MEMORANDUM . . . . . . . CABINET MISSION 183
constituencies. They claim the right in any constitutional discussions to be regarded as an entity against the operations of a mere numerical majority. The same applies to the great body what are known as the Scheduled Castes who feel, in spite of Mr. Gandhi’s earnest endeavours on their behalf, that as a community, they stand outside the main body of the Hindu community which is represented by the Congress.”
— Extract from the speech by The Rt. Hon’ ble Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for India, in the House of Commons on August 14, 1940.
- “3. Without recapitulating all the * ........ reasons in detail, I should remind you that His Majesty’s Government
- ........ at time made it clear;
(a) That their offer of unqualified freedom after the cessation of hostilities was made conditional upon the framing of a Constitution agreed by the main elements of India’s national life and the negotiation of the necessary treaty arrangements with His Majesty’s Government.
(b) That it is impossible during the period of hostilities to bring about any change in the Constitution by which means alone a “National Government” such as you suggest could be made responsible to the Central Assembly.
The object of these conditions was to ensure the fulfilment of their duty to safeguard the interests of the racial and religious minorities, of the Depressed Classes and their Treaty obligations to the Indian States,”
— Extract from the letter by Lord Wavell to Mr. Gandhi, dated 15th August, 1944.
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