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THE SCHEDULED CASTES HAD BEEN LEFT WHERE THEY WERE……..
“Deep regret at what he described as the ‘Atom bomb dropped on the cause of the Scheduled Castes of India’ by the manner in which they had been treated by the British Cabinet Delegation, was expressed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at a meeting held here today under the auspices of the Scheduled Castes Federation. Mr. J. N. Mandal, Minister, Government of Bengal, presided.
Dr. Ambedkar expressed surprise that only one seat in the interim Government was allotted to the Scheduled Castes of the country, who numbered 60 millions. Other communities, whose strength did not exceed three or four millions were also allotted one seat.
Declaring that it was the Scheduled Castes people of Bihar and Bombay who helped Britishers to establish their rule in this country. Dr. Ambedkar added that only the Hindus and Muslims in India had reaped the fruits of British rule during the last 150 years. The Schduled Castes had been left where they were at the beginning. Wells remained closed to them as were temples, Dharmasalas, offices and Kacheries. The action of the Cabinet Mission, he added, had led them to the parting of ways.
Dr. Ambedkar warned the audience that unless they had political power in the coming struggle the Scheduled Castes of India would be doomed. Other communities, who had tremendous power and were habituated to treat them as ‘pariah dogs,’ would crush them.
Dr. Ambedkar made an appeal to the Scheduled Castes members in the Provincial Assemblies to think of their duties at this hour of trial, of the making or marching of their destiny.
Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation also addressed the meeting.” [1]
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- : Jai Bheem : August 13, 1946.
Date and place are not mentioned—Editors.