परिशिष्ट—IV : जगजीवन राम यांच्या मुलाखती,

APPENDIX—IV INTERVIEWS OF JAGJIWAN RAM, RADHANATH DAS AND PRITHVI SINGH BEFORE CABINET MISSION

“Jagjivan Ram, Radhanath Das and Prithvi Singh Azad attended together as representatives of the All India Depressed Classes’ League. They said that the League was opposed to any proposal which would impain the integrity of the country ; that, in its view, the division of India into Pakistan and Hindustan would not provide a solution to the minority problem but would produce fresh problems; that it was also opposed to the setting up of more than one constituent assembly. The new consitution should contain provisions for the safeguarding of the language, culture, etc., of the minorities and the rights and interests of the Scheduled Castes. With regard to the interim Government, the Depressed Classes’ League was opposed to weightage being given to any community by depriving another community of its legitimate shares; but if it were decided to give weightage, the Scheduled Castes should also be given weightage. The interim Government should be responsible to the legislature the defence, finance, and foreign affairs should be handed over to the Cabinet, whose members should be elected by the various provincial legislatures. Special provision should be made for the representation of the minority communities, and Scheduled Castes members of the provincial assemblies should form an electoral college to select persons for inclusion in the Central Government.

Jagjivan Ram said that the difference between the Scheduled Castes Federation (led by Dr. Ambedkar) and the Depressed Classes’ league was that, whereas the Federation held that the Scheduled Castes were not Hindus but a religious minority of their own, the League held that the Scheduled Castes masses considered themselves Hindus and that they had sacrificed much for the cause of Hinduism. The Depressed Classes League pressed for special representation in the legislature and in the services in order to enable the Scheduled Castes to raise themselves to the level of the rest of the country.” 1 (The transfer of Power in India, pp. 244-45). zz 1: Quoted, Khairmode, Vol. 8, Pp. 64-65.

APPENDIX—V POONA SATYAGRAHA SATYAGRAHIS ARRESTED

Followers of the Scheduled Castes Federation in the Bombay Province launched their “non-violent Satyagraha” to-day in Poona to protest against the “injustice done to them by the British Cabinet proposal’s which is the result of Congress machinations.”

The first batch of six “ Satyagrahis”— four women and two men — were arrested this morning opposite the Council hall for violating the Poona District Magistrate’s order and staging a demonstration in front of the Council Hall. The arrested persons include Mrs. Shantabai Dani, a member of the Working Committee of the Scheduled Castes’ Federation from Nasik, and Mrs. Gitabai Gaikwad, wife of Mr. B. K. Gaikwad, President of the Bombay Branch of the Federation. Just before the Assembly session began these six Satyagrahis entered the Council Hall compound, evading the police who were guarding the entrances in the compound and immediately on entering took out black flags from their pockets and shouted slogans of “Down with British Imperialism.” “Down with Congress” and “Scrap the Poona pact.” Two further batches of eight ladies and six men were later arrested at about 1 p. m. at the entrance of the compound wall. Almost at the same time as the first batch of “Satyagrahis” were staging their demonstration, a big procession of Scheduled Castes, which stated with the intention of going to the Council Hall and breaking the District Magistrate’s order, was being stopped near the War Memorial, on the Station Road at a chalk line marked to indicate the half mile distance from the Council Hall. According to the District Magistrate’s order no procession is allowed in the area half a mile from the Council Hall.

The procession started at about 10 a. m. from the “Satyagraha” camp at Baba Jan Chowk and marched in files of four and five. It was headed by Mr. B. K. Gaikwad, President of the Bombay

Provincial Scheduled Castes Federation Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, General Secretary of the Federation and Mr. R. R. Bhole, a former Member of the Bombay Assembly, Young girls and Women in the front carried black flags and the Federation flag. After wending its way along a circuitous route of about one and a half miles, the procession arrived at about 11 a.m. at the “boundary line” near the War Memorial. Lathi armed police numbering over hundred and police officers, including Mr. E. A. Dodwell, A. S. P., Mr. J. Crone, Dy. S. P., and Mr. F. D. Roach, Dy. S. P., were waiting there and immediately stopped the procession. The processionists squatted on the ground shouting Scheduled Castes Federation and other slogans. After remaining thus for about two hours, they decided to return back to the camp, and marched along the Wellesley Road back to the “ Satyagraha” camp.

