462 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Government has done this thing as a Christian Government and hence I shall have to tell both the Government and the Christians the same thing that as Christians they cannot do this thing. Let our Swaraj come into being, then they may influence the Antyajas in any way they like, but they should not divide us today. I had said this to the Muslims even in England. I shall say the same thing here also. I shall explain to the Hindu Society that now the Antyajas have no choice but to turn Muslims or Christians.
Mahadev Desai : Among the people who will come also be the Christian friends and they will say to you that before accusing the Government, you should accuse your self. Why does Hindu society regard the Antyajas as Untouchables ?
Gandhiji : That is upto me to explain. That is not difficult thing. We can say to them : “Allow us to settle our problems ourselves, why do you interfere ? After we have set about managing our own affairs, you may do what you like. Why do you divide us and then argue over things ? To-day the Antyajas have either to turn to Muslims or to you. The question of women is similar to that of Antyajas. But women are not Untouchables. Even if they wish to become Untouchables, men will go and sit on their beds. They cannot be separated from even by having a separate electorate. To-day the Antyajas have been separated permanently. What would be the outcome of it ? There