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Dr. Ambedkar's crusade for SocialJustice and equal opportunitiesfor Depressed Classes of India.
E. Kannan, Ex. MLA, Kozhikode -5,General Secretary of
All lndia Depressed Classes Congress.
INTRODUCTION
IIJP, Congress in race to 'own' Ilalit iconJrlin $rrndhi
t{EB DELHI Afttr Va]ldrhbbsiPrtel, B.It Anltredkar is theluext nutitingl ictln ovcr whus'rb
Icgircy thc Congrtss and theBJP 3re sl9t for a tu$ 0f war.With Amb*dhal* I25th birthanrrivutsary yr:ar heginningonAFril l+ t}ttrvodrawingupPlam htlon[ crlebr&ti,Jn*r
tic b*iir for fhe BJP'sclaim to,{nrbedkacs lecBcY i*
I95tl. "ApPmPriating nationllhistury ir not hcrY ud Dalit
v+tes have llrv:rYs bwn im-1xrrtant." Sudha Pai, Politic:'lSciuntist :rnd llector. Ja**r-harlsl Nehru l)nruer silY, said,
lYhil€ rho Congrcss hux tun-stihtted a comntiltce ttndor itspresidttlt, Sonia GlrrrJhi. andvicc-presitlent, It.rhul C:rndhi,to lorm plaru lo comn]ulro-ratd the Yenr, tlrr: BJP is orgr-nising e cumntt'tnorrtiott ottApril 1.1 rt xll district-lcvel of'fic*e of tha PrrtY' 'l'hc IlSS"s
mouthpicce, Pant'fiiuru'ri, andits English vcrsion. ?he Otga-nr'.rcr, rre coming out withcornmstnomtivo cr)lle(t$ni'editiqus on Dr. tunb*dl'urr.Mi-nister of glcial Justirc Tho-warchlud Gr:hlol aunouncedin Der:ettbcr that th! goveur'rrrent hod ret asirle hr' lOU
rrqre frjir f mentorittl toAmbdktrr"
The ConP't'ss cr>rnmiltnirvill rneet on ,\prll l 3 anrl rlrrw
lee, rdmitted; "0ur higgest
nW has been proietled as an'li* io thr: Cnngr*ss,s it was r PartnurshiP
h*fweenthe trv*."IIr. Baju sair! the Congr*ss
did not u,{nt t{, coniinv }Jr"Arnbudkar's legacy to tlat uf aD*lit lcon. Neithcr does thenss.
ca,ogaoq/'l r$9! €ns{ti
:t rtE, tltNtlg r f rrl0A
t,
BJP and Congress When in their race to'own' Dalit
lcon they are likely to run riot on political fictions about
Dr. Ambedkar and his deeds" Therefore it will be in the
fitness of things to give a glimpse of facts as it happened
in the struggle for emancipation of untouchables by Dr.
Ambedkar in his own words.
During the Second Rottrrrl l,rlrlr, ( orr[crcnce inLondon in1932 presided ovcr lry llrlll,,lr l'rrtrrc Minister
Ramsey Macdonald both Dr, Arrrlx,rlk,lt ,trrrl (j,rndhiji
were present. Dr. Ambedk,rI ru |lrrr,rl lr)r ,,cparate
representation and separate clr,r lot,tlr, llr,ltrl; given todepressed classes. Gandhi oppo..rr(l lltr, ,,,unr,. But the
British Prime Minister declarr,rl ( (,nunitrr,rl Award.
Gandhiji on reaching lndia dcr l,rrr,rl l,t,,l rrrrto Death
against Communal Award. [)r. Arrrllr,rll<,rr issued a
Statement condemning the fast.
Confused and bewildercd to llrr,r,xtrcme lndiai'r
leaders of all Political opinion ruslrcrl to t.rlk over the
matter with Dr. Ambedkar. Panrllt M,rdan Mohan
Malaviya the Veteran Political Lcirtlt,r of lrrdia urgently
convened a Round Table Conferencc ol thc depressed
classes and the rest of the Hindus. Ihc Hindus were
represented by Madan Moharr Malaviya. C.
Rajagopalachary Rajendra Prasad Sir ttrj B,thadurSapru.
M.R. Jayakar G.D. Birla Sir Prabha Sankar Pattani and
Sir chunilal Mehta. Depressed classcd wcre represented
by Dr. Ambedkar, GeneralSecretary E. Kanna, Dr. Solanki
of Bombay Rasiklal Biswas of Bengal and V.l.
Munuswami Pillai of Madras. An agreement was
reached which came to be called Poona fact, Gandhiji
accepted this and ended the fast.
These letters mainly written by Dr. Ambedkar
rcveals the inner secrets of the Political situation in the
country and the struggles of the Depressed Classes for
socialjustice and political freedom. The Gandhi- lrvin
Pact and certain statements of Mahatma Gandhi
regarding the Harijan issue in the country were some
sort of warning to Dr. Ambedkar about the political
dangers that the Depressed Classes will have to face.
He decided to avert it. A most representative conference
of the Depressed Classes of lndia was arranged to meet
in Nagpur on 7th, 8th and 9th of August 1930. All the
awakened Depressed Classes throughout lndia including
the present Pakistan & Bangla Desh were asked to attend
it. Dr. Ambedkar presided over the conference. lt was
really the most representative Assembly of theDepressed Classes at the time, Here D.r Ambedkar met
Shri.E.Kannan of Malabar (Calicut). An organization
called All lndia Depressed Classes Congress was formed
with Dr.Ambedkar as President and Sri.E.Kannan was
made the Generalsecretary. The newly formed working
committee was immediately confronted with numerous
difficult problems. By this time the British 'government
had decided to give lndia some measure of Political
Reforms and in order to get a united acceptance of their
schemes by all the different section of Political Opinion
o
in lndia the British Government decided to convene an
lndian Round Table Conference in London. Fortunately
forthe Depressed classesthe British Government invited
Dr. Ambedkar and Rao Bahadur R.sreenivasan a Veteran
Harijan Leader of South lndian to represent the
Depressed classes in lndia. ln a few months time the
lndian Round Table Conference was announced with
Dr.Ambedkar and R.sreenivasan as representatives of
the Depressed Classes in it. The Round Table Conference
was the best avenue for the Depressed Classes to expose
to the civilized world the miseries of the Depressed
Classes in the country and to seek remedies for them.
No doubt Dr. Ambedkar threw himself heart and soul
to this cause and brought for the first time in history
the Harijan issue to the notice of the world. These letters
are mainly.written by Dr.Ambedkar to his General
secretary. They will throw light on the difficulties
Ambedkar had to fightwith in order to guarantee justice
to the Depressed classes in a free lndia. The events
connected with the Poona Pact are too significant and
most revealing. From the Historical point of view these
letters are of precious importance to the people
especially to the Weaker Section.
More than any other literature in the country on
the subject, these letters will revealthe tragic difficulties
in which the Depressed Classes were living at the time
and what would have happened to these dumb millions
in 'swaraj lndia' if Dr. Ambedkar had not risen to the
occasion and taught valiantly and most heroically to
secure Security for the Depressed Classes in Free lndia.
The most significant event in the whole story is
Dr.Ambedkar's clash with Mahatma Gandhi at the
Round Table Conference which ultimately resulted in
Gandhiji declaring a fast unto Death in order to prevent
separate representation and separate electrorate being
given to the Depressed Classes by the Biritish
Government. But eventhough this startled the whole
country and evidently the whole world Dr.Ambedkar
stood like a rock and declared that he could not go back
from his stand. Confused and bewildered to the
extreme lndian leaders of all Political opinion rushed to
talk over this matter with Dr.Ambedkar and find out a
solution which would enable Gandhiji to end his fast.
Accordingly Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya the Veteran
Political leader of tndia urgently convened a Round Table
Conference of Depressed Classes and the rest of the
Hindus. Atthis conference the Hindus were represented
by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. C. Rajagopalachary,
Rajendra Prasad, Sir Bahadur Sapru M.R. Jayakar, G.D.
Birla Sir Prabhasankar Pattani and Sir Chunilal Mehta.
The Depressed Classes were represented by
Dr.Ambedkar his General Secretary, E. Kannan,
Dr.solanki of Bombay Rashikal Biswas of Bengal and V.l.
Munuswamy Pillai, An agreement was reached which
came to be known as Poona Pact. Gandhiji accepted
this and ended the fast. This averted a major crisis.
lf we look at the map of the world nowhere else
can we f ind such a section of people ca lled
Untouchables as can be found in lndia. But here even
the observance of untouchability served as a feather
on the cap of orthodox Hindus until its practice was
proclaimed a Penal offence by the Constitution of lndia.
Even the Negroes of America and Africa will be
surprised to know that a section of people exists in lndia
called scheduled castes who were treated till recently
not only as untouchables but also unapproachables.
Though untouchability has been abolished by law
it would be absurd to hold that social disabilities of the
untouchables have ceased to exist with the
proclamation of the abolition of untouchability. Social
institutions coming down for thousands of years and
woven into the fabrics of Hindu life could not all on a
jl.
sudden cease to function. Though the practice of
untouchability is abolished the social facts remain. A
glimpse into the Hindu Society will make matters clear.
The untouchables fall outside the pale of Hinduism if it
is taken on the basis of four-fold caste system. Yet they
were essential to the normal functioning of Hindu life.
The menial profession which were said to pollute or
degrade were not for members of Savarna Community'
Consequently the Panchamas were to carry these
functions. Every Hindu village postulated a group of
houses outside the normal village area where these
humble folks on whom depended the sanitation and
other menialwork of the village lived in most miserable
condition. lf the street had to be cleared, if scavenging
had to be done. lf the dead cattle had to be removed,
the members of the four castes had to depend upon
the Panchamas i.e. the Untouchables. The position of
the untouchables in society when the Caste System was
in ascendancy was in many ways worse than that of
slavery. The slaves were at least a property of the master
and therefore stood better in an individual relationship
with the master. consideration of economic self interest
and human feeling smoothened the barbarism of
personal slavery. But these mitigating factors could not
be applied to the system of untouchability which was
in fact and in effect a system of communal slave holding.
