WAR WITH GANDHI

Congressmen gave at this juncture another proof of theirpolicy of tolerance and truth for outsiders and hatred andintolerance for non-Congressmen and non-Muslim leaders!Ambedkar paid a visit to Ahmedabad to look into the arrange-ments of the new Boarding which he had started for untouch-able students. At the station the Congressmen of Ahmedabadgreeted him with black flags.

Just at this time the names of the delegates to Lhe secondsession of the Round Table Conference were announced in the

third week of July. Ambedkar, Sastri, Sapru, Jayakar, Setalvad,Malaviya, Sarojini Naidu, Gandhi, Mirza Ismail, Jinnah,Ramaswami Mudaliar and others were invited to attend the

Conference in London. Ambedkar was purposely dropped outfrom the Federal Structure Committee at the first session of the

Round Table Conference. His patriotic mind and his fearlessadvocacy for the common man and democracy had given theBritishers an offence. But this time he was selected on the

Federal Structure Committee, which was vitally connectedwith the drafting of the new constitution for India.

Congratulations were showered from all quarters of Indiaand even from England on Ambedkar. Newspapers from theopposite camp also began to appreciate his patriotism, his lovefor democracy and his anxiety for the welfare of the commonman. The Kolaba Samachar, a district paper of note, whichwas hostile to him in mailers of social reforms, expressed adebt of gratitude to Ambedkar for the patriotic service he hadrendered to the country in the Chirner Trial. It recalled hisservices at the time of the visit of the Simon Commission and

at the first session of the Round Table Conference ; and it

added that Ambedkar was a true patriot and would fight tobreak the shackles of the country and help others do so at thesecond session of the Round Table Conference.

The Indian Daily Mail, congratulating the Doctor upon hisnomination to the Federal Structure Committee, paid a glowingtribute to Ambedkar. It said: "He is a patriot and is vitallyinterested in securing self-government. In the future discus-sions, which will centre on the franchise of the Senate and the

Federal Assembly, this brilliant representative of the DepressedGlasses is certain to play a most important part."

The Sunday Chronicle, the Kesari, and several other news-

164 DR. AMBEDKAR : L1 IE AND MISSION

papers expressed satisfaction at the nomination o£ Ambedkar.Congratulating the Doctor and N. M. Joshi, the Journal of theServants of India Society observed: "Being drawn from thehumble ranks of the society, one representing the labour classesand the other the Depressed Classes, they are necessarilystrangers to f high politics

,

as they are understood in this coun-try. They have the simple faith of the simple folk whose causethey have espoused, and they will not be deterred by the superiorsmile of the eminent personages surrounding them, from insis-ting on the literal application of certain principles which theyhave been taught to hold as inviolable." A little before thisthe London representative of the Free Press Journal, a leadingnationalist daily in Bombay, in his reply to Miss Mayo hadeulogised the services which Ambedkar had rendered at thefirst session of the Round Table Conference, and said that

Ambedkar was a fearless, independent and patriotic-mindedleader whose fearlessness was unbearable to both Hindus and

Muslims, and that his opening speech at the first session of theRound Table Conference was the best speech in the wholeproceedings of the Conference.

It was not decided as yet whether Gandhi would attend theRound Table Conference. Naturally all eyes were focussed onManibhuvan at the Malabar Hill in Bombay, owing to themysterious suspense created by Gandhi

*

s stagecraft and state-craft. In the bustle and hurry Gandhi wanted lo soundAmbedkar as to his demands. So Gandhi wrote to Ambedkar

on August 6, 1931, informing him that he would come to seethe latter at eight o,clock that night if Ambedkar couldspare the time. Gandhi added that he would gladly come overto Ambedkar,s residence, if it was inconvenient to Ambedkar

to come to him. Ambedkar had just arrived from Sangli, andwas running a temperature. He wrote in reply that he wouldhimself go to Gandhi at eight o,clock that night. But in theevening the temperature soared to 10(i; so Ambedkar sent amessage that he uould come aficr the fever abated.

Ambedkar went to meet Gandhi on August 14, at Mani-bhuvan, at two in the afternoon. A batch of his lieutenants,Deorao Naik, Shiuarkar, Pradhan, Bhaurao Gaikwad and

Kadrekar, accompanied him. When Ambedkar was shown into the third floor, Gandhi was busy talking with his partymen

WAR WITH GANDHI 165

and eating some fruits. The Doctor and his party bowed toGandhi and sat on a blanket.

In the characteristic way which Gandhi observed in dealingwith non-Muslim and non-European leaders and representatives,he did not look at first for a while at Ambedkar and kept chat-ting with Miss Slade and others. Ambedkar s men now fearedthat a little more indifference on the part of Gandhi and acollision would follow. Just then Gandhi turned to Ambedkarwhom he saw for the first time, and, after formal questions, heswitched on to the main topic.

Gandhi: Well, Doctor, what have you to say in the matter?Ambedkar: You called me to hear your views. Please tell

me what you have to say. Or you may please ask me somequestions and I shall answer.

