Appendices

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES APPENDIX XIV (8) A SSAM

Name of Constituency Total Number of Seats in the Constituency Total Number of Candidates Total Number of Voters in the Constituency For General For Scheduled Castes For General Seat For Scheduled Caste Seat General Scheduled Castes Percentage of Scheduled Caste Voters to General (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Kamrup Sadr (South), General … … 2 1 2 4 17,501 1,203 7 Nowgong (North East), General … … 1 1 3 4 13,173 1,825 14 Jorhat (North), General … … … 1 1 6 2 12,785 657 5 Sunamganj, General … … … … 1 1 2 1 15,907 6,502 41 Habiganj (North), General … … … 1 1 3 3 12,628 7,615 60 Karimganj (East), General … … … 1 1 4 2 9,611 7,323 76 Silchar, General … … … … 1 1 2 3 15,459 1,587 10

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XIV APPENDIX XIV (9) ORISSA

Name of Constituency Total Number of Seats in the Constituency Total Number of Candidates Total Number of Voters in the Constituency For General For Scheduled Castes For General Sea For Scheduled Caste Seat General Scheduled Castes Percentage of Scheduled Caste Voters to General (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

North- Cuttack Sadr … … 1 1 2 1 17,288 4,159 24 East Jajpur … … 1 1 3 2 15,338 4,808 31 North Puri Sadr … … … 1 1 4 2 13,803 3,182 23 East Bargarh … … … 1 1 3 1 22,849 1,237 5 West Bhadrak … … … 1 1 2 3 16,187 5,152 32 Aska-Surada … … … 1 1 2 4 24,914 1,475 6

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES APPENDIX XV

Particulars regarding Election to seats reserved for Scheduled Castes Province by Province :

Appendix XV: (1) Madras ” ” (2) Bombay ” ” (3) Bengal ” ” (4) U. P.

” ” (5) Punjab ” ” (6) Bihar ” ” (7) C. P. & Berar ” ” (8) Assam ” ” (9) Orissa N.B.—All figures except those in column 8 are actuals. Those in column 8 are calculated as actuals are not obtainable. They are calculated on the assumption that the percentage of Scheduled Caste Voters and of Hindu Voters who went to the polls was the same. How far the assumption is justified, it is not possible to say

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XV APPENDIX XV (1) MADRAS

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled- Caste Votes PolledScheduled-Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Madras City (South Central) Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Chicacole … … … Contested Congress 2,380 5,259 7,639 4,036 6,416 Amalapuram … … … Contested Congress 9,742 Nil 9,742 5,523 29,111 Cocanada … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Ellore … … … … Contested Congress 7,532 6,796 14,328 4,848 12,380 Bandar … … … … Contested Congress 9,935 Nil 9,935 2,004 18,393 Ongole … … … … Contested Congress 6,513 Nil 6,513 3,807 11,973 Gudur … … … … Contested Congress 4,293 344 4,637 4,778 9,072 Cuddappah … … … Contested Congress 8,284 344 8,628 4,047 12,331 Penukonda … … … Contested Congress 4,731 Nil 4,731 1,749 9,801 Bellary … … … … Contested Congress 4,019 Nil 4,019 910 8,124 Kurnool … … … Contested Congress 5,362 Nil 5,362 5,929 13,164 Tiruttani … … … Contested Congress 4,966 Nil 4,966 741 8,128 Chingleput … … … Contested Nan-Congress 12,360 Nil 12,360 6,110 22,852 Tiruvallur … … … Contested Congress 3,107 6,216 9,323 14,140 17,247 Ranipet … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,969 Nil 2,969 4,000 8,296 Tirnvannamalai … … … Contested Congress 3,342 Nil 3,342 4,938 12,696 Tindivanam … … … Contested Congress 6,396 Nil 6,396 2,541 12,480 Chidambaram … … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Tirukkoyilur … … … Contested Congress 9,957 4,436 14,393 6,133 16,090 Tanjore … … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — —Mannargudi … … … Contested Congress 2,294 20,494 22,788 8,296 10,590 Ariyalur … … … … Contested Congress 1,208 10,084 11,292 8,759 9,967Palni … … … … Contested Congress 1,469 29,436 30,905 10,615 12,084Sattur … … … … Contested Congress Nil 18,514 18,514 11,894 6,980Koilpatti … … … Contested Congress 4,199 6,284 10,483 811 5,010 Pollachi … … … Contested Congress 9,703 Nil 9,703 2,217 15,244 Namakal … … … Contested Congress 8,141 8,153 16,294 3,217 11,358 Coondapur … … … Contested Congress 1,425 Nil 1,425 1,798 11,673 Malappuram … … … Contested Congress 7,154 Nil 7,154 2,606 10,148 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 126,152 Total ... 321,616 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 321,616 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 126,152 Scheduled Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 195,464