No personal or social consideration were permitted to
reduce the rigours of the system.
It is against the tyranny of such social order that
Dr.Ambedkar fought and the educated members of the
Scheduled Castes still have to fight. The present
generation of educated Scheduled Castes are almost
ignorant of the difficulties harassment and cruelties that
the educated amongstthe Scheduled Castes had to face.
Let these letters serve them as a clarion call for more
social ferver.
The personality of Dr.Ambedkar has been amply
revealed in his letters. Ambedkar was very vehement in
his criticism of Caste and Untouchability. He exhorted
the Scheduled Castes. 'You must abolish your slavery
yourself. lt is disgraceful to live at the cost of one's self
respect for self respect; is the most vital factor in life.
Without it a man is a mere cipher. The religion that does
not teach its followers to show humanity to its co-
religionists is nothing but a display of force. The religion
that asks its adherents to suffer the touch of animals
but not the touch of human beings, is not a religion but
mockery. The religion that compels the ignorant to be
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ignorant and the poor to be poor is not a religion but a
visitation.
Criticisms were leveled against Dr.Ambedkar
at the time that he was not interested in lndia winning
freedom. But the fact was quite otherwise, Even while
he was fighting very vehemently for the communal
award at the Round Table Conference in London he
wrote to Sri.E. Kannan, General Secretary of All lndia
Depressed Classes Congress that "the full solution to the
problems of Scheduled Castes could be found only in
lndependent lndia and it will be suicidal to the
Depressed Classes to run away from Swaraj". What he
wanted was that adequate safeguards should be
provided for the untouchable minority in !ndependent
lndia. He wanted the Scheduled Caste people also
should be aware of this fact. The intensity of the feelings
of Dr.Ambedkar can be seen from the followingexchange between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Ambedkar
after the first historic Round Table Conference in London
in 1930.
Dr.Ambedkar: "Gandhiji, I have no homeland"
: 'You have got a homeland and from
reports that have reached me of your
work at the Round Table Conference I
Gandhiji
know you are a patriot of sterlingworth"
Ambedkar : "You say I have got a homeland but still
I repeat I am without it. How can I call
this land my own wherein we are
treated worse than cats and dogs,
wherein we cannot get water to drink?
No self respecting untouchable worth
the name will be proud of this land. I
do not feel sorry for being, branded a
traitor.
lf in my endeavour to secure human
rights for my people who have been
trampled upon in this country for ages
I do any disservice to this country itwould not be a sin. I have been striving
to win human rights for my people
without meaning or doing any harm to
this country.
ln his fight for liberation of Untouchables.
Dr. Ambedkar stands on an equal footing with that of
N.Kruma, Jomekenyatta. Martin Luther King and Booker
T.Washington. The circumstances in which these Negro
leaders fought and Dr.Ambedkar fought were different
,
t{
llre Scheduled Castes were numerically small spread
,rll over the land. All of them were poor serts dependant
on the land lords for their daily bread. They were
invariably ignorant and illiterate masses who were
denied entry even to public places. There is nothing tocompare the economic condition of the Negrous in
Africa and America and that of Scheduled Castes in
lndia. Now with all the cruel limitations of being an
Untouchable that he was able to carry on the struggle
of liberation of the Untouchables of lndia to victorious
end inspite of the opposition of the overwhelming
majority of the Savarna communities can only be
explained by the fact that he was born to carry out the
task.
Few men are gifted with such talents as
Dr.Ambedkar possessed. He possessed an arresting
personality. He was not only a great scholar but also a
writer of great eminence. His books on the Problems
of a Rupee Pakistan why and why not What Gandhi and
Congress have done to the U ntoucha bles, theannihilation of Caste etc. bear marks of erudition,originality and scholarship. He was a born agitator,
organizer & orator.
An Untouchable young man rebellious by
nature endowed with all the qualities for leadership,
after the completion of his studies in England and
America with the aid of merit scholarship returned to
his native land tasting the fruits of social justice and
equality that were prevalent in western world and
ardently desiring the same justice to be extended to
him and the members of his fellow untouchable
community in his native land. But he experienced the
curse of Tantalus everywhere. Not only he found social
justice and brother hood were denied to his people but
found the same being denied to him also even though
he possessed the highest available Degree from the
Universities of Europe. England and America.
Dr. Ambedkar possessed a fine personality.
He was considered one of the best well dressed men in
lndia at the time. With all that he was treated as an.
Untouchable in lndia. Therefore he found the tyranny
of Caste and the curse of untouchability unbearable.
He therefore argued that if freedom will have any value
the curse of untouchability and the tyranny of Caste
must be wiped out as early as possible. He thought
that a caste ridden independent lndia will be torn by
internal strifes and that not only freedom will not be
:,
based on strong foundation but will also loose most ofits va lues.
His task was not to "make mild a ruggedpeople" but to make the docile untouchables a ruggedpeople from that of serfs who had lost the sense offreedom and equality on account of the tyrannyimposed upon them from time immemorial. He decided
that Untouchables of lndia cannot for all time remainhewers of wood and drawers of water. With this end in
view he agitated for separate representation to theScheduled Castes. Like a whirlwind he travelledthroughout lndia bearing the torch of rebellionexhorting the untouchables to awake from slumber and
fee! as human beings. The Scheduled Castes slowlybegan to rally around him and found in him their real
leader and fighter for their cause. The authorities alsocould not shut their eyes for long against the tyranny ofcaste and enslavement of Scheduled Castes.
During the Round Table Conference inLondon, Ambedkar ably represented the case of theScheduled Caste community in lndia. The Conference
was compelled to recognize the validity of hisarguments. The British public opinion was shocked toknow the in-human condition of the scheduled Castes
^
in lndia. The British Government realizing the necessity
of special treatment for Scheduled Castes announced
the Communal Award which was intended to enable
the Scheduled Caste to voice their grievances in the
Central and State Legislatures by genuine
representatives elected by Scheduled Castes
themselves. The epic fast of Mahatma Gandhifollowing
the announcement of Communal Award and the
resultant Poona Pact are too well known to be narrated'
ln order to save the life of Mahatma Gandhi Ambedkar
had to make some concessions' Yet with all itsshortcomings Poona Pact was an achievement of
unprecedented character in the recorded history of
lndia, For the first time in recorded history the existence
of Scheduled Castes and their disabilities were taken
cognizance of by National leadership. The events which
culminated in Poona Pact and the Poona Pact itself
served as an eye opener for all concerned. Writing to
Sri.E.Kannan on the occasion, of the Silver Jubilee of
the Poona Pact, Dr. Rajendraprasad, who was President
of lndia said the Poona Pact stands out as a "Land Mark
on our road to social progress". As a result of the
Communal Awardwhich ultimately took the form of
Poona Pact, the problems of the Scheduled Castes could
rf
lrr,presented in Central and State Legislatures by
rr,llresentatives of Scheduled Castes and they therefore
11ot an opportunity to voice their grievances. Thetlducated members of Scheduled Castes began to be
,rbsorbed in Government services. This gave an impetusl'or Scheduled Castes to send their children to schools.
Gradually they began to get scholarship and otherconcessions. On the whole there began a tremendous.rwakening among the Scheduled Castes.
The difficulties that Dr. Ambedkar and his co-
workers had to encounter were many in ther strugglefor the emancipation of the untouchable. They lacked
finance. Untouchables were serfs and slaves. Educated
.)mong the Scheduled Castes. Could be counted infingers. They had no press and therefore lacked thevehicle of propaganda and agitation. Being serfs of Cast-
llindu landlords the untouchables did not dare to come
Iorward openly to uphold their cause. lf they come
Iorward against the established order, they had to meetwith torture, eviction denial of labour etc" Hende Dr.
Arnbedkar had to face an uphill task" But he put up a
v,rliant fight. The sudden death of Dr. Ambedkar was an
Irrr,pairable loss to the Scheduled Castes of lndia. Yet
llrr,rc will be no doubt that his example wil! continue to
^
inspire the Scheduled Castes for generations to come
to do their little bit to uphold the cause for which Dr.
. Ambedkar dedicated his life, namely the liberation of
the oppressed people from social bondage.
It was against this communal Award thatMahatma Gandhi made his epic fast. The following
statement of Dr.Ambedkar dealing on the constitutional
safeguards of the untouchables and the fast of Mahatma
Gandhi is self explanatory.
Says Dr.Ambedkar "! need hardly say that I
was astounded to read the correspondence between
Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Samuel Hoare and Prime
Minister which was recently published in papers in
which he had expressed his determination to starve
himself unto death tillthe British Government of its own
accord or under pressure of public opinion revise their
opinion and with draw their scheme of Communal
representation for the Depressed Classes. The enviable
position in which I have been placed by the Mahatma's
vow of self immolation can easily be imagined. lt passes
my comprehension why Mr. Gandhi should take his life
on an issue arising out of communal question which he
at the Round Table Conference said is of a comparatively
small importance. lndeed to adopt the language of Mr.
r?
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Gandhi's way of thinking, the communal question was
only an appendix to the book of lndia's constitution and
not the main chapter, it would have been justifiable if
Mr.Gandhi had resorted to this extreme step forobtaining lndependence for the country on which he
was so insistent allthrough the Round Table Conference
debates. lt is also a painful surprise that Mr. Gandhi
should single out special representation for theDepressed Classes in the CommunalAward as an excuse
for his self immolation. Separate electorates are granted
not only to Depressed Classes but to the Indian
Christians, Anglo lndians, Europeans as well as to the
Mohammadans and Sikhs. Also separate electorates
were granted to the landlords, labourer and traders.
Mr.Gandhi chooses to let everybody else except the
Depressed Classes retain the special electorates given
to them. The fears expressed by Mr.Gandhi about the
consequences of the arrangements for thercpresentation of the Depressed Classes are in my
opinion purely imaginary. lf the Nation is not going to
split up by separate electorates to the Muhammadans
,rnd the Sikhs the Hindu Society cannot be said to be
rplit up if the Depressed Classes are given separate
r,lcctorates. His conscience is not aroused of the national
split up by arrangement of special electorates for Classes
and Communities other than Depressed Classes. To this
distribution of Seats Mr. Raja was a party" Surely Mr.