Gandhi: (with a staring look at Ambedkar): I understandthat you have got some grievances against me and theCongress. I may tell you that I have been thinking overthe problem of Untouchables ever since my school days-when you were not even born. You may perhaps be know-ing what enormous amount of efforts I had put in to incor-porate this problem in the programme of the Congress andmake it a plank of the Congress platform. The Congressleaders opposed it on the plea that it was a religious andsocial question and as such it should not be mixed withpolitical ones. This is not all. The Congress has spentnot less than rupees twenty lakhs on the uplift of the Un-touchables. And it is really surprising that men like youshould offer opposition to me and to the Congress. Ifyou have to say anything to justify your stand, you are freeto do so.

Ambedkar: It is true, Mahatmaji, that you started to thinkabout the problem of Untouchables before I was born. Allold and elderly persons always like to emphasize the pointof age. It is also true that because of you the CongressParty gave recognition to the problem. But let me tell youfrankly that Congress did nothing beyond giving formalrecognition to this problem. You say the Congress spentmore than rupees twenty lakhs on the uplift of the Un-touchables. I say it was all waste. With such a backingI could have effected an astounding change in the outlook

166 DR. AMBCDKAR : LIFK AND MISSION

and economic conditions of my people. And in that eventit would have been imperative for you to see me long before.But I tell you that the Congress is not sincere about itsprofessions. Had it been sincere, it would have surely madethe removal of untouchability a condition, like the wearingof khaddar, for becoming a member of the Congress. Noperson who did not employ untouchable women or men inhis house, or rear up an untouchable student or take foodat home with an untouchable student at least once a week

should have been allowed to be a member of the Congress.Had there been such a condition, you could have avoidedthe ridiculous sight where the President of the District Con-gress Committee was seen opposing the temple entry of theUntouchables!

You might say that Congress wanted strength and thereforeit was unwise to lay down such a condition. Then mypoint is that Congress cares more for strength than forprinciples. This is my charge against you and the Congress.You say the British Government docs not show a change ofheart. I also say that the Hindus have not shown a changeof heart in regard to our problem, and so long as theyremain adamant we would believe neither the Congress northe Hindus. We believe in self-help and self-respect. Wearc not prepared to have faith in great leaders and Mahat-inas. Let me be brutally frank about it. History tells thatMahatmas, like fleeting phantoms, raise dust, but raise nolevel. Why should the Congressmen oppose our movementand dub me a traitor?

Ambedkar now grew animated. His face flushed and eyesglowed. He paused for a moment and then continued in abitter, indignant tone.

Ambedkar: Gandhiji, I have no homeland.Gandi-ii (taken aback and cutting him short): You have got

a homeland, and from the reports that have reached me ofyour work /A the Round Table Conference, I know youare a patriot of sterling worth.

Ambedkar: You say I have got a homeland, but still I repeatthat I am without it. How can I call this land my ownhomeland and this religion my own wherein we are treatedworse than cats and dogs, wherein we cannot get water to

WAR WITH GANDHI 167

drink? No self-respecting Untouchable worth the namewill be proud of this land. The injustice and sufferingsinflicted upon us by this land are so enormous that if know-ingly or unknowingly we fall a prey to disloyalty to thiscountry, the responsibility for that act would be solely hers.I do not feel sorry for being branded as a traitor ; for theresponsibilities of our action lie with the land that dubsme a traitor. If at all I have rendered any national serviceas you say, helpful or beneficial, to the patriotic cause ofthis country, it is due to my unsullied conscience and notdue to any patriotic feelings in me. If in my endeavour tosecure human rights for my people, who have been trampledupon in this country for ages, I do any disservice to thiscountry, it would not be a sin ; and if any harm does notcome to this country through my action, it may be due tomy conscience. Owing to the promptings of my conscienceI have been striving to win human rights for m\ peoplewithout meaning or doing any harm to this country.

The atmosphere turned grim. Faces changed colour. Gandhiwas growing restless. He wanted to give a turn to Ambedkar

,

s

talk. Just then Ambedkar asked him the most pertinent ques-tion which was the object of the interview.

Ambedkar: Everybody knows that the Muslims and the Sikhsare socially, politically and economically more advancedthan the Untouchables. The first session of the Round

Table Conference has given political recognition to theMuslim demands and has recommended political safeguardsfor them. The Congress has agreed to their demands. Thefirst session has also given recognition to the political rightsof the Depressed Classes and has recommended for thempolitical safeguards and adequate representation. Accord-ing to us that is beneficial to the Depressed Classes. Whatis your opinion?

Gandhiji: I am against th$ political separation of the Un-touchables from the Hindus. That would \ye absolutelysuicidal.

Ambedkar (Rising): I thank you for your frank opinion.It is good that I know now where we stand as regards thisvital problem. I take leave of you.1

1 The Xavayug-Ambedkar Special Number, 13 April 1947.