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES APPENDIX XV (2) BOMBAY

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled Caste Votes Scheduled- Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Bombay City North & Bombay Suburban District … … Contested Congress 2,414 15,004 17,418 9,738 12,152 Bombay City (Byculla & Parel) Contested Non-Congress 8,494 4,751- 13,245 11,662 8,494 Kaira District … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Surat District … … … Contested Congress 7,913 Nil 7,913 7,245 12,101 Thana South … … … Contested Non-Congress 4,006 227 4,223 2,733 4,006 Ahmednagar, South … … Contested Non-Congress 6,499 296 6,795 1,976 6,499 East Khandesh, East … … Contested Non-Congress 9,519 Nil 9,519 4,689 10,846 Nasik, West … … … Contested Non-Congress 16,605 Nil 16,605 5,679 18,472 Poona, West … … … Contested Non-Congress 9,512 2,599 12,111 532 9,512 Satara, North … … … Contested Non-Congress 6,736 Nil 6,736 10,984 11,243 Sholapur, North East … … Contested Non-Congress 7,622 Nil 7,622 2,891 9,303 Belgaum, North … … … Contested Non-Congress 21,322 Nil 21,322 6,596 36,979 Bijapur, North … … … Contested Non-Congress 4,566 Nil 4,566 4,423 11,965 Kolaba District … … … Contested Congress 2,644 4,781 7,425 8,117 10,761 Ratnagiri, North … … … Contested Non-Congress 5,523 Nil 5,523 not known 8,714 Total of Seheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 12,971 Total ... 171,047 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 171,047 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 12,971 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 158,076