Raja before he criticizes the Communal Award and
accuses others, should refresh his memory of what he
accepted as a member of the lndian Franchise
Committee on behalf of the Depressed Classes without
any protest. lf the population ratio of representation
was to him a natural right of the Depressed Classes and
its full realization was a necessity for their protection
why did not Mr.Raja insist upon it in the Franchise
Committee when he had an opportunity to do so. As to
his contention in the Communal Award the Depressed
Classes have been separated from the Caste Hindus, it
is a view to which I cannot subscribe. lf Mr. Raja has
any conscientious objection to separate electorates
there is no complete change of heart on the part of
caste. Hindu towards the Depressed Classes. He will
have the opportunity to prove that fact to the
satisfaction of the Depressed Classes who are not
prepared to take his word by getting himself elected in
the general constituency. The Hindus who profess love
and sympathy for the Depressed Classes will have also
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an opportunity to prove the bonafides by electing
Mr.Raja to the legislature. The Communal Awardtherefore in my opinion satisfied those who wantseparate electorates and those who want Jointclectorates in the sense it is already a compromise andshould be accepted as it is. As to the Mahatma I do notl<now what he wants Whatever his views are today whilein London he was totally opposed to any system ofspecial representation for the Depressed Classes
whether by Joint electorates or by separate electoratesbeyond the right to vote in a general electorates based
upon. Adult Suffrage he was not prepared to concedeanything to the Depressed Classes by way of securingtheir representation in the legislature. This was theposition he had taken at first. Towards the end of Round
l-able Conference he suggested to me scheme which hesaid he was prepared to consider. The scheme wasglu rely conventiona I without a ny constitutiona I sa nctionlrchind it and without any single seat reserved for thel)cpressed Classes in the electoral law. The scheme was,rr follows:- Depressed Classes candidate might stand in
llrc', general electorate as against other High Caste Hindur,rndidates. lf any Depressed Class candidate wasrh,feated in the election, he should file an electionpr,tltion and obtain the verdict that he was defeated
because he was an untouchable and so on and infinitum.
I am disclosing these facts as some people are even now
under the impression that joint electorates and reserved
seats would satisfy the conscience of the Mahatma. This
will show why I insist that there is no use discussing
question until the actual proposal of the Mahatma are
put forth, I must however point out that I cannot accept
the assurance of Mahatma that he and his Congress will
do the needful. I cannot leave so important a matter as
the protection of my people to the conventions and
understandings. The Mahatma is not an immortal
person and the Congress assuming it is not a malevolent
force is not to have an abiding existence. There had
been many Mahatma in lndia whose sole object was to
remove untouchability and elevate and absorb the
Depressed classes but every one of them has failed in
his mission. Mahatmas have come and Mahatmas have
gone. But the untouchables have remained
untouchables.
I have enough of experience of the pace of
Reform and the faith of Hindu reformers in the conflicts
that have taken place at Jamad and Nasik to say that no
well-wisher of the Depressed classes will ever consent
to allow the uplift of Depressed classes to rest upon
tl
,,uch treacherous shoulders. Reformers who in moment
of crisis prefer to sacrifice their principles rather than
lrurt the feelings of their kindred can be no use to the
Depressed Classes. I am therefore bound to insist upon
statutory guarantee for the protection of my people. lf
Mr.Gandhi wishes the communal Award altered it is for
him to putforth his proposals and to prove that they
give a better guarantee than has been given to us under
the Award. I hope that the Mahatma will desist from
carring out the extreme step contemplated by him. We
mean no harm to the Hindu Society when we demand
separate electorates we do so in order to avoid total
dependence on the sweet will of the caste Hindu in
matters affecting our destiny. Like the Mahatma we also
claim our right to err and we expect him not to deprive
of us that right. His determination to fast himself unto
death is worthy of a far better cause. I could have under
stood the propriety of stopping riots between Hindus
,rnd Muhammadans or between Depressed Classes and
the Hindus or any other National cause. lt certainly
r annot improve the lot of the Depressed Classes.
Whether he knows it or notthe Mahatmas'actwill result
lrr nothing but terrorism by his followers against the
l)cpressed Classes all over the country. Coercion of this
sort will not win the Depressed Classes to the Hindu
fold if they are determined to go outAnd if the Mahatma
asl<s the Depressed Classes to make a choice between
Hindu faith and the possession of political power I am
quite sure that the Depressed Classes will choose
political power and save the Mahatma from self
lmmolation. lf Mr Gandhi cooly reflects on the
consequences of his act I very much doubt whether he
will find this victory worth having. lt is still more
important to note that Mahatma is releasing reactionary
and uncontrollable forces and is fostering the spirit of
hatred between Hindu Community and the Depressed
Classes by resorting to this method and therebywidening the existing gulf between the two. When I
opposed Mr.Gandhi at the Round Table Conference
there was hue and cry against me in the country and
there was a conspiracy in the so called nationalist press
representing me a traitor to the nationalist cause to
suppress correspondence coming from my side and
boost the propaganda against my party by publishing
exaggerated reports of meetings and conferences many
of which were never held. Silver bullets were freely used
for creating divisions in the ranks of the Depressed
Classes. There have been a few clashes ending in
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violence. ]f the Mahatma does not want all this to bercpeated on a larger scale let him for God,s sakercconsider his decision and avert disastrousconsequences. I believe that the Mahatma does notwant this. But if he does not desist inspite of his wishesthese consequences are sure to follow as night followsthe day. Before concluding this statement. I desire toassure the public that although I am entitled to say thatI regard the matter as closed I am prepared to considerthe proposals of the Mahatma. I however trust thatthe Mahatma will not drive me to the necessity tomaking a choice between his life and the rights of mypeople. For I can never consent to deliver my peoplebound hand and foot to the caste Hindus for generations
to come".
Yet at the critical moment. Dr. Ambedkarresponded to the call of humanity and saved the life ofGandhiji by agreeing to alter the CommunatAward in arnanner satisfactory to Gandhiji. The arrangement is
known as Poona Pact.
It was beyond comprehension in those daysof Poona Pact that a member of Scheduled Castes Sri.
K,ll.Narayanan will be selected as the president of lndia.llro Possibility of a Scheduled Caste Sri.Bangaru Laxman
being elected as the All lndia President of Bharatiya
Janatha Party was still more remote - yet facts are
sometimes stranger than fictions. This riddle can be
explained from the fact that the great saints Valmiki and
Veda Vyasa who laid corner stone of Hindu culture and
Philosophy and enriched the same belong to the lower
strasta of Hindu SocietY.
. Though Sri.Kannan was a married man he
had no children. He was a family friend of mine and
whenever he came to Trivandrum he used to stay with
me. Towards the fag end of his life he lost his eye sight
due to eye cataract. He came to Trivandrum for eye
operation. He was admitted in Trivandrum eye Hospital
and his eyes were operated upon' After operation he
regained his eye sight. He stayed with us for nearly a
month after which he returned to Kozhikode. After a
little while he had some urinal trouble and he was
subjected to an operation in Medical colelge, Kozhicode
from which he did not recover and breathed his last in
1975.
Dr.Ambedkar was a great Patriot' ln his letter
dated 6-1-1931from Round Table Conference in London
addressed to E. Kannan Ex.MLA General secretary of
the All lndia scheduled caste congress of which Dr'
\
A
Ambedkar was President he write as follows: "l was glad
to receive from your last letter that the papers in lndia
received very well the stand I have taken at theconference. I know that there are many amongst us and
there are a great many amongst Europeans who think I
am doing a wrong to the Depressed classes by otopposing the national demand, I have always held thatit wouyld be suicidal to the Depressed classes, to run
away from Swaraj. lt is their only Salvation and I am
happy to know that you and many of our people are in
agreement with me".
Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism which is
our off shoot of Hinduism He did not embraceChristianity or Mohamadanism. He was a true son ofthe soil.
Now that both Congress and BJP are inearnest to celebrate L25th Birth Anniversary of Dr.
Ambedkar throughout the year it is only in the fitness
of things that his letters are being published in a book
form.
C.C.KUNJAN, BABL
First Director of Harijan Welfare
Kerala State.
-
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc.,
Bar-at-Law.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 1-2
1-08-1930"
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letter of the 26th July. I
am glad to hear that you are coming to Nagpur. Please
bring as many of our Madras Presidency friends as you
possibly can with you.
Regarding your resolution I am in sympathy
with the sentiment underlying it. But I think you will
agree that we shall have to place it before the meeting
and abide by the decision of the majority.
ln order to save time I propose to call a
meeting of such of our leaders who choose to come on
the 7th, a day before the actual meeting of the Congress
and discuss the resolutions to be placed before it' I shall,
therefore, be glad if you can manage to come on the
morning of the 7th to Nagpur.
Yours sincerely,
^-.
B.R.Ambedkar.
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative Cou ncil
Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
17 August 1930.
My dear Kannan,
Ever since our separation from Nagpur I have
been anxious to drop you a line as early as possible. But
unfortunately lt has taken me a week to give effect tomy intention. The delay was due to two reasons. One
was the pressure of professional work which wasawaiting me on my return and the other was inabilityto get at your new address owing to the fact that thesheet on which the addresses of the delegates weretaken remained with Mr. Rajabhoj who came to Bombay
only yesterday.
Late as I am, let me thank you for having
taken the trouble to come over to Nagpur. lf theCongress has been a success it is entirely due to theparticipation of public workers like you and I hope thatwe shall try our level best to make the Depressed Classes
Congress an annual function. 1 thinkthatthe importanceof such a move can hardly be exaggerated and I trustthat this is the view which is shared by all of us.
I am extremely desirous of making our
centralAssociation a complete success. May ltherefore,
request you to get into touch with all the leading men
in the Madras Presidency and secure their effective co-
operation. You have the power to co-opt and I suggest
that you should exercise it very liberally so as to bring
in our net all those who are worth having'
. Have you started your duties as general
secretary? They are heavy. But I know you can discharge
them.