The processionists on arriving at the camp held a meeting and congratulated those who were arrested by the police. Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, addressing the meeting, said that a beginning of their “freedom struggle” had been made today. The scheduled Castes, he said, were fully awake and they would not rest till they achieve their end. To-day’s Satyagraha was the beginning of a countrywide movement. Mr. B. K. Gaikwad announced that the procession of “Satyagrahis” would be taken out tomorrow and every day thereafter.

The District Magistrate of Poona has issued an order to-day prohibiting carrying of sticks, knives, stones or any other missiles within the area under the Poona City Municipality, Poona suburban municipality and the Poona Cantonment Board. The order will be in force for seven days from July 15.

It is understood that the above precaution is being taken in order to avoid any untoward incidents and breach of peace and order which might happen due to the “ Satyagraha” movement of the Scheduled Castes Federation.” 1 1: Jai Bheem, August 13, 1946, p. 7.

S. C. F. “ SATYAGRAHIS” JAILED

One hundred and fourteen more Scheduled Castes Satyagrahis, who were arrested yesterday, were sent to jail today, bringing the total number of Satyagrahis under imprisonment since the commencement to 124. Today’s batch of 114 included 13 women who were asked to pay fine of Rs. 25 each or undergo in default 15 day’s simple imprisonment. The women preferred to go to jail. Of the 101 men Satyagrahis, 37 were awarded a fine of Rs. 30 or in default one month’s simple imprisonment and the remaining 64 a fine of Rs. 50 or in default two months simple imprisonment. All of them refused to pay the fine. The trial took place in the Yeravada Jail where the demonstrators were placed in custody.

A statement charging the British Government and Congress with having betrayed the interests of the Schedule Castes was read out in the court during the trial on behalf of the arrested.

The Congress, the statement said, which styed itself as a deomocratic body had betrayed their community at the time of the Poona Pact and also during the Cripps proposals and the British Cabinet proposals. The result of joint electorates agreed to by the Poona Pact were proved during the recent provincial elections when candidates having the Predominant support of Scheduled Castes were defeated and Congress “puppets” got elected on Caste Hindu votes. The organisers of the Satyagraha also took out a procession from the Satyagraha Camp at Baba Jan Chowk. The procession was stopped by the police at the Railway Goods Depot on the Wellesley Road at a distance of half a mile from the Council Hall.

The processionists were addressed by Mr. G. H. Kale, M.L.A. (Bombay) who exhorted them to carry on their campaign till they won their fight. Mr. Kale said that he was in full sympathy with their demands.

More Arrests The “Satyagraha ” campaign launched by the Scheduled Castes Federation is continuing for the third day today. Batches of five and ten were seen shouting slogans and waving black flages opposite the Council Hall, in defiance of the orders of the Districts Magistrate.

The police had by 2 p.m. when the Assembly session began today, arrested about 50 demonstrators, including two women. Fifth Day of Satyagraha Campaign S. C. F. Volunteers Arrested Restriction On Civil Liberty Deplored Demonstration by the Scheduled Castes volunteers opposite the Council Hall were continued today the fifth day of the Satyagraha Campaign. Within an hour the police guarding the entrance to the Council Hall compound arrested nearly 70 volunteers.

Volunteers came in batches of four and five in drizzling rain and shouted slogans outside the compound of the Council Hall. The trial was held this morning at the Yeravada Jail of the 122 Satyagrahis who were arrested yesterday for the defiance of the ban. The Additional City Magistrate sentenced all of them to pay fines ranging from Rs. 25 to Rs. 50 or in default to suffer simple imprisonment ranging from 15 days to 60 days. The 13 women volunteers came in for the lighter sentences. The Federation leaders in Poona, Mr. B. K. Gaikwad, Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj and Mr. R. R. Bhole told the District Magistrate of Poona, at a meeting called by the Magistrate yesterday, that they could not accept any conditional offer for carrying on their Satyagraha and their protest against the injustice done to them by the British Government and the ban imposed by the Congress Government on taking out processions and staging demonstrations in an area of half a mile from the Council Hall would continue. The ban, they said, was a restriction on the cherished civil liberties of the masses. Fresh batches of volunteers who have offered to take part in the Satyagraha are on their way to Poona from different parts of the province according to the organisers of the Satyagraha. They say

that there would be no paucity of volunteers for the Satyagraha and that they were prepared to continue their struggle till they achieved their aim.