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XV APPENDIX XV (3) BENGAL

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled- Caste Votes PolledScheduled- Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Burdwan, Central … … Contested Non-Congress 2,383 Nil 2,383 2,728 17,918 Burdwan, North West … … Contested Non-Congress 2,332 Nil 2,332 2,506 9,388 Birbhum … … … Contested Non-Congress 4,832 Nil 4,832 848 18,876 Bankura, West … … Contested Congress 5,100 4,501 9,601 1,838 6,938 Midnapur, Central … … Contested Non-Congress 1,851 Nil 1,851 1,733 16,124 Jhargram-cum-Ghatal … … Contested Congress 1,171 Nil 1,171 869 11,305 Hoogly, North East … … Contested Congress 1,638 Nil 1,638 1,613 11,764 Howrah … … … Contested Non-Congress 10,373 Nil 10,373 5,986 14,380 24-Parganas, South East … … Contested Non-Congress 7,289 Nil 7,289 745 27,791 24-Parganas, North West … … Contested Congress 14,964 Nil 14,964 2,361 20,987 Nadia … … … Contested Non-Congress 5,219 Nil 5,219 8,967 20,957 Murshidabad … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,529 Nil 2,529 2,129 10,522 Jessore … … … … Contested Congress 20,198 15 20,213 11,936 32,134 Khulna … … … … Contested Congress Non-Congress 16,575 32,662 Nil Nil 16,575 32,662 20,307 76,887 Malda … … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,229 Nil 2,229 1,413 21,364 Dinajpur … … … … Unopposed Non-Congress Non-Congress — — — — — — — — — — Jalpaiguri-cum-Saliguri … … Contested Non-Congress Non-Congress 16,244 7261 Nil Nil 16,244 7,261 19,513 49,191 Rangpur … … … Contested Non-Congress Non-Congress 12,212 11,914 Nil Nil 12,212 11,914 17,345 53,632 Bogra-cum-Pabna … … Contested Non-Congress 10,502 Nil 10,502 9,920 27,054 Dacca, East … … Contested Non-Congress 17,413 Nil 17,413 12,062 30,869 Mymensingh, West … … Contested Non-Congress 11,822 Nil 11,822 8,987 21,025 Mymensingh, East … … Contested Non-Congress 10,720 Nil 10,720 16,509 31,530 Faridpur … … … Contested Non-Congress Non-Congress 27,342 25,924 Nil Nil 27,342 25,924 57,699 97,608 Bakarganj, Soutt West … … Contested Non-Congress 10,515 Nil 10,515 18,801 26,526 Tippera … … … … Contested Non-Congress 19,388 Nil 19,388 8,017 29,673 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 59,646 Total ... 684,443 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 684,443 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 59,646 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 624,797

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

APPENDIX XV (4) U. P.

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled- Caste Votes Polled Scheduled- Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Lncknow City … … … Contested Congress 1,910 2,327 4,237 4,092 6,002 Cawnpore City … … Contested Congress 4,483 4,901 9,384 1,301 5,784 Agra City … … … Contested Congress 1,018 4,389 5,407 3,132 4,150 Allahabad City … … Contested Congress 385 9,285 9,670 4037 4,422 Saharanpnr District Contested Congress 3,252 Nil 3,252 648 5,282 Bulandshahr District … … Contested Congress 3,853 547 4,400 2,365 6,228 Agra District … … … Contested Non-Congress 1,851 Nil 1,851 2,513 5,550 Mainpuri District … … Contested Congress 2,317 932 3,249 4,431 6,748 Budaun District … … Contested Congress 1,557 Nil 1,557 2,676 9,070 Jalaun District … … Contested Congress 3,791 Nil 3,791 4,840 12,428 Mirzapur District … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Gorakhpur District … … Contested Congress 2,762 Nil 2,762 819 4,954 Basti District … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Azamgarh District … … Contested Congress 949 Nil 949 196 9,256 Almora District … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Rae Bareili District … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Sitapur District … … Contested Congress 12,535 Nil 12,535 955 20,000 Fyzabad District … … Contested Congress 5,771 Nil 5,771 22 13,848 Gonda District … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Barabanki District … … Contested Congress 8,026 Nil 8,026 7,283 18,458 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 52,609 Total ... 132,180 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 132,180 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 52,609 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 79,571

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XV APPENDIX XV (5) PUNJAB

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled Caste Votes PolledScheduled-Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

South East Gurgaon … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Karnal, North … … … Contested Non-Congress 3,318 Nil 3,318 1,299 3,777 Ambala and Simla … … Contested Non-Congress 5,237 Nil 5,237 4,911 10,960 Hoshiarpur, West … … Contested Non-Congress 8,599 Nil 8,599 14,640 11,701 Jullundur … … … Contested Non-Congress 13,135 Nil 13,135 9,176 20,347 Ludhiana Ferozepur … … Contested Non-Congress 7,258 Nil 7,258 6,024 16,481 Amritsar and Sialkot … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — Lyallpur and Jhang … … Contested Non-Congress 2,903 Nil 2,903 2,143 5,860 … … Total ... 69,126 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 69,126 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … Nil Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 69,126

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES APPENDIX XV (6) BIHAR

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled Caste Votes Scheduled Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

