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SCHEDULED CASTES’ EMANCIPATION —DRAFT MANIFESTO—
“An Executive Committee Meeting of All India Scheduled Castes Federation was held at the Residence of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at New Delhi on 6th Oct. 1951 to decide the Election Manifesto.” [1]
In that meeting a decision was taken, not to have alliance with Congress, Hindu Maha Sabha, R.S.S., Communist Party and Jan Sangh. The power to have the alliance with other Politicat Parties was delegated to the adhoc committee comprising Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, N. Shivraj and Bapusaheb Rajbhoj. It was also decided that the adhoc Committee would take the appropriate decisions.
“The emphasis was given to make the ‘Samata Sainik Dal’ of ‘Scheduled Castes Federation’ stronger and effective.”
“The manifesto prepared by ‘Scheduled Castes Federation’ was approved unanimously. The press wrote columns after columns speculating about the proposed manifesto. Indians and Western Journals welcomed the manifesto released on 7th October 1951 which was unique, unparalled and outspoken.” [2]
The copies of manifesto were circulated to the representatives of news papers well in advance. Accordingly the leading news paper ‘ The Times of India’ dated October
3rd, 1951 reacted under the above title which is as follows :—
“... Seeking to fight the battle against poverty on two fronts, the Federation, it is understood, will advocate birth control to limit population and urge measures for increased and intensified agriculture and industrial production. The Federation considers rapid industrialization as very essential but is of a view that agriculture would continue to be the foundation of Indian economy. As regards administration, the Federation will press for the creation of linguistic provinces. It will insist on stringent action against corruption and black-marketing in all phases of life, particularly against Ministers or Officers who are corrupt. The Federation will advocate reduction of expenditure in the army, re-levy of the salt tax, abolition of prohibition
1 : Khairmode, Vol. 10, P. 147.
2 : Janata, October 13th, 1951.