With my best regards,
I am yours sincerelY,
B. R.AM BEDKAR.
Bhim Rao Arnbedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Membe; Legislative Council
Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
1't Sept.1930
My dear Kannan,
I was wondering why you did not write tome for such a long time. Your two letters of the 22'd
and 24th August 1930, therefore, brought a great relief.
I did not reply to them earlier than this as I was waiting
to hear from Rao Sahib Muniswamy Pillay to whom I
had written sometime ago to find out whatarrangement, as the Chairman of the WorkingCommittee he desired to be made for carrying on the
work of the Committee. ! regret very much to say thatI had not had any communication whatever from him
as yet. Under the circumstances I feel helpless to make
any definite suggestion on the various points you have
raised. However, as I see that it is not good to keep you
hanging" I am giving my views regarding them.
lcertainly agree with you that theproceedings of the Congress and the Conference held
at Nagpur should be published. lt will, therefore, be
necessary to write to gentlemen who moved and
seconded and supported the resolutions to give a
resume of their speeches. The question is as regards
the time and cost of printing. As to time my own view is
that it might be published when the next session of the
congress is held. But ! realize that if it was delayed the
utility of the proceedings of the congress will be gone.
A wider diffusion of the knowledge of the stand taken
by the Congress in the political field will serve as a
corrective to the many misguided members of the
Depressed Classes themselves. You will thus see that I
have an open mind on the question of the immediate
publication of the proceedings. But you will also see that
I value the diffusion amongst our people of the
proceedings more important than its publication. For
that purpose it is necessary that the proceedings should
not only be published in English but also in all the
Provincialvernaculars. I am wondering whether I should
be able to bear the cost of printing both in English and
Maratti.
I am writing to Mr.Ogle of C.P. Whether he
could bear the cost of the print in English so that I will
be.left to meet only the cost of the Maratti print. lf he
agrees, I will undertake the work immediately and let
you know. ln the same way, lthink, you should write to
members of the different province and put before themthe idea of printing the Report in vernacular.
Regarding the leadership of the Party I feelflattered to find all eyes turning towards me" lf it is thewish of all I will not shirk it. But I do not wish ourorganization to be founded on the barren rock ofleadership. Besides we cannot make any change of thissort this year. I cannot too greatly insist upon the factthat without organization we can do nothing andwithout discipline no organisation can function. We
have elected Rao Sahib Pillay as our Chairman for theyear and we have to work under him. Our decisions
regarding leadership should wait till the year is over and
tillwe have met again. Please inform allourfriends thatI am with them in our common endeavour irrespective
of the question whether I am leading or following.
I have not received the photos from our C.P.
friends as yet. I will let you know as soon as I hear fromthem.
I was planning to send you printed stationaryfrom here and have written to Rao Saheb Pillay to letme know the appropriate headlines and addresses. But
as I have said, there has been no reply from him. I am
also waiting to send our contribution.
Give me yoLlr exact address and you will have
the promised. Type-writer sent on to you' I am glad to
read on your determination to keep the flag flying' ln
that effort you will have my fullest support'
With best regards.
Yours sincerelY,
B.R.Ambedkar.
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative Council
Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
3'd Sept. 1930.
My dear Kannan,
Your letter of the 31't ultimo convinced me
of your dash and I have no doubt you will make our
organization a complete success. By the way I am
shocked to read the sub-head line of your letter paper.
You must delete the line 'Leader etc', lt puts me in an
award position. But it is not fair for Rao Saheb Pillai,
Please, for my sake, cance! that line and have other letter
papers printed without it.
! am glad to read that you are determined
to see that undesirable persons do not go to the Round
Table Conference to represent us. You will be glad to
learn that I have been asked by the Viceroy if I can go to
the Round Table Conference if invited. I have replied to
him in the affirmative. The Governor of Bombay has
called me for an interview today. I am seeing him and
shall let you know what he says.
Regarding the typewriter I have decided toIet you buy one locally rather than send one from here,
with the attendant risk of breakage on the way. l,
therefore authorize you to buy a typewriter to suit your
style for about Rs.60/- and send the bill to me.
I have been wondering why Rao Saheb Pillay
has not replied to my letter. Perhaps you can enlighten
me on one thing. I hope he does not think out Nagpur
Congress has gone too far.
Affectionately yours,
B.R. AMBEDKAR
-.
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative Council
Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
8-9-1930.
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letter of the 6th. yes I
promised to let you know the result of my interviewwith the Governor of Bombay. We had a very cordialtalk on the present political situation in relation to thequestion of the Depressed Classes. He referred to myNagpur Presidential address and said that inspite of it I
would be invited for the Round Table Conference as I
am havingthe largestfollowingof the Depressed Classes
of lndia. This is no doubt, to a large measure due toyour efforts. The way you presented our cases gave me
hope that we should succeed.
As lam feeling a little indisposed. lshallwriteto you in detail after a few days"
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkar
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative Cou nci I
Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
26-9-1930
My dear Kannan,
I quite realize the great surprise you must
have felt at my silence forthe lastweeks. But I am sorry
to say that all my activities have been put to a stop to
by a severe attack of malaria which has confined me to
bed for the last two weeks. Even now I feel so very
exhausted that I have not the strength to write this letter.
But lfeelthat ! should not keep you in anxiety any longer.
Mr. Pillay also wrote to me saying that he desired to
convene a meeting of the working committee. I would
have welcomed it but there seems to me very little time
to arrange the meeting before my departure to England
which will be on the 4th of October. I feel tremendous
responsibility as a delegate to the Round Table
Conference and I am overweighed by the feeling that I
and my colleague Rao Bahadur Srinivasan might present
our differences in the open Conference. I hope that with
the blessings of al! of you there will prevail amongst us
two that sweet reasonableness which is so essential for
unity. I hope you and Mr. Pillay could meet Rao Bahadur
Srinivasan and impress upon him the necessity of unityalong the lines laid down at our Nagpur Congress.
Before leaving for London I shallwrite to youwhat arrangements I am making to carry on the workof our Working Committee in Bombay. I shall remit ourcontribution to Mr. Pillay in two or three days.
With my warmest regards to you,
Yours affectionately,
B.R. Ambedkar.
^-.
Bhim Rao Ambedkar Damodar Hall
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law, Parel, Bombay 12
Member, Legislative Council 17 August 1930"
Bombay.
My dear Kannan,
I am in receipt of your letter of 26'h which
has evidently crossed mine of the same date" ln that
letter I have explained why I could not write to you. You
might have seen it by now.
You express anxiety about my safety. No
doubt, there is some excitement against the delegates
of the Round Table Conference. Government seem to
have taken note of it, Mr.Shivtarkar who saw your letter
has humorously asked me to tell you that our people
here are Maharashtras and know well how to look after
themselves, You have seen their mettle and their recent
spirit for which you too have contributed your share.
You need not at all be anxious about my safety Our cause
is great and my mission is of much consequences.
Therefore we may not fail anywhere. Here in Bombay I
have full confidence in the strength of our people. Under
that strength you and I are safe"
lr
ia
I anticipate very heavy work for you when I
am in London. I willtry to keep you in touch with day today events. You must be up and doing" You know thatmy going to the Round Table Conference is not looked
upon with satisfaction not only by the lndian National
Congress but also by Dr. Moonje and his HindooMahasabha. They may try to divide our people in lndia
and cause confusion. This is what you have to be careful
about. You must see that the important leaders of theDepressed Classes in every Province stand by our Nagpur
resolutions and give me full support in any stand I take
at the Conference.
ln my last letter I desired you and Mr. Pillay
to meet Rao Bhadur Srinivasan. Please see that you
atleast meet him before he starts.
I shall try to write to you again before I leave
for London. ln the meanwhile. I am
Yours affectionately,
B.R. Ambedkar
11th Oct.1930
11 AM
P & O.S.N.Co
S.SViceroy of lndia
My dear Kannan,
I regret I could not send you a message
before t left Bombay on the 4th . There was such a rush
of work that I did not get breathing moment to attend
to a nyth i ng.
Myself and my collegue Rao Bahadur
Srinivasan are in excellent health. I have had one or
two talks with him on the attitude that we as
representatives of the Depressed Classes should adopt
at the Round Table Conference. I have hopes that I will
bring him down to My view point to a large extent. The
trouble is that there is so much disparity in our ages
that we can't be chums. However, I am trying to keep
shoulder to shoulder with him.
The delegates to the Rou nd Ta ble
Conference have been meeting everyday to discuss
communal question and I am glad to inform you that
they are most sympathetic to our demands.
Before leaving Bombay I have sent a money
order to Rao Saheb V.l. Muniswamy Pillay of Rs.300/-
I
as our contribution plus the cost of the typewriter. You
can therefore carry on your work. The central Provinces
people will also be sending you their quota Hoping that
you will keep me in communication with everythingthat
is going on in lndia.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkar
My London address is
Thomas Cook and Son Ltd
378 Strand
London W.C. 2
re)paqurv'u'B
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]]N]U]INO] ]IBVI- CNNOU NVICNI
C/o. Thomas Cook & Son
Barkaley St
London W
My dear Kannan,
Thank you very much for your letter of the
24th October with the enclosed cutting from Swaraj'
I quite understand that there is universal
discontent among the depressed classes for the very
inadequate representation granted to them in the
Round Table Conference and I quite appreciate your
saying that a move in getting a larger representation
shoutd be my first duty in London. But I may quite
frankly tell you that the wrong is now beyond redress'
First of all it is too late now to open the question and
secondly there remains in official circles the opinion that
there are no persons in the Depressed Classes qualified
to represent them. Well, I think the fault is largely of
our own making. The Depressed Classes movement is
yet a weak movement and has not attracted thc
attention it deserves. This is due entirely to the fact that
our leaders besides delivering speeches have donc
nothing and, secondly our movement is so recent in
origin that it must wait a while to be big enough.
Our conference opened its session on the
14th last I spoke today. My speech had a good effect
and many congratulated me on it. My health is not quite
what it ought to be and, for the first week I was confined
to bed. But now I am better.