Demonstrations Outside C. P.* Assembly 10,000 people including some 500 women, predominently members of the Scheduled Castes Federation held demonstrations outside the C. P. Assembly when it met today to elect its quota of 17 representatives to the Constituent Assembly. The demonstrators shouted “Boycott Constituent Assembly” Down with Congress Ministry,” “Boycott Harijan M. L. A.’s and “Revoke the Poona Pact.”

The demonstration was a protest against the Cabinet Mission’s proposals and the demonstrators who carried black flags were peaceful.

“Times on India Debate ”

Britain may, and indeed must do all in her power to ensure that the interests of the minorities are fairly represented before the Advisory Committee which the Constituent Assembly will appoint but a decision on the justice of their claims, in spite of Mr. Churchill’s eloquent appeal yesterday, no longer rest with this country. British statesmen are fully entitled to press as the Secretary of State and other speakers did for generous treatment of such minority interests as organisation representing the Depressed Classes. But it is of the essence of Indian new status that the responsibility for settling this and other similar issues now rests with Indians themselves. Insincerity of Cabinet Delegation “I am surprised at the statement of Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr. Alexander with reference to the Scheduled Castes in the House of Commons,” says N. Sivaraj, President of the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation, in a Press interview to-day.

He adds : Having committed the crime in conspiracy with the Congress of stabbing the Depressed Classes in the back and of

*Central Provinces.

completely annihilating them politically they want to cover it by committing the worse crime of misleading the British Parliament and the British Public by a misstatement of fact that a large majority of the Scheduled Castes are with the Congress. It has been established in the primary elections that the Scheduled Castes Federation alone commands the support of the Depressed Classes in spite of the many obstacles thrown by the Caste Hindus in its way. In their anxiety to appease the Congress and win it over for their own ends the Cabinet Delegation have quietly let the Depressed Classes down to whom all these years they have pledged protection and safeguards. I am prepared to submit to any finding by any impartial international tribunal as to whether the Scheduled Castes follow Dr. Ambedkar or Mr. Gandhi. Surely the Cabinet Delegation have not fallen a victim to the latest stunt of Mr. Gandhi in staying in Bhangi Colonies. I am rather tempted to say that the whole thing was a Prearranged affair between Mr. Gandhi and the Cabinet Delegation particularly Sir Stafford Cripps.” 1 II NAGPUR-SATYAGRAHA “Jai-Bheem” my name, “S.C.F.” my Caste, “Dalitsthan” my abode Sensational answers by C. P. Satyagrahis 243 members of the C. P. Scheduled Castes Federation including 6 women and 9 boys were arrested on 12th September 1946. Following their demonstration when the Central Provinces Legislative Assembly met to discuss the Provincial Budget in detail. The demonstrators adopted a novel method of answering the questions by Police Officers while their charge sheets were being prepared. They stated that “Jai Bheem” was their name, their caste was “Scheduled Castes Federation” and “Dalitsthan” was their residence.

1 Jai Bheem, August 13, 1946, P. 8.

Arrests mounting 262 persons were arrested on the 13th in connection with the Scheduled Castes Federation’s demonstrations. The arrested persons include 14 women and 9 boys. One demonstrator evaded police pickets, but was later arrested in the outer verandah of the Assembly Building when he was found loitering in a suspicious manner. 203 Arrests on the 4th September Members of the Scheduled Castes Federation in Nagpur continued their Satyagraha on the 4th September for the second day on the seven roads leading to the C. P. Assembly Building. During the day 203 men and 20 women courted arrest having been stopped by the Magistrates and police officers from going towards the main entrances of Assembly building. All men and women who were arrested will be summarily tried for violation of order under Section 144 Cr. P. C. which is in force in Nagpur prohibiting taking out processions without licence. Eighteen minor boys who joined the Satyagraha were let off. Some of the men earned their small beddings to use the same in jail. Most of arrested men raised slogans accusing British Government and Congress Ministry of betraying interests of Scheduled Castes and praising Dr. Ambedkar, our leader. 1 III LUCKNOW SATYAGRAHA U. P. Scheduled Castes Fight for Their Rights Police Lathi Charge on Peaceful Satyagrahis Rajbhoj and Tilakchand Arrested The Satyagraha started by the U. P. Scheduled Castes Federation took a serious turn when the Caste Hindu Policemen behaved indecently with the Untouchable women Satyagrahis. Conseuent 1: Jai Bheem, 16 September 1946, P. 7.