East Bihar … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,471 Nil 2,471 519 5,443 South Gaya … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — N wada … … … Contested Congress 3,079 Nil 3,079 1,629 10,449 East Central Shahabad … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — West Gopalganj … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — North Bettiah … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — East Muzaffarpur Sadr … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Darbhanga Sadr … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — South East Samastipur … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — South Sadr Monghyr … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Madhipura … … … Contested Congress 70 1,688 1,75 1,700 1,770 South West Purnea … … Contested Congress 2,040 2,878 4,918 1,669 3,709 Girdih-cum-Chatra … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — North East-Palamau … … Contested Congress 3,465 3,419 6,884 626 4,091 Central Manbhum … … Contested Non-Congress 2,539 Nil 2,539 1,973 5,379 Total of Seheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 8,654 Total ... 30,841 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 30,811 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 8,654 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 22,187

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XV APPENDIX XV (7) C. P. & BERAR

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled- Caste VotesScheduled Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Nagpur City … … … Contested Non-Congress 7,796 Nil 7,796 3,787 9,088 Nagpur-Umrer … … Contested Non-Congress 3,667 Nil 3,667 2,774 6,323 Hinganghat-Wardha … … Contested Non-Congress 2,964 262 3,226 3,093 2,964 Chanda Brahmapuri … … Contested Non-Congress 5,133 Nil 5,133 1,764 5,590 Chhindwara-Sausar … … Contested Non-Congress 1,477 Nil 1,477 4,035 4,400 Jubbulpur-Patan … … Contested Congress 473 2,017 2,490 1,198 1,671 Saugor-Khurai … … Contested Congress 2,986 Nil 2,986 1,417 5,147 Damoh-Hatta … … … Contested Congress 3,056 259 3,315 958 4,014 Narsinghpur-Gadarwara … … Contested Congress 1,023 95 1,118 480 1,503 Raipur … … … … Contested Congress 3,856 Nil 3,856 1,332 9,361 Baloda Bazar … … … Contested Congress 8,113 Nil 8,113 4,451 17,551 Bilaspur … … … … Contested Non-Congress 1,900 Nil 1,900 1,655 15,348 Mungeli … … … … Contested Non-Congress 5,357 Nil 5,357 4,730 14,045 Jangir … … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,411 Nil 2,411 3,299 17,188 Drug … … … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Bhandara-Sakoli … … Contested Non-Congress 7,916 Nil 7,916 5,197 0,309 Ellichpur-Daryapur-Melghat … Contested Non-Congress 1,697 Nil 1,697 3,086 2,532 Akola-Balapur … … … Contested Non-Congress 1,823 Nil 1,823 1,726 3,203 Yeotmal Darwha … … … Contested Non-Congress 1,150 Nil 1,150 864 1,329 Chikhli-Mehkar … … … Contested Non-Congress 2,194 Nil 2,194 2,164 3,295 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 19,507 Total ... 134,861 Total of Scheduled Caste Votes … … … … … … 134,861 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 19,507 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 115,354

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES APPENDIX XV (8) A SSAM

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Polled by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled Caste Vote PolledScheduled- Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (61 (7) (8)

Kamrup Sadr (South), General Contested Congress Nil 4,832 4,832 3,665 1,841 Nowgong (North East), General Contested Non- Congress 1,596 Nil 1,596 3,045 2,226 Jorhat (North), General … Contested Congress 457 495 952 371 828 Sunamganj, General … … Unopposed Congress — — — — — Habiganj (North), General … Contested Congress 4,863 Nil 4,863 4,397 10,356 Karimganj (East), General … Contested Non-Congress 3,252 Nil 3,252 1,119 10,252 Silchar, General … … Contested Non-Congress 2,108 Nil 2,108 2,197 2,254 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 5,320 Total ... 27,757 Total of Scheduled Caste Votes … … … … … … 27,757 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates … … 5,320 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 22,437

