In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and Second World War broke out. Britain declared war against Germany. The Viceroy of India also declared war against Germany. The Indian leaders protested. They said that the Viceroy had no business in dragging India into war. The Congress party asked the countrymen not to cooperate with the British in the war effort.
The Congress tried to make a deal. It offered to help British if they promised to grant freedom to India after the war was over. The British did not accept the offer.
But Dr. Ambedkar didn’t agree with the Congress leaders. He thought that Indians must stand by the British at that crucial juncture. After all India was to gain nothing by helping Germans. Infact, Dr. Ambedkar called upon Mahar youth to join the army and fight war for the British. The government already had lifted the ban on the recruitment of Mahars.
In July, 1941, The Viceroy of India constituted Defence Advisory Board. Dr. Ambedkar was nominated as one of its members. There was no untouchable member in the Central Defence Council. Dr. Ambedkar protested against it. The Viceroy included him in the council. He was given the charge of the Labour ministry.
As labour minister, Dr. Ambedkar introduced 33% reservation for untouchables in several government departments.
In December 1941, his book, ‘Gandhi and Liberation of Backward classes’ was published.
In April 1942, with his efforts ‘All India Scheduled Castes Federation’ was instituted.
On 14th April 1942, Dr. Ambedkar’s 50th birth day was celebrated in Bombay. On this occasion a massive meeting of workers, untouchables, backwards and other well wishers was held. A large number of people from upper castes were also present to the pleasant surprise of all. The meeting declared Dr. Bheemrao Ambedkar as the ‘Great Gem’ of Maharashtra.
In August, 1942 Congress party under the dictatorship of Mahatma Gandhi began ‘Quit India’ movement against the British. The aggressive postures of Gandhiji shocked the British. Most of the countrymen were behind Congress and Gandhiji. The government retaliated and most of the Congress leaders including Gandhiji were put in jail.
On 21st February, 1943 Gandhiji began his 12 day fast in Agha Khan Palace where he was under house arrest. In support of Gandhiji several members of Viceroy’s Council resigned but Dr. Ambedkar continued to serve in the Council regardless.
The Second World War ended in 1945. The allies won the war. Germany, Italy and Japan were vanquished.
Soon, after the victory in the war general elections for the parliament were held in Britain. The opposition Labour Party won the elections as the people were tired of the war. The new government under Prime Minister Atlee decided to grant independence to India.
All the necessary groundwork started in earnest. India was to be divided in two parts. India and Pakistan, a Muslim majority country. Gandhiji opposed the division idea. But Dr. Ambedkar preferred the division as the thought the divided parts could live in peace free of Hindu-Muslim tensions.
To form Interim Government elections were held in India. Two main contenders were Congress and Muslim League. Dr. Ambedkar fielded his own candidates under the banner of newly formed party called ‘Republican Party of India’. His party was routed in the election because of the highly communalised atmosphere. In a way Congress represented India and Muslim League stood for would-be Pakistan. The greater number of seats for League would mean larger area for Pakistan. The strength of Congress meant the area to be retained in independent India. Thus, all other considerations were shut out and Dr. Ambedkar party got marginalised.
Later Dr. Ambedkar had to be inducted into the Central Assembly as a representative of Scheduled Castes from Bengal Assembly.
Dr. Ambedkar had by now come to suspect the real intention of Congress leaders. Ever since the differences arose between him and Gandhiji Congressmen always tried to undermine him. As Dr. Ambedkar continued his crusade for the just rights of the untouchable classes and opposition to Gandhiji the Congressmen became vindictive.
When Dr. Ambedkar went to Jagannath Puri temple the priest insulted him by saying, ‘This temple is not open to untouchables.’ It later came to light that some power mad Congressmen were behind this humiliation of Ambedkar. The attitude of the many Congressmen towards him was hostile not due to political differences but because of the fact that deep down they were caste conscious. Would such people ever honestly concede the due human rights to untouchables, Ambedkar often wondered?
On 4th June, 1946 under the leadership of N. Shivraj a meeting of the Dalit Federation was held in which a resolution was passed demanding Separate Constituency status to the Harijans because otherwise they won’t get any representation in assemblies and councils. The government ignored the resolution.
Fed up with the treachery of the Congress, Dr. Ambedkar was forced again to raise the demand of the separate constituency.
Some miscreants instigated by Congressmen even set fire to Ambedkar’s printing press.
The Interim Government accepted the demand of equal representation to Hindus and Muslims but the scheduled castes were denied representation.
It incensed the Dalit Federation. Hindus and Muslims were ganging up to shut out the backward classes. The dalits retaliated by organising protest rallies in Bombay, Poona and Wardha.
Meanwhile, Congress and Muslim League came together to form Interim Government. Dr. Ambedkar complained against this unholy alliance to the British Prime Minister and demanded at least two seats to scheduled castes. The demand was accepted.
On 20th December, 1946 Assembly Council started session under the chairmanship of Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha. Before that on the 11th Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected President of the Council.
On 26th July, 1946 Sardar Patel presented a bill in the Council called, ‘Untouchability Abolition’ which was passed into an Act. It made treating anyone as an untouchable a crime which was legally punishable.
It had become clear that Jawaharlal Nehru would lead the government of Independent India as its first Prime Minister as chosen by Gandhiji.
Nehru was a cut above other Congress leaders. He was educated, intelligent, visionary and well mannered, modern person. Above all he was very liberal and above caste considerations. And he had his own yardstick to judge others. He wouldn’t judge Dr. Ambedkar by his opposition to and criticism of Gandhiji and his dislike for Congress.
Nehru was impressed with Dr. Ambedkar’s education, his prowess as a writer, administrative skills, commitment to his cause and the scholarly qualities.
He approached Ambedkar and asked, “Doctor Ambedkar, would you accept to be law minister in my government?”
Dr. Ambedkar could not refuse the offer so generously made by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the protege of Gandhiji whose bitter critic he had been. Unlike every body else Nehru was honestly paying tribute to Dr. Ambedkar’s merits.
