354 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
at all times to fight in the Legislature and in the Executive whenever they did anything which had the effect of nullifying the rights granted to the Untouchables.
BOUND BY PARTY DISCIPLINES
“To grant political safeguards to the Scheduled Castes without granting separate electorates is a fraud which is bound to have the effect of giving by one hand and taking away with the other.
“It will be noticed that the Congress has been able to elect on its ticket representatives of the Scheduled Castes all throughout India in the different Provincial Legislatures.” Dr. Ambedkar continued, “ And yet not one of them ever asked a question, moved a resolution or tabled a motion in order to ventilate the grievances of the Scheduled Castes. The reason is that the representatives of the Scheduled Castes elected on the Congress ticket are bound hand and foot by the party discipline of the Congress, and have no freedom of action.
“It would be much better not to have representation at all than to have such representation in the Legislature.” he added.
PROPORTIONATE REPRESENTATION
“With regard to the question whether proportionate representation will be a solution of this dispute, I might say that I have considered the question and I find that it will not work because if we keep the number of members of the Legislature within the bounds now prescribed or which may be regarded as reasonable, nowhere will the Scheduled Castes, be able to have the quota of voter necessary to have their own men elected in the Legislature.”
Dr. Ambedkar next answered the question, “Is it not possible for the Scheduled Castes to merge themselves into the Hindu community on the basis of a charter of common rights, privileges and removal of all social disabilities ?”
“The question of a merger of the Scheduled Castes into the Hindu community is really dependent upon the wishes of