310 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Having regard to the aspirations and ambitions of the Indian people and having regard to the fundamental conflict between them and the German, ideal India cannot avoid taking up the challenge of Germany, assert herself and show her readiness to vindicate her right to reach her destiny.
That being the view of what is involved in this war the Independent Labour Party has no hesitation in saying that this is war which the Indian people in their own interest should support and help Great Britain to prosecute the same.
Empty Phrase
The Independent Labour party is aware that there is also a certain degree of hesitancy on the part of other political parties. But that hesitancy is not based on principle, but is based on considerations of tactics. They want to make England’s need India’s opportunity, The Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha want to exploit this ‘hour of need’ to have the Communal balance of power in the Indian Constitution rectified in their favour. It is unnecessary to consider this sectional attitude.
The more important section is the section which wants to make England’s hour of need India’s opportunity for emancipation. It is difficult to understand what is meant by ‘India’s opportunity.’
If it means that India can now by her own inherent strength successfully dictate her own terms to Britain then every one must admit that ‘India’s opportunity’ is only an empty phrase which has no substance in it. The Gandhian method of civil disobedience is too exhausting and no one wants to have a second exercise in it.
If it means that this is an occasion for Indians to invite some enemy of Great Britain to emancipate them from British domination then it is the greatest snare. Knowing that there is every possibility of the guest remaining here and becoming the host of the Indians, no Indian whose power of judgment is not submerged beneath an excess of emotion could regard such a move as wise and prudent.
No New Masters, Please !
The Indenpendent Labour Party believes that as far as one can visualize the near future, keeping one’s feet on the firm ground of practical politics, the best thing for India is to remain within the British Commonwealth of nations and strive to achieve the status of equal partnership therein.