on the inhuman treatment towards the Satyagrahis in general and the women Satyagrahis in particular by the Congress ministry in Power Mr. Rajbhoj, the General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation took up the lead of the Satyagraha movement and was arrested on the 18th April Mr. Tilakchand Kureel, President of the U. P. S. C. F. was also arrested. The news regarding the Satyagraha we had published in our last issue under U. P. S. C. F. Satyagraha diary. Here is a brief day to day report of the above Satyagraha. April 14th, 1947 148 Satyagrahis were arrested with three leaders namely Dadasaheb Fullidasji, working committee member of the S. C. F. and Municipal Commissioner of Cawnpur, Mrs. Fullidas and Mr. Totaram, the President of the S. C. F. Women Satyagrahis entered into the Assembly chamber and made the working of the Assembly impossible for more than 15 minutes. The ladies were insulted, and fists were used to oust the ladies by the Caste-Hindu police. The bangles of the ladies were broken. The enraged women Satyagrahis slapped some of the intruders who were insulting them. The ladies went there with babies in their arms to offer Satyagraha. This news has been blackout completely by the Caste Hindu Papers in Lucknow. In this clash two women were injured. Mr. Rajbhoj addresses the Satyagrahis April 17th, 1947 The Satyagraha of the Scheduled Castes Federation of the U. P. entered into fourteenth day. One big batch, numbering one hundred, hailed from different districts, i.e. Jhansi, Agra, Hamirpur, and Lucknow, and 20 women Satyagrahis, with babies in their arms, courted arrest. While proceeding towards the Council House, the Satyagrahis were detained at Hussainganj and later on they were arrested. Before the starting of the Satyagrah, the Satyagrahis were addressed by Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, the General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation at the Satyagrah camp in Ahiaganj under the presidentship of Mr. Tilakchand Kureel, the Chairman of the U. P. S. C. Federation. In the course of his

speech, the General Secretary narrated the pathetic and heart-rendering stories of social injustice by the Caste-Hindus under the direct nose of the Caste-Hindu Congress Ministry upon the innocent and the age-long-tyrannised Scheduled Castes people in the Hindu Villages. Quoting the instances of the inhuman tyranny, he told the audience that four people have been burnt in Aligarh district, 12 poor Scheduled Castes men were shot down in Meerut district, a number of houses were set on fire in Hardoi District and Jalwan District. Not a single day passes when these unfortunate Scheduled Castes people were not kicked or killed by the Caste Hindus. Still no M.L.A. of the Untouchables who claimed to represent their own community people did raise any voice in the Assembly. Their tongues have been sealed for ever. How a slave like Untouchable could speak against their tyranny of their own Hindu Masters? Any word from them might deprive them to get a seat in a Brahminic Swarga (Heaven). The number of M.L.A. was twenty. Still there was no voice against the inhuman treatment of Caste Hindus. The other day, the speaker continued, the women demonstrators from the Scheduled Castes were insulted and thrown away by the Hindus Congress Ministry police. A number of them were injured. Still no news appeared in the Caste Hindu paper. No action was taken against the offenders by the higher authorities. No M. L. A. of down trodden community moved any sort of adjournment motion in the Assembly. That was all the result of the “Poona Pact”, which gave the joint electorate system in place of the Separate Electorates system to the Scheduled Castes who saved the life of Mr. M. K. Gandhi from his mischievous fast unto death in 1932. Time was a great factor. It would prove the justice before the educated world. Had any Caste. Hindu woman been assaulted by the same police, the Caste Hindu newspapers would have created a great habub and they would have moved the Heaven and the Earth.