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XV APPENDIX XV (9) ORISSA

Name of Constituency Contested or Uncontested Party Ticket of Successful Candidate Distribution of Votes Polled by Successful Candidate Votes Potted by Unsuccessful Candidates Total Scheduled- Caste Votes PolledScheduled- Caste Votes Hindu Votes Total (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

North Cuttack Sadr … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — East Jajpur … … … Contested Congress 958 Nil 958 571 4,808 North Puri Sadr … … Contested Congress 3,416 602 4,018 339 3,755 East Bargarh … … … Unopposed Non-Congress — — — — — West Bhadrak … … … Contested Congress 1,504 Nil 1,504 734 5,049 Aska Surada … … … Contested Congress Nil 917 917 1,402 973 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Congress Candidates 5,878 Total ... 14,585 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes … … … … … … 14,585 Total of Scheduled-Caste Votes scoured by Congress Candidates … … 5,878 Scheduled-Caste Votes secured by Non-Congress Candidates … … … 8,707

APPENDIX XVI THE WAVELL PLAN

(i) White Paper presented to Parliament on 14th June 1945 by the Secretary of State for India, containing His Majesty’s Government’s Proposal relating to the Government of India.

1. During the recent visit of Field-Marshal Viscount Wavell to this country His Majesty’s Government reviewed with him a number of problems and discussed particularly the present political situation in India.

2. Members will be aware that since the offer by His Majesty’s Government to India in March 1942 there has been no further progress towards the solution of the Indian constitutional problem.

3. As was then stated, the working out of India’s new constitutional system is a task which can only be carried through by the Indian peoples themselves.

4. While His Majesty’s Government are at all times most anxious to do their utmost to assist the Indians in the working out of a new constitutional settlement, it would be a contradiction in terms to-speak of the imposition by this country of self-governing institutions upon an unwilling India. Such a thing is not possible, nor could we accept the responsibility for enforcing such institutions at the very time when we were, by its purpose, withdrawing from all control of British Indian affairs.

5. The main constitutional position remains therefore as it was. The offer of March 1942 stands in its entirety without change or qualification. His Majesty’s Government still hope that the political leaders in India may be able to come to an agreement as to the procedure whereby India’s permanent future form of government can be determined.

6. His Majesty’s Government are, however, most anxious to make any contribution that is practicable to the breaking of the political deadlock in India. While that deadlock lasts not only political but social and economic progress is being hampered.

7. The Indian administration, over-burdened with the great tasks laid upon it by the war against Japan and by the planning for the post-war period, is further strained by the political tension that exists.

8. All that is so urgently required to be done for agricultural and industrial development and for the peasants and workers of

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XVI

India cannot be carried through unless the whole-hearted cooperation of every community and section of the Indian people is forthcoming.

9. His Majesty’s Government have therefore considered whether there is something which they could suggest in this interim period, under the existing constitution, pending the formulation by Indians of their future constitutional arrangements, which would enable the main communities and parties to co-operate more closely together and with the British to the benefit of the people of India as a whole.

10. It is not the intention of His Majesty’s Government to introduce any change contrary to the wishes of the major Indian communities. But they are willing to make possible some step forward during the interim period if the leaders of the principal Indian parties are prepared to agree to their suggestions and to co-operate in the successful conclusion of the war against Japan as well as in the reconstruction in India which must follow the final victory.

11. To this end they would be prepared to see an important change in the composition of the Viceroy’s Executive. This is possible without making any change in the existing statute law except for one amendment to the Ninth Schedule to the Act of 1935. That Schedule contains a provision that not less than three members of the Executive must have had at least 10 years’ service under the Crown in India. If the proposals I am about to lay before the House meet with acceptance in India, that clause would have to be amended to dispense with that requirement.

12. It is proposed that the Executive Council should be reconstituted and that the Viceroy should in future make his selection for nomination to the Crown for appointment to his Executive from amongst leaders of Indian political life at the Centre and in the Provinces, in proportions which would give a balanced representation of the main communities, including equal proportions of Moslems and Caste Hindus.

