234 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Against Vital Interests
In omitting thus to provide for their representation has J.P.C. acted against the vital interests of the Depressed Classes ? I would like to remind His Majesty’s Government that the consent of the Depressed Classes to the transfer of power to Indians was conditional upon adequate provision being made for their representation in the legislatures of the country under the new constitution. I had made this abundantly clear in my speech as the representative of the Depressed Classes at the Plenary Session of the First Round Table Conference. This omission to provide for the representation of the Depressed Classes in the Second Chambers, Provincial and Federal, is also contrary to the considered views of all those who have dealt with the problem.
I am sure that the sentiments of the Prime Minister on which the Depressed Classes have been relying were intended to be earned out in the framing of the new constitution, but the J. P. C. failed to respect these sentiments, with the result that the interests of the Depressed Classes in the matter of representation in the Second Chambers, Federal and Provincial, have been flagrantly neglected. I must, therefore, say that it would not be possible for the Depressed Classes to give their support to the scheme of reforms, and I hope that His Majesty’s Government will modify the proposals of the J.P.C. so as to safeguard the interests of the Depressed Classes in the matter of representation in the Second Chambers, Federal and Provincial. I am sorry to say that it would not be possible for the Depressed Classes to give their support to the scheme of reform if these proposals stand as they are.” [1]
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1 : The Times of India, dated 15th January 1935.