The population on the Scheduled Castes people in U. P. was more than 33 percent Scheduled Castes People are represented in no Govt. Services in U. P. No representation in the Executive, Judiciary and in Educational departments. The condition of the

Scheduled Castes in India is worse than the Negroes in America and Jews in Germany and Palastine. The question was not concerned with a few only but it was concerned with crores of Untouchables in India. Concluding his speech he quoted the message of Dr. Ambedkar. He explained to the public that “The Scheduled Castes must resolve that in a Free India of the future they would be a ruling race. They should refuse to continue to play a role of subservience or accept a position in which they could be treated as servants to masters.

Tilakchand And Rajbhoj Arrested April 18th, 1947 Today the Satyagraha was in it’s fifteenth day. Mr. Rajbhoj, the General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation, courted arrest with seventy five Satyagrahis hailed from Agra, Aligarh, Cawnpur, Tundala and Lucknow. The arrest of the chief Dictator Mr. Tilakchand Kuriel last night by the Government at Satyagrah camp encouraged the Scheduled Castes people in Lucknow and in the whole of the province. Hundreds are pouring into Lucknow to court arrest before the Council house. Even the ladies are not lagging behind the male Satyagrahis. There are instances where the Untouchable mothers are sending their sons, the sisters, are sending their brothers to court arrest.

Before the arrest Mr. Rajbhoj appointed Badalooram Sonkar from Cawnpur as the 2nd dictator of the Satyagrah of the U. P. in Lucknow.

Prior to his departure for courting arrest before the Council House, he gave the following message to the Scheduled Castes of the U. P. in particular and all over India in general.

“I may say that the treatment of the Australian Bushman by the colonisers that of the Negroes by the klu klux klan and of the Jows by the Nazis is less heinous than the sufferings of the Scheduled Castes who were subjected to in the name of religion caste and the like by the Hindus. It is nothing but a slow poisoning to us.

Is the lesson now clear to, us that for everything in the future we must depend on our own strength, resources and courage ? We have to fight our battles single handed; often times it may be a case of the Scheduled Castes versus the Rest. We have asked and asked and it was not given. We have knocked and knocked and was not opened. May be we have to break the doors open and take what we want and what is our due. Thus I foresee very difficult times ahead for our people.

To cope with this we must be united and strong of one mind and of one voice. I appeal to all our brethren, even those who stay away from us, to come together under one roof and to demand with one voice, and to fight together under one banner . . . . . . .

But we must organise and unite. Fight on we must, and fight we will, fight every inch of the ground, fight along the line and every one that stands in our way. The present struggle in U. P. is to have the equal human rights in political, social and economic India. I had no idea of participating in the Satyagraha of the Scheduled Castes Federation of U. P. The inhuman treatment and insult to our women Satyagrahis before the Hindu-Congress Ministry compelled me to participate in this Holy Struggle. Until and unless the revenge of this insult is taken no Scheduled Castes people will sit silently. Now the time has come that under the leadership of the Reverred Dr. Ambedkar either we should die in achieving our final goal or do whatever we can. I appeal to the Satyagrahis to remain non-violent in their actions.

In the end I appeal to all the Scheduled Castes Federation branches except the U. P. S. C. F. not to send any batches to Lucknow as this Satyagraha will remain only until the present session U. P. Assembly. U. P. S. C. F. is alone strong enough to conduct the Satyagraha to the end.” April 19th, 1947 The 16th day of the Satyagraha.

Four batches from different parts courted arrest. First and second batches were arrested near Zanda Park and Ameenabad. Third and fourth batches which include four ladies were arrested near Kaisor Baugh. The batches were led by

Messrs Joharilal, Sewaram, Gopichand, Bijipat Ramjee Basti. The ‘Harijan’ Minister Mr. Girdharilal accompanied by the City Magistrate persuaded the Satyagrahis to stop Satyagraha but soon came to know what little respect he could command from his community people.” 1 S. C. Satyagraha Continues in U. P.

