218 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
not have been unaware of the pronouncement made by His Majesty’s Government that Untouchables were separate from the Caste Hindus and constituted a distinct element in the national life of India. The Cabinet Mission could not have been unaware of the pledges given by His Majesty’s Government that no constitution which had not the consent of the Scheduled Castes would be imposed upon them. The Cabinet Mission could not have been unaware of the fact that at the Simla Conference convened by Lord Wavell only a year ago the Scheduled Castes were given a separate representation from the Caste Hindus. Having regard to these circumstances, the Working Committee feels no hesitation in saying that in ignoring the Scheduled Castes in the manner in which it has done, the Cabinet Mission has brought the name of the British nation into disgrace and disrepute.
The Working Committee has noticed the statement made by the Cabinet Mission in the course of Press interview that they have made double provision for the representation of the Scheduled Castes in the Constituent Assembly and in the Advisory Committee. The Working Committee feels bound to say that these provisions are absolutely illusory and unworthy of serious consideration. In the plan set out by them, the Mission have not reserved any seat for the Scheduled Castes in the election by the Provincial Legislatures to the Constituent Assembly as they have done for the Sikhs and the Muslims. There is no obligation on the Provincial Legislatures to elect a specified number of Scheduled Caste members to the Constituent Assembly. It is quite possible that the Constituent Assembly may not have in it any representative of the Scheduled Castes. And even if a few representatives of the Scheduled Castes should find a place in the Constituent Assembly, they being elected by Hindu votes, they can never represent the true interests of the Scheduled Castes. As to the Advisory Committee, it cannot be substantially different from the Constituent Assembly. It will only be a reflection of the Constituent Assembly.
The Working Committee finds it extremely difficult to understand how the Cabinet Mission could how come to believe that they had mand enough and good provision for giving