25
RESTORE THE SEPARATE ELECTORATES
During his stay at London Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed a meeting of the Conservative Indian Committee in the House of Commons which was attended by some Labour and Liberal MP’s also on November 5th, 1946. Following is the report: Editors.
“LONDON : November 6 (U.P.I.): Dr. B.R. Ambedkar addressed yesterday a meeting of the Conservative Indian Committee in the House of Commons which was attented by some Labour and Liberal M Ps also. The press was not allowed and the talk which lasted nearly an hour was more or less off the record.
It is understood, however, that Dr. Ambedkar expressed his profound disappointment at the Cabinet Mission’s work. He explained to the members present, the memorandum which was presented by him to Mr. Churchill and Lord PethickLawarence which attempts to show that the Congress does not represent the Untouchables. He demanded the abrogation of the Poona Pact* signed by himself and Mahatma Gandhi and demanded the restoration of Separate Electorates as envisaged in Mr. Mac Donald’s Communal Award.
Dr. Ambedkar has, however, little hopes of succeeding in his mission except in Mr. Churchill being returned to power.
The Labour Members questioned him closely which indicated that the party in “power is in no mood of raking up the whole communal issue.” He was told, it is learnt, to adjust himself to the changed situation and try his luck in the Constituent Assembly.” [1]
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- See appendix VI.
1 : Bombay Chronicle, dated 7th November 1946. Reprinted : Khairmode, Vol. 8 Pp. 140-141.