I shall be thankful to you if you will keep me
informed of things in India,
With my warmest regards,
I am,
Yours sihcerely,
B.R.Ambedkar.
^-.
Bhim Rao R-. Ambedkar
M.A., Ph.D, D.Sc'Bar-at-Law
Member, Bombay Legislative Council
Fellow. UniversitY of BombaY
President, DePressed Classes
lnstitute, BombaY
Delegate, lndian Round Table Conference'
Tel:ABERCORN 2401
42 Cliften Gardens
Maida Vale
London, W9t9-12-!930
My dear Kannan,
Thank you very much for your letters' lt was so
good of you to have kept me informed of what is going
on and what our congress organization is doing in lndia.
But I am extremely sorry to find that you were not
nominated to the Madras Legislative counciland in your
place a Brahmin has got in. I quite share your indignation
atthesystemofnominationandlhopethatlsha]lbeable to give it a decent burial at the conference'
You must have been getting allthe news regarding
the Round Tab]e Conference and it is, therefore,
^
unnecessary for me to say much. My work ofpropaganda is going ofl, and, as a part of it I addressedthe members of Parliament yesterday on the "positionof the untouchables in the future Constitution of lndia',.It had a very good effect and many have promised togive all help. I have prepared a note on the safeguardsfor the Depressed Classes in the future Constitution oflndia for submitting to the Conference lt will be printedby Monday next. I shall send you copies by the nextmail and I want you to hold meeting throughout lndiaand send telegrams from all parts to the Prime Ministerthat the dema nds conta ined a re ou r lrred ucibleminimum and must be granted or we shall not acceptany constitution. You must act promptly.
I am also drawing up a memorial on the entry ofthe Depressed Classes in the Military for submission tothe Secretary of State. You will have it when it is ready.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar.
Bhim Rao R. AmbedkarM.A., Ph.D, D.Sc.Bar-at-Law
M ember, Bom baY Legislative
Council
Tel:ABERCORN 2401
42 Cliften GardensMaida Vale London, W9
4-1-793L
Fellow. University of BombaY
Vice President, Bombay Textile Labour Union
Delegate, lndian Round Table Conference.
My dear Kannan,
This is just to tnform you that I am leaving for lndia from
Marsailles on the l-3'h February and will reach Bombay on the
27th.
lmmediately on my arrival in Bombay I propose to call a
meeting of the Working Committee of the Depressed classes
congress and I want you to lnform our friends in all parts of thc
country to be ready to meet me for discussing the situation and
deciding on our future plan of action. Rao Bahadur Srinivasan
leaves Marsailles on the 6th and will be in Bombay on the 20th' I
hope you will alljoin in giving him a great and hearty reception'
He has behaved splendidly at the Conference and has proved to
me that every inch of him is a gentleman.
Hoping to meet You soon,
lam
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkar.
INDIAN ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
London
6-1-1931
My dear Kannan,
I am sorry I have not been able to replypromptly to the many letters which you have very kindly
written to me. But this has been entirely due to my
being appointed to almost all the Sub Committees ofthe Conference which have occupied all my time.
I was glad to read from your last letter the
papers in lndia received very wel! the stand I have taken
in the Conference. I know that there are many amongst
us, and there are a great many amongst Europeans, who
think that I am doing a wrong to the Depressed Classes
by not opposing the national demand, I have always
held that it would be suicidal to the Depressed Classes
to run away from Swaraj. lt is their only salvation and I
am happy to know that you and many of our people
are in agreement with me. Ofcourse Swaraj will not be
the blessing. I say it will be unless the depressed classes
get all the guarantees that they need. You will be glad
to know that I have been carrying on the greatest fightfor these and I hope to be successful. I am sending
herewith a memorandum on the safeguards for the
-
Depressed Classes which I have submitted to tlr,'conference. lhope you will agree that it i',
comprehensive enough to cover all our needs. lt will
be very fitting if you will, on getting the memorandurlt,
convene a meeting of the depressed classes and senc1 ,t
letter to the Prime Minister that the memorandutrt
contains our irreducible minimum and should b,'
granted" Act as promptly as you can. Our conferenr,'
will have finished its work by the end of the month. I
have not fixed my future programme. But I purpose to
go over to Geneva for meeting the officers in thr'
Secretariat of the League of Nations. I may go even to
the U.S.A. But, of that I am not yet certain. Howevt't
you will hear from me in course of my movements.
Hoping to find you in the best health.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R.AMBEDKAII
Bhim Rao R. Ambedkar
MA.,Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-law parel,Damodar Hall
Bombay - 12
28-2-1931.My dear Kannan,
This is just to say that I reached Bombayyesterday by the S.S.Mooltan. As I wrote to you fromLondon lam very, anxious to hold at.an early date ameeting of the leaders of the community in order tochalk out our future line of action. I shourd like to knowfrom you whether, in your opinion, there is a chance ofthe meeting being made a truly representative one. Asyou have been in touch with our people allthese monthsI think you should be in a position to advise me on thisquestion.
I have given a statement to the press on theRound Table Conference. Let me know how you feelabout it.
With my warmest regards,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
B.R.Ambedkar Damodar Hall
Parel Bombay
7-3-1931,.
My dear Kannan,
I am in receipt of your letter. I accept 12th
April as the date for the Conference. You should write
to all leaders known to you in all Provinces, also to Raja
and Gavai. Tell the delegates that they must be in
Bombay on the lLth evening. I could arrange someone
to go and meet th'em in the station. lf they inform me
of theirtime of arrival. Anyhow on your assurance that
12th is acceptable I am proceeding with the preparations.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
Bhim Rao R. Ambedkar Damodar Hall
MA.,Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-law Parel, Bombay - 12
9th March,1931,.
My dear Kannan,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th
February I am glad to know from you that what little I
was able to do at the Round Table Conference has
received the appreciation of the Depresses classes.
The Round Table Conferences, as you know,
will soon meet in lndia and there are many problems
affect the depressed classes which will come up forsettlement and it is, therefore, very necessary that thedepressed classes should formulate their views on theseproblems before the conference meets. There are twoways in which, it seems to me we can proceed. One
way is to convene a meeting of the Depressed Classes
Leaders -a-select few- at some convenient place. The
other is to call a session of the depressed classes
congress. ln my opinion the choice between the twomust be governed by the natu re of the issues which a re
to be discussed. As I understand them, the issues are ofa technical character and cannot be effectively discussed
in a Congress session composed of a miscellaneous lot.It will require close study to probe into them and findout their solutions. My view therefore, is to call a sma!!
conference of the leading members of the depressed
a
classes from all provinces and from all parts of theDepressed Classes, say in the month of April. I am
prepared to take the responsibility of holding such a
conference in Bombay if all members agree to come toBombay. On the other hand I am agreeable to go to any
other place that may be unanimously decided upon.
You will therefore, be good enough to proceed to get
into communication with all leading men of theDepressed Classes in the different provinces and invite
their views on the desirability of holding such a
conference and the date and place.
Your idea of starting an English journal is
welcome to me. But I should advise you to wait till theconference meets.
Willyou let me know how matters stand withRao Bahadur Srinivasan my Colleague at the Round Table
Conference. I wrote to him on my arrival in Bombay.
But there has been no replay. My fear is that he is
probably ill.
With my warmest regards,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
Bhim Rao AmbedkarM.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative Council
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
3-6-1931.
Bombay. Fellow, University of Bombay
My dear Kannan,
I should think that now we must find out
the attitude of the lndian National Congress towards
the stand we have taken at the Nagpur Conference. I
suggest that you write to the General Secretary of the
Congress enclosing copies of our resolutions and
Memorandum and ask him to let you know their views
on them.
Perhaps you have seen press reports that Mr.
Jawaharlalwill be in Calicut on his way backfrom Ceylon.
You arrange to meet him there. You must have the
utmost caution in dealing with him. Ask him what willbe the attitude of the Congress towards our agitation
for our political rights. lt should not appear that we are
going to him for any favour because we do not want
any body's favour when what we demand is only our
birth right. Please try to give the utmost publicity towhat he says. Also write to him when he shal! have
gone from Calicut so that we shall have his reply in black
and white. 6
I am likely to be very busy for some time lnconnection with an important case. You should kbep
me informed of the developments.
With my warmest regards,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
Bhim Rao AmbedkarM.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law,
Member, Legislative CouncilBombay. Fellow, Univer:sity of Bombay
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay 12
My dear Kannan,
I received your long letter. But owing to the pressureof work of the cHIRNER criminal case I could find no time tosend you a reply.
You will be glad to knowthat the Government haveagreed to give the Depressed classes representation on theFederal structure committee. I have been asked by Governmentif I am willing to serve on the committee if I am invited. There is
no formal invitation sent to me as yet or for the matter of that,to anybody else. But I think it will come before long. tnanticipation of the invitation I have fixed my passage byS.S.Mooltan which leaves Bombay on the 10th August. lt wouldhave been to have given our ldea of forming our Depressedclasses c ongress a real being. But that does not seem to bepossible. However, I should like to know what response you gotto your circular inviting opinion on the feasibirity of the proposalfrom various provinces. lf there is anything which you think I
could to further our plans I am at your service.
With my warmest regards,
I am,
Yours sincerely,
-
B.R. Ambedkar
Bhim Rao R. Ambedkar 3 Bernard Street
M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law Russel Square
Delegate, lndian Round London W.C.l
Table Conference TelePhone:
Terminus 5817
11th November 1931.
My dear Kannan,
I am in receipt of your two letters and alstr
the statement you issued on behalf of our people' I
thank you for the same. You are a great worker and I
am sorry that the Depressed Classes have not providerl
you with sufficient field for displaying your activity. I
hope that before very long they will do so. I fet'l
enormouslyflattered bythe number of telegrams I havt
received from our people all over lndia expressing thcir
confidence in me and the condemning attitude ol
Mr.Gandhi and the Congress. This shows that our peoph'
are alive to their interests. Mr.Gandhi has not changltl
his attitude towards our demands. I have, no doubt th'rt
even in the teeth of Mr.Gandhi's opposition we willwirr
What will be the measure of our success I cannot s.ly
But that we will succeed is without doubt. Rao Bahad'rr
and myself have drafted another supplementary
memorandum defining our demands in respect ol
special representation copies of which I am sending
under separate cover for distribution among our people.