13. In order to pursue this object, the Viceroy will call into conference a number of leading Indian politicians who are the heads of the most important parties or who have had recent experience as Prime Ministers of Provinces, together with a few others of special experience and authority. The Viceroy intends to put before this conference the proposal that the Executive Council should be reconstituted as above stated and to invite from the members of the conference a list of names. Out of these he would hope to be able to choose the future members whom he would recommend for appointment by His Majesty to the Viceroy’s Council, although the responsibility for the recommendations must of course continue to rest with him, and his freedom of choice therefore remains unrestricted.

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

14. The members of his Council who are chosen as a result of this arrangement would of course accept the position on the basis that they would whole-heartedly co-operate in supporting and carrying through the war against Japan to its victorious conclusion.

15. The members of the Executive would be Indians with the exception of the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief, who would retain his position as War Member. This is essential so long as the defence of India remains a British responsibility.

16. Nothing contained in any of these proposals will affect the relations of the Crown with the Indian States through the Viceroy as Crown Representative.

17. The Viceroy has been authorised by His Majesty’s Government to place this proposal before the Indian Leaders. His Majesty’s Government trust that the leaders of the Indian communities will respond. For the success of such a plan must depend upon its acceptance in India and the degree to which responsible Indian politicians are prepared to co-operate with the object of making it a workable interim arrangement. In the absence of such general acceptance existing arrangements must necessarily continue.

18. If such co-operation can be achieved at the Centre it will no doubt be reflected in the Provinces and so enable responsible Governments to be set up once again in those Provinces where, owing to the withdrawal of the majority party from participation, it became necessary to put into force the powers of the Governors under Section 93 of the Act of 1935. It is to be hoped that in all the Provinces these Governments would be based on the participation of the main parties, thus smoothing out communal differences and allowing Ministers to concentrate upon their very heavy administrative tasks.

19. There is one further change which, if these proposals are accepted, His Majesty’s Government suggest should follow.

20. That is, that External Affairs (other than those tribal and frontier matters which fall to be dealt with as part of the defence of India) should be placed in the charge of an Indian Member of the Viceroy’s Executive so far as British India is concerned, and that fully accredited representatives shall be appointed for the representation of India abroad.

21. By their acceptance of and co-operation in this scheme the Indian leaders will not only be able to make their immediate contribution to the direction of Indian affairs, but it is also to be hoped that their experience of co-operation in government will expedite agreement between them as to the method of working out the new constitutional arrangements.

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XVI

22. His Majesty’s Government consider, after the most careful study of the question, that the plan now suggested gives the utmost progress practicable within the present constitution. None of the changes suggested will in any way prejudice or prejudge the essential form of the future permanent constitution or constitutions for India.

23. His Majesty’s Government feel certain that given goodwill and a genuine desire to co-operate on all sides, both British and Indian, these proposals can mark a genuine step forward in the collaboration of the British and Indian peoples towards Indian self-government and can assert the rightful position, and strengthen the influence, of India in the counsels of the nations.

(ii) Broadcast Speech by His Excellency the Viceroy at New Delhi on 14th June 1945.

I have been authorised by His Majesty’s Government to place before Indian political leaders proposals designed to ease the present political situation and to advance India towards her goal of full self-government. These proposals are at the present moment being explained to Parliament by the Secretary of State for India. My intention in this broadcast is to explain to you the proposals, the ideas underlying them, and the method by which I hope to put them into effect. This is not an attempt to obtain or impose a constitutional settlement. His Majesty’s Government had hoped that the leaders of the Indian parties would agree amongst themselves on a settlement of the communal issue, which is the main stumbling-block; but this hope has not been fulfilled. In the meantime, India has great opportunities to be taken and great problems to be solved, which require a common effort by the leading men of all parties. I therefore propose, with the full support of His Majesty’s Government, to invite Indian leaders both of Central and Provincial politics to take counsel with me with a view to the formation of a new Executive Council more representative of organised political opinion. The proposed new Council would represent the main communities and would include equal proportions of Caste Hindus and Moslems. It would work, if formed, under the existing Constitution. But it would be an entirely Indian Council, except for the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief, who would retain his position as War Member. It is also proposed that the portfolio of External Affairs, which has hitherto been held by the Viceroy, should be placed in charge of an Indian Member of Council, so far as the interests of British India are concerned.