April 21st, 1947 Today the Satyagraha entered into 27th day. Upto this time 1285 Satyagrahis have been arrested. The Satyagrahis are pouring from different districts of the Province. Agra, Aligarh, and Cawnpore are laeding.

The first batch of 35 led by Mr. Kesarlal from Agra were arrested near the Chauk bazar. This batch includes 17 ladies also. When the Satyagrahis reached the Chauk Bajar, Police whose number was more than the Satyagrahis, made a lathi charge upon the non-voilent and peaceful Satyagrahis, as a result of which the Dictator Mr. Kesar Lal along with his daughter was seriously injured. One other Satyagrahi namely Mr. Baboolal also received serious injuries upon his head. He fell on the ground and became unconcious. The police removed him in that condition to the police station nearby. 2nd batch of 46 led by Sarvadanandji were arrested near the Kaisarbagh. Third and Fourth of 25 each were arrested near Aminabad. These batches were led by Mr. Rajaram and Ramjilal. Fifth batch of 23 were arrested near Lotuche Road. This was led by Mr. Walchandji from Agra.

There is a great resentment about the police lathi-charge amongst the Scheduled Castes people.

The news about the bad treatment and keeping Mr. Rajbhoj, the General Secretary of All India Scheduled Castes Federation, Mr. Tilakchand Kuriel the President of the U. P. Scheduled Castes Federation and other leaders like Mr. Gopichand from Agra and 1 : Jai Bheem, 27 April 1947, P. 1 and 7.

Mr. Fullidas from Cawnpur, in C Class is causing provocation and resentment amongst the Untouchables of the Province. The Untouchables are now imagining the future Ramrajya in which they will be real slaves of the Caste Hindus. April 22nd, 1947 Today there was a great commotion amongst the Scheduled Castes due to the lathi-charge of the Police on previous day near Chauk. The Assembly was reopened today after three day’s adjournment. Instead of demonstrating in the city the Scheduled Castes Satyagrahis demonstrated before the Council House. The first batch of 30 including 7 ladies, led by Mr. Jodharam from Cawnpore were arrsted while on the way. The second batch of 32 of Agra led by Swami Harinandji were arrested before the Council House. Third batch of 40 including 4 women Satyagrahis were arrested near Hajaratganj. The main slogans of the Satyagrahis were the following :—

1. Down with the Caste Hindu-Congress !

2. Down with the Begar system !

3. Do or die, must have the Separate Electorates !

4. Down with the Pant Ministry !

5. Down with the ‘Harijan M. L. A.s of the U. P. Assembly’!

It is very strange that the important news of our Satyagraha movement is not published by the Caste Hindu press. The statement issued by the General Secretary of All India Scheduled Castes Federation Mr. Rajbhoj, before his arrest, was also not published. All the leaders are kept in the C class. They are not allowed to read the news papers even. Let the Caste Hindu papers understand that by not publishing the news in their newspapers they cannot cow down the spirit of the Scheduled Castes. By doing in this way they are only cheating themselves and their own people. The day is reaching very fast when the common Hindu will be thrown into a great confusion to see the great bitter awakening of the Scheduled Castes people all over India.

The total number of arrests upto date is 1387 . Today the number of arrests was 102.” 1 U. P. S. C. F. Satyagaha Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj Sentenced for 6 months R. I. Lucknow, Saturday Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, Ganeral Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes’ Federation was convicted and sentenced yesterday to six months’ imprisonment by the City Magistrate, Mr. B. D. Sanwal, under Section 138 IPC for defying the District Magistrate’s order banning processions and causing apprehension of breach of peace.

Mr. Gopichand Pipal, another Scheduled Caste Leader was sentenced to * months rigorous imprisonment on a similar charge. Mr, Tilak Chand Kuril, President of the U. P. Scheduled Castes Federation, was directed by the Magistrate to furnish two sureties of rupees five hundred each to keep peace for six months.

“The Magistrate acquitted about sixty women and children who had been arrested in connection with the Satyagraha in Lucknow with a warning.—A.P.I.” 2 zz 1: Jai Bheem, 4th May 1947, P. 2.

2: Jai Bheem, 25th May 1947, P. 2.

* Figure is not traceable—Editors.