I am glad to hear of Rao Bahadur Rajah appreciating
my work at the Round Table Conference. lt is something
when it comes from a man who is jealous of maintaining
his leadership. I have got a copy of the memorandum,
which you say Mr.Raja has sent to the Round Table
Conference. My plans for the future are not settled. But
I do not propose to tarry away much behind after the
Conference is over. I am sending you a cutting from the
Manchester Guardian.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
A
Rao Bahadur M.C. Rajah Royal Hotel
Simla
26-09-1981
My dear Kannan,
As it takes such a long time for my letter lo
reach you and your reply to reach me. I had an intervicw
with the Viceroy and discussed with him various point.'
I did impress on the necessity of sending atleast ottr'
man to the Round Table Conference. ! did all I can irr
the matter. Hope our friend Mr. Muniswamy Pillay will
succeed. Not only this, I met the Reforms Commissionlr
and explained to him the matter. Apart from that I havr'
tabled a motion in the Assembly. This motion ought to
have been discussed last week but owing to Press llrll
and other important Bill it, has been delayed. Hope wr
will take it next week. His Excellency did not ask ttt,'
about you. We were immersed in political talk and hc t',
the good old Willingdon. He made very kind enqulrir",
about the Depressed Classes in general. I agree wrllr
you that a joint representation should be made sigrtlrl
by leading members of the community in allthe distrit l',
! do not think that our Swamiji would say "No", He wtll
certainly co-operate with you. For a good cause and lot
the benefit of community all must join.
^
I have already sent two cables one to theManchester Guardian and one to the Times of London
contradicting the statement of Mr.Gandhi that theCongress is the Champion of the Depressed Classes. I
hope this will help Dr. Ambedkar in his work there. I amglad Dr. Ambedkar is doing his best. All want is that he
should not go in for joint Electrodes. We want separate
Electorates whether we get adult franchise or not
lwill be having another interview with H.E.
the Viceroy before I leave Simla. I shall let you know theresult then.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
M.C. Raja
Londotl
13-1-1932
My dear Kannan,
This is just to say that I am leaving for lndia on tho
15th from Marsailles and will be in Bombay on the 29th' You wlll
have read by now that I am appointed member of the lndian
Franchise Committee. You will realize the importance of thls
Committee from the stand/point of the Depressed Classes antl
the great necessity of organizing the evidence of the Depressed
Classes in a proper manner' I would value very much your
assistance if you can manage to tour round with me along with
the Committee to work as a liaison officer between myself and
theleadersofthedepressedClassesineachProvince.ldonotknow how you can manage the finance" I will be taking one man
with me whose cost I shall have to bear' I suggest you take tho
sum of Rs.300/- that is lying with Rao Bahadur Muniswamy Pillay
for this purpose. This ought to be sufficient for the purpose' ln
any case write to me what you think of it' to my address ln
Bombay so as to reach me before the 29th January or thereafter'
C/o. lndian Franchise Committee Camp lndia' lf you decide to
take up the work come and joint me in New Delhi from 1'l
FebruarY.
SincerelY Yours,
aB.R.Ambedkar
I am writing to Muniswamy' You see him'
B.R.A.
P.S"
^
New Delhi
3-2-1932lndian Franchise Committee
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letter of the 28th
January. I am sorry you cannot join me before I arrivein Madras. As ! received letters from our people in
various provinces I hope to be able to do without yourassistance till then.
Regarding the Kampte Conference I really
know nothing and until I know more about it I cannot
say anything about it.
Regarding the Memorandum which you and
Muniswamy Pillay propose to submit on behalf of theDepressed Classes Congress to the Franchise Committee
I should like to say that I should see the memorandum
before it is submitted. I think you will agree with this. I
shall, therefore, be glad to have your memorandum.
Sincerely yours,
My address : Member,
Camp- lndia.
B.R. AMBEDKAR
lndian Franchise Committee,
INDIAN FRANCHISE COMMITTEE
Pattt,t,
t4-2-79 t)
My dear Kannan,
I am in receipt of your letter of the 7th whltlr
reached me only yesterday' I am glad to find you so keen ott
holding a session of the Depressed classes congress. I attt,
however, sorry that you have fixed on Kampte as the venue' Wl
once met in the central Province and we must make it a rttl''
not to meet in the same Province twice consecutively. I catt't
a.suggest for the moment any other avenue. I would, therefot't
requestyoutoholdupthemattertillwemeetinMadras.I have seen the answers you have formulated' I
think they need to be reconsidered. I would advise you not lrr
submitthemtillwemeet'lnthemeantimelamsendingyoil.lcopyoftheanswerslhaveformulatedandwhichwillllr'submitted on behalf of our Bombay organization. Discuss tht"'r'
answers with Rao Bahadur Pillay and we shall make our fltt'rl
decisions when we all meet'
ln the meanwhile,
lam
a
Yours sincerelY,
B.R. Ambedkar
INDIAN FRANCHISE COMMITTEE
CAMP: INDIA
Cicil Hotel, Simla
2L't April, L932.
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letter of the 16th whichreached me only to day and also the cutting from theBombay Chronicle. I am considerably annoyed to read thatyou are not likely to attend the Conference at Kumpte. You
are one of those who initiated it in my absence and insisted
that it should be held. Now you want to back out" Well, I
can't understand these childish ways. lf you want to rnaintain
the Public life of the community you all must take your
responsibilities more seriously than you appear to do. lfthe support is so half-hearted I am afraid I will sit at home
and attend to my own affairs. Don't think it is only a threat.I mean it. So you better come to Kampte whatever be your
other commitments, and carry through the Conference
which you set forth. I am sorry to have used strong language.
But you will realize from that how heavily I feel the weight
of my responsibilities.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar.
Bhimao R. Ambedkar, Damodar Hall
M.A. Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law Parel, Bombay- l.t
Member, LegislativeCouncil, Bombay 25-5-7932.
Fellow, University of Bombay.
My dear Kannan,
I am surprised to find you and Mr
Muniswamy dead silent since your returned frotrr
Kampte. Since my return to Bombay I have been on tottt
mC returned to Bombay only to-day. All the samc, I
managed to write a letter to Mr. Muniswamy. But thcrr'
has been no reply. I do not understand the reason.
You will be surprised to read that lam leavirrg
for London to-morrow by the Lloyed Tristend Line. I lrr'
reason for my leaving so abruptly is the somewh,tl
disquieting news I have had regarding the commurt,tl
settlement which the Prime Minister is going to givc lrr
the course of the next month. I hear they proposc lu
give separate electorates for Madras, Bombay arrrl
Central Provinces and Joint Electorates foi the rest ',r,
far as the Depressed Classes concerned. This would lrr
disastrous not only to the Depressed Classes of tho',r'
Provinces but to the unity of the Depressed Classlr
movement as a whole. I think I ought to make a fltr,rl
effort to save the situation although it is going to cost
me money and time. lwill be back in the first week ofJuly.
I wanted to begin at once the work oforganizing the Federation. lt must now wait till return.
I hope to reach London on or about the Sth
of June. By that time send a wire in the name of therepresentative Committee of the All-lndia Depressed
Classes Federation that the Depressed Classes insist on
separate electorates and seats according to theMinorities Pact. lgive my London address below in case
you want to write to me.
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkar
Address :
Thomas Cook and Sons,
Berkley St., London W.
RoYal Hott'1,
Russel Squar,'
London, W.(.1
t4-6-19 | )
My dear Kannan,
I have been in London for the last week tu
see that we get the best out of the commun'rl
settlement. I have seen every man of importance herr'
The Government are not giving an inkling of what r"
glgring. But I am told that they are prepared to giv''
Separate electorates for the Depressed Classes rrr
Madras, Bombay and central Provinces. Elsewhere thcy
are thinking of joint Electorates in all provinces I wrol,'
out a statement of our case and have submitted it t,r
the Prime Minister. I am sending you a copy' Plea""
make more copies of it and send them to all provinr t,rl
Branches of our federation. Of courses the docum(.trl
should be kept confidential.
My work is really finished. But I am asklrl
by friends to be on the spot it need be. 3'o I am stayittll
although it means a great sacrifice to me, but not molr'
than a month. But I am going to spend the month itt 't
sanitorium in Dressed in Germany which is near enortglr
to permit me to come to London if I am wanted' ln ('r"t'
you wish to write you must write to me by Air Mail to
my German address which I give below.
I read in todays English papers that Mr. Raja
is comingto England with Dr. Moonje evidentlyto press
joint electorates. He can't get any respectable hearing
here.
How is it that Mr. Muniswamy seldom cares
to reply.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar.
Address.
C/o. Dr. Moller's Sanitorium,
LOSQHWITZ
DRESDEN _ GERMANY.
DEPRESSED CLASSES INSTITUTE
Damodar Hall tl I
Parel, Bombay -12
23'd August 1932.
My dear Kannan,
I am back. We must hold a meeting of the I
Working Committee of the Federation either in Nagpur
or in Allahabad. Move quickly in the matter.
\ With a view to avoid any conflict of opinion
I am forwarding herewith for your information a copy
of the statement issued by me to the Press on the i' I
Communal Award so that you may be able to form your
opinion on the same.
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkara'
-,
The Statement
Depressed Classes and the Communal Award.
