81
PRESENT DISORDERS HARMING ONLY INDIANS
“A huge crowd composed mostly of members of the Depressed Classes virtually laid seige to the Bombay Central Station this morning the 3rd November 1942 to receive Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Labour Member of the Government of India, who arrived by the Frontier Mail.
When the garlanding ceremony over, Dr. Ambedkar drove to his residence at Dadar where another crowd awaited his arrival.
It is understood that Dr. Ambedkar will leave for Mahad on November 10th and return three days later.” [1]
“Addressing a public meeting held under the auspices of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation at Kamgar Maidan, Parel, Bombay, on Sunday evening, the 8th November 1942, the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Labour Member of the Government of India blamed Mr. Gandhi and the Congress for starting the present Civil Disobedience Compaign in India for which, he declared, there was not the slightest justification, especially in view of the offer made by Sir Stafford Cripps. The present disorders, which were committed by hirelings, did not cause any harm or damage to Government or to the British people but only to Indian themselves. Large and important sections in the country were not in favour of the movement, and he had no doubt that it would fail.
So far as the Depressed Classes were concerned, they did not and could not take any part in the movement. The Congress leaders were very anxious to placate the Muslims and they had several times approached the Muslim leader for a settlement; but they had so far ignored the demand of the Depressed Classes for their proper place in the future constitution of the country. The Congress was anxious to placate the Muslims, because the latter were strong and well organised. The Depressed Classes were ignored because they were not sufficiently strong or well organised. Dr. Ambedkar urged them to make themselves politically strong by organisation through the All India Scheduled Castes Federation and also by strengthening their volunteer army. He advised them to keep away from the present political movement.
- : The Bombay Chronicle, dated 4th November 1942.