A further step proposed by His Majesty’s Government is the appointment of a British High Commissioner in India, as in the

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

Dominions, to represent Great Britain’s Commercial and other such interests in India.

Such a new Executive Council will, you realise, represent a definite advance on the road to self-government. It will be almost entirely Indian, and the Finance and Home Members will for the first time be Indians, while an Indian will also be charged with the management of India’s Foreign Affairs. Moreover Members will now be selected by the Governor-General after consultation with political leaders; though their appointment will of course be subject to the approval of His Majesty the King-Emperor. The Council will work within the framework of the present constitution ; and there can be no question of the Governor-General agreeing not to exercise his constitutional power of control; but it will of course not be exercised unreasonably.

I should make it clear that the formation of this interim Government will in no way prejudice the final constitutional settlement.

The main tasks for this New Executive Council would be : First, to prosecute the war against Japan with the utmost energy till Japan is utterly defeated.

Secondly, to carry on the Government of British India, with all the manifold tasks of post-war development in front of it, until a new permanent constitution can be agreed upon and come into force. Thirdly, to consider, when the Members of the Goverment think it possible, the means by which such agreement can be achieved. The third task is most important. I want to make it quite clear that neither I nor His Majesty’s Government have lost sight of the need for a long-term solution, and that the present proposals are intended to make a long-term solution easier.

I have considered the best means of forming such a Council; and have decided to invite the following to Viceregal Lodge to advise me:

Those now holding office as Premier in a Provincial Government ; or, for Provinces now under Section 93 Government, those who last held the office of Premier.

The Leader of the Congress Party and the Deputy Leader of the Muslim League in the Central Assembly; the leader of the Congress Party and the Muslim League in the Council of State; also the leaders of the Nationalist Party and the European Group in the Assembly.

Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jinnah as the recognised leaders of the two main political parties.

Rao Bahadur N. Siva Raj to represent the Scheduled Classes. Master Tara Singh to represent the Sikhs.

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XVI

Invitations to these gentlemen are being handed to them today and it is proposed to assemble the Conference on 25th June at Simla where we shall be cooler than at Delhi.

I trust that all those invited will attend the Conference and give me their help. On me and on them will lie a heavy responsibility in this fresh attempt to make progress towards a final settlement of India’s future. If the meeting is successful, I hope that we shall be able to agree on the formation of the new Executive Council at the Centre. I also hope that it will be possible for Ministries to re-assume office and again undertake the tasks of government in the Provinces now administered under Section 93 of the Constitution Act and that these Ministries will be coalitions.

If the meeting should unfortunately fail, we must carry on as at present until the parties are ready to come together. The existing Executive Council, which has done such valuable work for India, will continue it if other arrangements cannot be agreed.

But I have every hope that the meeting will succeed, if the party leaders will approach the problem with the sincere intention of working with me and with each other. I can assure them that there is behind this proposal a most genuine desire on the part of all responsible leaders in the United Kingdom and of the British people as a whole to help India towards her goal. I bel eve that this is more than a step towards that goal, it is a considerable stride forward, and a stride on the right path. I should make it clear that these proposals affect British India only and do not make any alteration in the relations of the Princes with the Crown Representative.