No one expected the Communal Award be
everything to everybody and I myself was prepared for
some variations in the proposal made by me and my
colleague, Rao Bahadur Srinivasan at the Round Table
Conference on behalf of the Depressed Classes. But the
Communal Award has ruthlessly scaled down their
representations in the provincial Legislatures to quite
insignificant proportions. The result is that the
Communal Award creates a positive grievance by
refusing to them adequate representation I see no
justification for this enormity. What has however
shocked me most is denia!; of right to representation to
the Depressed Classes of Punjab. Knowing as I do the
condition of the Depressed Classes in That Province l
have no hesitation in saying that comparatively speaking
their social condition is really worse than that of their
fellows in other Province in Northern lndia. Their case
for special representation was the strongest. What
reasons his Majesty's Government had for depriving the
most deserving classes of their seats I am unable to
understand unless it be to satisfy the claims of the most
@
turbulent and vociferorr r.ttions in that Province. Such
injustice becomes more flagrant when it is realized thatthe lndian Christians and Anglo-lndians without a titheof the population of the Depressed Classes and withoutany shadow of social grievances have been provided
for the latter. These injustices will, I fear, make the All
lndia Depressed Classes Federation which is to consider
the question averse to the acceptance of the Award.
\h
_l
Bhimrao R" Ambedkar;
M.A., Ph.D, D.Sc, Bar-at-Law
Member, Legislative Council, Bombay
Fellow, University of Bombay.
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay
L7-9-L932"
My dear Kannan,
I was glad to have your letter after such a long time.
I was sorry to read of your ailment. I hope you will be all right
soon. I am thankful to you for your confidence in me and your
determination to stand firm to the last. I am going to be firm.
We must meet somewhere to plan out a concerted action to
meet the attempt to defeat our claims. Do not seek for any
conference. ln fact I am saying that there is no necessity for a
conference. The conference will be a trap. We must insist on
Mr. Gandhi disclosing his proposals first. They are so absurd
that even Mr. Rajah and his party will revolt,
I have suggested to Mr. Biswas that we must meet
on the 2nd October. I am willing to come to any place that may
be fixed for the meeting. Will you hurry up in the matter? I am
going out of Bombay today and will be back in a week. I expect
your reply on my return.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
Bhimrao R" Qmbedkar,
M.A., Ph.D, D.Sc, Bar-at-Law
Damodar Hall
Parel, Bombay
rB-9-1932.
My dear Kannan,
I could not go out of Bombay. The programme is
dropped. Since writing to you last morning I am almost mobbed
by friends urging me that we would avert Mr'Gandhi's proposed
fast on the 24th" They want that we must act quickly. Whatever
be the urgency as they see it I cannot decide anything without
consulting our Working Committee. I am therefore asking you
to arrange that we should meet in Alhabad on the 24th.
\ Although you are not in good health I hope you
willUe good enough to handle the matter yourself. I want you
to run up to Allahabad if you can, after giving a message by wire
to every member asking him to attend the meeting positively.
You must be in constant touch with them as I fear we may have
to face unexpected difficulties as events roll on. But in spite of
all difficulties and anxieties, we must be firm as the fast is coming
as the greatest challenge not only to our rising into a political
force in the country but also to our very political existence. You
will see my statement pointing out the unreasonableness of this
fast. But it will not be all who will understand it at this crisis.
But even then, we must fight in spite of all handicaps and we
willfight.
I do not know how all our friends have taken this
threat. I have no time to write to any of them. That is one reason
why I want you to get everyone of them for the meeting. Tell
them that this is perhaps the greatest trial of our life. lf we
survive now it will bring some consolation to our poor people.
lf we fall then the agony of our live will continue for generations.
Therefore I ask you to act quickly and let me know.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
Telgra m f rom D r. B. R. Am bed ka r f rom Bom bay o n
19-09-1932 at 11.30 hrs.
Kannan-Calicut-Malabar-Accept 24th Allahabad -Ask every member attend - urgent.
Ambedkar
Telegram from Dr. B.R.Ambedkar from Bombay on 2L-09-L932
at 13 hrs.
Bombay Q 21- 13
Kannan-Calicut-Malabar
Allahabad meeting cancelled - Come Bombay at once.
Ambedkar.
Bhimrao R. Ambedkar, ' Damodar Hall
M.A., Ph.D, D.Sc, Bar-at-Law Parel, Bombay
Member, Legislative Council, Bombay
Fellow, University of Bombay.
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letters. I am glad to
know that you have been returned to the Malabar
District Board unopposed. lf as you say, it is an act of
magnanimity of the leaders of the Constituency it should
be something gratifying.
\ But what one has to rejoice in Yourunanilrous etection to the District Board is married by
the behavior of the Caste Hindus who conducted ugly
propaganda againstyou in theTaluk Board Constituency.
Your failure in this election where there was a contest
is significant. lt was good that you wrote to Mr. Gandhi
about it. lt is easy for him to explain it away saying that
it is only an individual case of hardship. But
unfortunately there is too many an individual case of
this nature in this country. lt is always the game of a
Caste Hindu Electorate that when confronted with the
inescapable necessity of electing a member of the
Depressed Classes to some public body they make it a
@
point either not to vote at all in the election or to vote
down the most efficient candidate, it is also significant
that the caste Hindus of your place have found you
unworthy of representing them on the Taluk Board even
when they knew that you have already become a
member of the Dt.Board. I rejoice in this defeat of yours
in the circumstances in which it has happened because
it is only a vindication of the stand we took and I hope
to make use of this defeat when necessity for it should
occur.
Now that you have got some relapse I wantyou to take a little rest in order to get prepared for the
execution of the plans we discussed in relation totemples.
Please write to me how you fare as a
member of the Dt. Board.
Wlth my warmest regards.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar.
.-.
Yerwada Central Prison
29th December 1932.
Dear friend,
I do not mind your long letter. On thecontrary I thank you for it. My only difficulty is that I
cannot overtake individualcases of hardship, lcan onlysuggest to you that you should see the local leaders and
understand from them their reasons and, in spite of all
the efforts individual cases of hardships are bound tooccur. I still retain the conviction that the Yerwada Pact
is in every way, much betterthan the Premier's Scheme.
Time will show the truth of this proposition.
\ I am forwarding yourMadhavan Nair of Calicut.
M.K. Gandhi.
Sjt.K.Kannan
Office of the Joint Secretary
All lndia Depressed Classes Federation
Calicut.
letter to Sjt"K.
Yours sincerely,
Palace Hotel
Bloomsbury St.
London WC.l12-1,0-1933.
My dear Kannan,
I have recclvorl your lrrlllr ol lltc 29th September I
was all along blamingyott for nll wrlllnll lo rrrc. Inow realizethat the fault was mine antl I w,rr urrrl,,r llrr, rrri,,taken belief thatI had replied to your lettrrr,
I cannot rcrply lo yuut rlur,,,llon ,ls to when theConstitution will come lnto opnrrrlllrr ll nr,ry (.ome into beingin 1936 or it may never conlrr
The fears of Illtwnr rrto lrl,lr,rlrly r,x,r1;gerated. Butyou can be rest assured tlt,rl lwlll nll ,rllrrw lltr,opportunitytoslip through, As to my rlr,ptttfllllrr ll llrr, llr,;rrcssed Classes
coming over here it is qulto lnrplrtllrll ,,wlnH lo thc fact that itwould be too late and nlro lrrtr,lr\r tl l',, lrr rrry opinion quiteunnecessary.
lcan't blnd lrryloll lr ,l1llrl llrr. l'rr,sirlcnt ship ofthe Jathinasini Sabha Conlpl nrrr r rrlllr,,l1slr I worrlrl be delightedto do so. I hope to returtt lrr lttrll,t lrr l,lrrr,rry rrcxt and, if youwrite to me then, I sh,tll lilrrl rynr;r,rllrr,llr ,rlly ronsider thematter.
I shall wrlto lrt yrtt lttrmr ll rrry rrr.xl
Yor rr ,, sincerely,
ll l( Arrrbcdkar"
Palace Hotel
Bloomsbury St.
London W.C.
23-1,L-t933.
My dear Kannan,
I have received your letter of the 29th October.
I am not at all surprised when you say that theHarijan movement has cooled down. lt was a politicalmovement. lt could never sustain itself and I never expected itto do.
I believe I was a bit hasty when I said that we shallgain our point inspite of the Hindu Maha Sabha. Later eventshave shown that there is a landslide I am trying to stem it.
Sir Akbar Hydari had gone long before I receivedthe enclosed application of your friend. I cannot do anythingexcept to forward it to him which I am doing.
I hope to sail from Geneva on the 28th Decemberand be in Bombay on the 5th January !934. As your reply willnot reach me before I leave London it will be better if you writeto me to my Bombay address which I give below.
Yours sincerely,
B.R.Ambedkar
Address:
Rajagraha
Hindu Colony, Dadar, Bombay -L4.
.l
l.
A
Bhimrao R. Ambedkar,
M.A., Ph.D, D.Sc, Bar-at-Law
J.P.,M.L.C.
Rajagraha
Dada r
Bombay L4
6-1-1935.
My dear Kannan,
I have had no communication from you for
a very long time. I am not blaming you for it because I
myself am guilty of the same offence' On my side I can
plead the excuse of ill-health. But I hope your excuse is
other than ill-health.
I have been asked from all sides why I have
said nothing aboutthe Report of the Joint Parliamentary
Committee. As you know I do not like to make any
pronouncement on any important matter affecting the
Depressed classes on my own authority. I attach great
importance to the Depressed classes speaking with one
voice. I am, therefore, writing to enquire if you agree in
making a joint pronouncement on the Report' There
are two ways by which we can carry out this project'
Either we should draft a statement on behalf of the All-
lndia Depressed classes Federation and circulate it to
the various Provincial Branches of the Federation and
then issue it in its approved form, or we ask the Branches
of the Federation to send their delegates to meet at
some place and after discussion issue their statement.
The first method may have to go backwards and
forwards many times before it is finally settled. Thesecond method is more expeditious but is not withoutits difficulties. The first difficulty is to decide upon ameeting place and second is to ensure that every )'province will be represented.
I should, therefore, like to know your viewson the following two points:-
1)Should a statement be issued on behalfof the Federation?
2) Should we adopt the method of circulatinga draft statement and inviting opinionson it or should we call for a meeting ofthe delegates of the different branches !,of the Federation for exchange of viewsbefore any statement is issued?
