PROPOSAL FOR . . . . . . EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 169
(i) Hindus, other than Scheduled Castes.
(ii) Muslims.
(iii) Scheduled Castes.
(iv) Sikhs.
(v) Indian Christians.
(vi) Anglo-Indians.
“(b) The representation of these communities in the executive shall be, as far as possible, a reflection of their strength in the Legislature.”
I may add that two of my Hindu colleagues in the Executive Council have in the memorandum they have presented to you this morning* expressed that the representation given to the Scheduled Castes in His Majesty’s Government’s proposals is inadequate and unfair. What shocks me (is) that His Majesty’s Government with all their profession of being trustees for the Scheduled Castes and contrary to their repeated declarations should have treated their wards in such an ill-liberal, unfair and unjust manner and far worse than enlightened Hindu opinion would have done. I feel it, therefore, my bounden and sacred duty to oppose the proposal by every means at my command. The proposal means a deathknell to the Untouchables and will have the effect of liquidating their efforts over the last 50 years for their emancipation. If His Majesty’s Government notwithstanding its many pronouncements wish to hand over the fate of the Untouchables to the tender mercies of Hindu-Muslim combine, His Majesty’s Government may well do it. But, I cannot be a party to the suppression of my people. The conclusion to which I have come is to ask His Majesty’s Government to redress the wrong and to give to the Untouchables at least 3 seats in the new Executive Council. If His Majesty’s Government is not prepare(d) to grant this, then His Majesty’s Government should know that I cannot be a member of the newly-constituted Executive Council,
*See No. 482. (Transfer of Power).