With the approval of His Majesty’s Government, and after consultation with my Council, orders have been given for the immediate release of the members of the Working Committee of Congress who are still in detention. I propose to leave the final decision about the others still under detention as the result of the 1942 disturbances to the new Central Government, if formed, and to the Provincial Governments. The appropriate time for fresh elections for the Central and Provincial Legislatures will be discussed at the Conference.

Finally, I would ask you all to help in creating the atmosphere of goodwill and mutual confidence that is essential if we are to make progress. The destiny of this great country and of the many millions who live in it depend on the wisdom and good understanding of the leaders, both of action and of thought, British and Indian, at this critical moment of India’s history.

India’s military reputation never stood higher in the world than it does at present; thanks to the exploits of her sons drawn from all parts of the country. Her representatives at International

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

conferences have won high regard for their statesmanlike attitude. Sympathy for India’s aspirations and progress towards prosperity was never greater or more widespread. We have thus great assets if we can use them wisely. But it will not be easy, it will not be quick ; there is very much to do, there are many pitfalls and dangers. There is on all sides something to forgive and forget. I believe in the future of India, and as far as in me lies will further her greatness. I ask you all for your co-operation and goodwill. (iii) Mr. Gandhi’s Statement.

As soon as I read the broadcast, I sent a wire to His Excellency the Viceroy drawing his attention to the fact that I have no locus standi as the “recognized representative of the Congress.” That function belongs to the President of the Congress or whoever is appointed to represent the Congress on a particular occasion. For several years, I have acted unofficially as an adviser to the Congress whenever required. The public will remember that I went with the same unrepresentative character for my talks with the Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah, and I can take up no other position with the British Government, in this instance represented by the Viceroy. There is one aspect of the Viceregal broadcast which certainly offends my ear and, I hope, will offend that of every politicallyminded Hindu. I refer to the expression “caste Hindus.” I claim that there is no such person, speaking politically, as a “Caste Hindu,” let alone the Congress which seeks to represent the whole of India which is yearning after political independence. Does Veer Savarkar or Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Hindu Mahasabha represent caste Hindus ? Do they not represent all Hindus without distinction of caste ? Do they not include the so-called untouchables ? Do they themselves claim to be caste Hindus ? I hope not. Of all politicallyminded Hindus, I know that even the revered Pandit Malaviyaji, though he observes caste distinction, will refuse to be called a caste Hindu, as distinguished from the other Hindus. Modern tendency in Hinduism is to abolish all caste distinctions and this I maintain in spite of my knowledge of reactionary elements in Hindu society. I can only hope, therefore, that the Viceroy has allowed himself to make use of the expression in utter ignorance. I want to acquit him of knowingly wounding the susceptibilities of the Hindu society or dividing it. I would not have dwelt on this matter but for the fact that it touches the political mind of Hindus in its sensitive spot and carries with it political repercussions.

The proposed conference can do much useful work if it is put in its proper political setting and is at the very outset rendered immune from any fissiparous tendency. Undoubtedly all invitees might

WHAT CONGRESS AND GANDHI HAVE DONE TO THE UNTOUCHABLES : APPENDIX XVI

appear as Indians conjointly bent on achieving India’s natural goal and not as persons representing several sections of Indian society. That is how I have viewed the Bhulabhai-Liaquat Ali understanding which I suppose laid the foundations for the forthcoming Viceregal conference. Sri Bhulabhai Desai’s proposal has no such colouring as the Viceregal broadcast would seem to have. I am not ashamed of the part I have played in advising Sri Bhulabhai Desai when he consulted me about his proposal. Sri Bhulabhai Desai’s proposal, as I understood it, attracted me as one interested in solving the communal tangle, and I assured him that I would use my influence with the members of the Working Committee and give reasons for acceptance of his proposal and I have no doubt that, if both parties to the proposal correctly represent their constituents and have independence of India as their common goal, things must shape well.

At this point, I must stop and the Working Committee has to take up the thread. It is for its members to declare the Congress mind on the impending questions.— A.P.I.

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