Regarding my own views on the report,frankly speaking I am greatly dissatisfied with it. Leavingaside the question whether it is an advance over thepresent position and taking into consideration theposition of the Depressed Classes, the proposal of theJoint Parliamentary Committee for second chambershave destroyed the whole effect of the Poona pact
especially as they do not provide for any representationfor them in these Second Chambers.
The proposals of the Committee with regard
to the Constitution of the Federal Upper House have
destroyed every chance of the Depressed Classes having
any representation therein. I do not know if you are
aware of these changes made by the Joint Parliamentary
Committee. lf you are. I am sure you will share my
feelings in this matter.
So far I have seen a statement by Rao
Bahadar Raja and I confess I was surprised to read thatin his view the Depressed Classes have nothing tocomplain against the report of the Joint Parliamentary
Committee. We must correct the impression which such
a view is bound to create on the general public, our ownpeople and the Government here and in London. The
matter is urgent for if speaking on the Congress
Resolution which is sure to be moved in the newAssembly Mr.Raja repeats his assertion it would create
most unfortunate situation for all of us. l, therefore,earnestly solicit for an early reply.
Yours sincerely,
B.R. Ambedkar
C. Rajagopalachari 50 Bazhulla Road
Thyagarajanagar
Madras - 17
Dear Kannan,
Thankyou foryour heartwarming letter. Yes,
it is the SilverJubilee of the Poona Pact. This dayTwenty
five years ago was one of the most anxious days in the
history of lndia. I am glad you atleast remember it. I
have just written the story of that week for the All lndia
Radio as the Delhi Broadcast Department asked me forit. I suppose it will be broadcasted on 2nd October
sometime. You know and remember everything So there
is nothing new in it for you.
My best wishes, God bless you,
Yours sincerely,
C.Rajagopa lachari.
a
No.334-G(C)s7
President's Camp
lndia
Poona, 26th SePtember 1957.
Dear Shri. Kannan
I have received your letter dated the 20th
September 1957 regarding the Silver Jubilee of the
Poona Pact. I recollect the very anxious times that we
had to go through and the ultimate triumph of Mahatma
Gandhi's Tapasya. There is no doubt that while
untouchability has become a social crime there are still
many things which need to be done to raise the normal
stature and economic position of the Harijans. The
Governments in various states are doing their bit in this
respect and it is a happy idea to celebrate this Jubilee
of the Poona Pact as it stands out as a land mark in our
road to social progress.
Yours sincerely,
Rajendra Prasad
Shri.E.Kannan, Ex. MLA
Kozhikode-5.
Member of Viceroy's Executive Council New Delhi
(Labour) 23'd December 1942'
My dear Kannan,
I have your letter of the Bth , which came to me
only yesterday" I had also received your previous letter addressed
toBombay.lhadthoughtofwritingtoyouevenbeforelgotyour letter, but somehow in the hustle and bustle of things I
lost sight of the matter.
I am happy to read the very kind sentiments you
have expressed therein about myself. I had no doubt of your
love and affection for me. This is however, a very small matter-
gratifyingasitistomepersonality.Themoreimportantthing
which has been worrying me is the conduct of those of you who
have joined the Congress. When are you people who have joined
theCongressgoingtoopenyoureyes?Thisisaquestionwhich
Ithink, I must putto allof you and lwantyour categoricalanswer
to it. I think you must have by now realized that your entry into
theCongresshasdonenogoodtotheDepressedclassesand
that it has done positive harm to them. As to the first you have
not been able to force the congress while it was in office to do
anything of substantial benefit to the Depressed classes during
the two years and seven months of congress Government.
secondly you know that the congress and Mr. Gandhi are trying
to make a settlement with the Muslim League and to grant them
all that the Muslim League wants for the protection of the
Muslims. Has the Congress ever cared to come to a settlement
with the Depressed Classes' Two things you must know as well
as I do. First the Congress does not accept that there is any
necessityforasettlementwiththeDepressedClassesandMr.Gandhiisdefinitelyopposedtoanysuchsettlement.You
must have read in the Harijan of a very recent date a statement
made by Mr.Gandhi in reply to a question from some Depressed
Classes correspondent to the effect that he was opposed to the
DepressedClassesbeingrecognizedasaseparatepoliticalentity
entitledtoseparatepoliticalright.ltisastatementonwhichevery one of you who have joined the Congress ought to ponder
deeply'ThatMr.GandhiwasopposedtotheDepressedClasses
demand political rights I never had any doubt' But somehow
you people had faith in him that he will do justice to the
DepressedClasses.lthereforefeelverymuchobligedtoMr.Gandhi for making his position so clear. lt is for you now to
consider whether you believe in the Depressed classes obtaining
the same political rights as the Muslims are demanding'
lhavecometosomeverydefiniteconclusionasto
the action we must take if we are not to be a party to the
submergenceoftheDepressedClasses'Butbeforeldothatl
thought it would be better to know whether you people are
prepared to renounce the party advantages that you have
secured by way of an easy election to the Legislative Assembly
forthe sake of conservingthe good of the people which allof us
must have at heart. After I have an answer from you I may be in
apositiontotellyouthenatureoftheactionlproposetotake
@
and the manner in which propose to give effect to it. I shall,
therefore, be awaiting your answer without delay'
I am sorry I have not got the books written by me
on various subjects which you want. Some of them are out of
print, some of them I have no copies with me and the copies of
the rest are in my house in Bombay. I shall get them and send
you copies of the same.
With best regards,
Yours sincerelY,
B.R. Ambedkar.
M.R.Ry.E.Kannan Avl.MLA
Pudiyangadi Post
Calicut
Madras PresidencY
ALL INDIA CONGRESS COMMITTEE
SWARAJ B HAVAN, ALLAHABAD
President : Telegrams: "Congress"
Vallabhai Patel Telephone: 350
Treasurer: Ref. G. 133/1535
Jamnalal Bajaj July 2nd, 1931.
General Secretaries:-
Syed Muhmud
Jairamdas Doulatram
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Sjt.E.Kannan
GeneralSecretary
All-lndia Depressed Classes Congress
Calicut.
Dear Friend,
You will forgive me for the great delay in
answering your letter. You ask me a number of questions
about the future. As I told you when we met that I am
not a prophet and I cannot guarantee anything for the
future. I know this, however, that ! want every kind ofsocial exploitation, humiliation and tyranny to be put
down and stamped out and I propose to fight for this
till I succeed. I also know that the Congress today stands
for this social freedom. I presume it will continue to
fight for it. lndeed I might say that I am almost sure of it
because the congress today is an organ of the masses. ,,,
But I cannot guarantee the future. I do not know why ''r-
you think that the Congress does not attach enough
importance to untouchability and the like' As a matter
of fact it has always been in the fore front of the congress
programme.
lf you have any other point to discuss with
me I will be too glad to have them.
Yours sincerelY,
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Dr: Arnbedkar Fellowship
Ibc"c. KUNJAN. BA, LLB
Commissioner for
Advancement of
Backward Communities
First Director
Hrrijan Welfare
Kernla State
78, Bhodesworam Road
N*ndavnnam, Trivandrum -33
&;*nt ooqindl'|" fiismora'lal tndlffitlJo'
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rirhbl*rt}laopy tlishu
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II ---Pnnted.l ( h.n,r., r ,,rrh.l! ,, lknsdluru Ilydetrb.d IlrJrrrr \,,r,lr \
BABASAHEE'S BIRTH At{NIVERSARY t r',rttt.a a -ComPt'titiotl <ln
to:lgrgrrtpriittehis legacvJrltn (iJrrdlrl
ttt Dttll: lrr li R \nrlxdkat s l:{th l'rr!lr .rIr\i rs.rnon ltrrrtl.rr l\,,rllt rn '{(.rilolr lrtr lnlltl( il l).nlts "l lllhucr to le1 (l{lrrr l,' hls l(8Jc}snd, ln.lLci r(r(h,rul to l)alit vottri I ht ( nlhurllsDr (rl
thr prrtter lo luunr h \r'ar l(rnlcelcbratt,'rrr wltrrt.l t,' hrvtbccn sPurretl hr lht fatl thatDrlttr hrd [,'l r'{t(l rrnltelong.arlt lllr.. rtr tlri 20l4I ^t c,tt".1., trrni
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I, Qur*il !-rt.h. t "+r. IN,il $*rb t. ]-{&. I
a \ rrcel l(rnre,,n "",I"
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psrt:v prr.r(lrnl \nttl Shuh andllinrt \l,rrrrtIr l(.Urr.,th StnSh
l ht ( ort{r,.: lrrrrrr htrl !ht
I..-
idenl Home Minister Ruyutlh llnlngh o esident Sonio Gundfu tt' Delh Ptsoro s^NoEEP saxEi^
mer Home Minister and Dalitleader, Suhil Xumu Shinde
''llrsfaith indctrr,",rt'ht sharcd wrt t' tl,'Gandhi. .lasehrr trlSarrlar pater anrt ,[ llr\:rrl( 'l tllr lt,, Xlrrl( Irl l: rls( 'rr, I lr, ,
i, rl.r.lt\ tO oUI ,, ,ll
I ltmtlBnllr'-I mllItlllorlll ,
hrs follou'ers in Ia56A numbcr of ProSrammts
were held all over the t outtlntr) msk the occaston tnclutlrng in Parliament It u'a$ i!trnded h\ ( 0n(ress l)resldcntStrnia Candht rnd f,'rnr, 'l'rime Ilrnlster \lanmL,harrS:rgh \l' (iifr(lhr later issu€d., \\rtl'(it \l.tlrlrl(lrl .r\lll(
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Flipkart does [- -trDgCldgSagAlnst lr,1 bl,usrnL,,!\,1'\r'. 'r rirtrrts ID',Ll( rnk\ur '
,\,Now th& both Congress and BJP aibin qornest to celebrute I25th Birth
Annivenary it is onlY in thefitness
of things tha ookfonn
. I c.c. KUNJAN BABL
i t First Direclor ol Hariian Welfare
Kerola Slote.
Sponsored by: D.P, Konchirom, Koltamuri, Chongonasserry ' . .'C. B ho rat ha n, E lenj ical, Kozhikkod u