86. 10-5-1943 स्वराज्य कामगारांच्या हातात असू शकते

SWARAJ COULD BE IN HANDS OF LABOUR

“The utter hollowness and the superficiality of the present Labour Movement in India was deplored by the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Labour Member to the Government of India, at a tea party given in his honour by the Bombay Presidency Committee of the Indian Federation of Labour, on Monday evening the 10th May 1943.

Maniben Kara welcomed Dr. Ambedkar and said that it was to be regretted that there was schism in the Labour Movement. She paid tribute to the ameliorative work done by Dr. Ambedkar within the short period since he took up the reigns of office as Labour Member.

Dr. Ambedkar in reply advised the Labour leaders present to sink their differences and present a united front against capitalism.

Dr. Ambedkar referred to the growth of the Labour Movement in Britain and traced how it had captured the reigns of Government twice wresting power from the hands of the ever-dominant Tories.

It was an example for the Indian Labour Movement to emulate.

He urged the need for the formation of a United Labour Party in this country, on the model of the British Labour Party. In conclusion, Dr. Ambedkar said that if Democracy in England had failed, it was because it was in the hands of the Tories. It was, therefore, important in whose hands Swaraj would be.

He exhorted the Labour leaders of India to see that when Swaraj came it could be in the hands of Indian Labour.” 1 zz 1 : The Bombay Chronicle : dated 11 th May 1943.

QUALIFY FOR ENJOYING THE RIGHTS

“The Scheduled Castes Federation gave a reception to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Member, Viceroy’s Executive Council, at the open plot near Gokuldas Pasta Road, Dadar this evening the 5th December 1943. Mr. B. V. Jadhav presided. Dr. B. R. Ambedar was garlanded on behalf of many Backward Classes organisations.

Replying to felicitations Dr. B. R. Ambedkar gave a review of his activities as a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council and the efforts he had made to get equal status with the Muslims and Hindus and a greater number of seats in the legislatures, for the Scheduled Castes. He also revealed that he had been able to get a sum rupees of three lakhs from the Government for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes. After exhorting the audience to join in big numbers the Federation which alone could fight for their political rights, he asked them to educate themselves, unite for the common good, and qualify for enjoying the rights they were claiming.” 1 zz 1 : The Bombay Chronicle : 6th December 1943.