440 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Boards be done away with immediately even before the next election”.
Moved by : Shri A. G. Pawar and
Seconded by : Shri A. Ratnam.
This resolution was carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 7. —(1) This meeting of the Working Committee of the Scheduled Castes Federation expresses its resentment against the Planning Commission for not having consulted the Federation to assist the Commission in devising ways and means for solving the problem of the Untouchables.
(2) This meeting of the Working Committee of the Federation is of the opinion that in Planning Commission’s proposals there is none which would abolish Untouchability or remove the poverty of the Untouchables.
(3) This meeting of the Working Committee of the Federation is convinced that it is the village system which is based on compulsory co-existence between Untouchables and Caste Hindus which is at the root of Untouchability and the poverty of the Untouchables.
(4) When two parties decide to co-exist it is important that each should understand the other’s mind and mental attitude. Behind what he says we could have some idea of what and how he thinks. What constitutes the Communal mind ? How does it work and react ? Has it got recognisable corporate existence ? And, if so, is there a discernible pattern to be studied ; and what can we learn from it ? Where, indeed, do we begin ?
It is our failure to study the caste Hindu reaction and to look below the surface of statements and propaganda that has been responsible for our past mistakes. The kind of Caste Hindu mind with which we must be concerned is not to be found in Caste Hindu (but behind the iron curtain).
(5) It is the confirmed opinion of the Working Committee that this system of co-existence must be done away with.