincial Lower House (15 in
- will not be sufficient to give them the necessary quota, and in Bengal 30 in a house of 250 will hardly give them a quota for one seat.
Not only will there be no seat for the Depressed Classes in any of the Provincial Second Chambers, but on account of the franchise, they will not be able even to influence the elections to the Second Chambers.
Need of Reserved Seats
The J. P. C. seems to have given no thought to these adverse effects, its proposals were calculated to produce on the representation of the Depressed Classes in the Second Chambers. In connection with its franchise proposals the committee observes that “the qualifications above indicated will also apply to candidates, but special provision may be necessary in the case of women and the Depressed Classes.” That special provision will be necessary is beyond doubt. But what I wish to point out is that a differential qualification in favour of the Depressed Classes’ candidate will be of no avail if the franchise of the voters remains uniform. Indeed, differential qualification in favour of Depressed Classes’ voters will not help them to win in elections unless seats are reserved for them.
The Position of the Depressed Classes in regard to their representation in the Federal Upper House has also undergone a complete change for the worse. Under the White Paper proposals the