Following Simon Commission report the British claimed that they wished to transfer more power to Indians or grant self-rule. To draft the constitution First Round Table Conference was held in London in 1930. The leaders of all groups were invited to present their respective cases. It had a Minorities Commission to hear the case of minorities.
Dr. Ambedkar attended the Conference as an representative of the untouchables. Before Minorities Commission he spoke about the miserable plight of untouchable classes. He alleged that nothing was being done to improve the lot of lower castes. He repeated his allegations in the conference which was presided over by King George V.
Back in India, he undertook drive to get the entry of untouchables into the temples. In this task several upper caste people joined him. This drive is known as Nasik Satyagraha.
Meanwhile, Gandhiji was also engaged in Harijan upliftment work. For untouchables Gandhiji had coined the word ‘Harijan’ (The people of God) which in connotation accepted them as equals. In the beginning Gandhiji praised the work of Dr. Ambedkar. Then, differences surfaced between them. Gandhiji particularly objected to the statement made by him before Minorities Commission in London. He was of the opinion that untouchability was internal problem of Hindus. Dr. Ambedkar disagreed.
Then, Dr. Ambedkar went to Ahmedabad where youth of the backward castes wanted to honour him for his crusade for the rights of the untouchables. He was given a rousing reception by a gathering of thousands of people of downtrodden classes. In reply to the ‘Citation’ he said—
‘Brothers and Sisters,
I am grateful to the ‘Youth Form’ for their ‘Citation Letter’. I am not worth the accolades contained therein. But I promise that I will always serve for the upliftment of untouchable classes. Ahmedabad has been the centre of trade talks. But after the advent of Gandhiji there is political talk only. I think you know more about politics than I do. I think those who wear Khadi do not exactly know the power politics of Gandhiji.
Do they know the truth? You sit on Satyagraha and you win. The mighty British are bending backwards before Gandhiji! I ask you all Khadi wearers what have you done for your own upliftment? He makes you go on Satyagraha for freedom. But what has he done to banish untouchability and get you water from a well to drink? Many of our own hate me but I don’t care. You say anything should be done for the country but is this country yours? They don’t consider you human beings. They don’t want you own any land. They don’t allow you way to walk by. How can you call it you country?…I went to Round Table Conference for the benefit of our backward classes…now Congress is also sending Gandhiji to the conference initially condemning it. He talks of the imperative need of Hindu-Muslim or Hindu-Sikh unity. What about us… untouchables?
In the Round Table Conference I argued for the country, I fought for whole country like no other one did. I passed acidic comments on colonial rule like no other Hindu did. Give me the liberty to say that I am India’s freedom lover like no other one is. I want to see my country independent. But first I want my untouchable bretheren freed of the caste tyranny. That is most important to me inspite of my inadequate knowledge on other subjects…’
After that, Dr. Ambedkar went to other places and every where backward classes gave him rousing receptions and heard him air his views.
Second Round Table Conference was scheduled to start on 15th August, 1931 in London. As Dr. Ambedkar had attended the first conference he was certain to attend the second one.
This time Congress also decided to take part in it under the leadership of Gandhiji. Before leaving he expressed his wish to meet Dr. Ambedkar. They met on 6th August, 1931.
Gandhiji said, “I have been told that you have complaint against me and Congress. Congress had spent 24 lac rupees on upliftment of the Harijans. So, it is very strange that still you are opposing me and Congress!”
Dr. Ambedkar replied, “I want to make it clear that whatever Congress has done in the name of Harijan upliftment is just a farce. As far as 24 Lac rupees are concerned it was just wasted on make believe shows. Couldn’t practising untouchability be made as undesirable as wearing Khadi is desirable or compulsory for Congressmen? Had Congress done that would the President of Congress had dared to oppose the entry of untouchables in Nasik Temple? Your Congress wants to see the British government changing its heart. Why doesn’t it first change its heart about us, untouchables? Now we don’t trust you or your Congress. If we believe in anything that is that we must help ourselves.
Gandhiji replied, ‘‘I have got a report of your speech given in Round Table Conference. It shows you as a great patriot.”
Dr. Ambedkar remarked, “For being a patriot one needs a country to call one’s own. The country where I am not allowed to draw water from public water sources how can such country be mine? I won’t do anything against the country but all I will do would be for the benefit of the untouchables. All know that untouchables are more backward than Muslims or Sikhs. In the First Round Table Conference untouchables were to get separate representation like Muslims. Congress agrees to representation for Muslims. Will it accept our demand too?”
Gandhiji, “I am against Harijans being given political rights separately outside Hindu society.”
Dr. Ambedkar, “I am grateful for your frank opinion. Our stands are clear now. I take leave of you.”
Two weeks later Gandhiji reached London on 24th August, 1931 accompanied by Madan Mohan Malviya and Sarojini Naidu.
In a statement Gandhiji claimed that Congress has undertaken the task of Harijan welfare, hence it was the sole representative of untouchable classes of India.
Dr. Ambedkar retaliated, ‘Mahatma (Gandhiji) has always claimed that Congress represented the untouchables. He also says that Congress is more representative of Harijans than I or my associates. In reply I want to say that some irresponsible people say such lies although no one cares about them.’
On 8th October, 1931 Dr. Bheemrao Ambedkar spoke before the Minorities Commission—
‘Gandhiji has failed to work out any consensus on the problems of minorities. I regret to say that he has violated the understanding with me. He had stated some reasons in the beginning which could have proved useful but the things did not work out. Gandhiji is questioning the validity of the representatives of various sections terming them as government nominees. I can’t deny it. But I want the untouchables to have the right to choose their representatives. I will fight election on this issue if needed. I will continue to represent my class in any case… I want to tell the Prime Minister of Britain that untouchables don’t want power to be transferred from the hands of the British to one caste group. The power must be distributed among various sections according to the ratio of their population. I don’t know what will be the position of untouchable class in the new administration…”
Dr. Ambedkar was demanding separate constituency for untouchables. Gandhiji was opposing the demand.
From London Dr. Ambedkar went to USA. Gandhiji came back to India. Dalit organisations greeted Gandhiji with black flags and charged him with having anti-lower caste attitude.
In contrast when Dr. Ambedkar arrived in Bombay Dalit organisation and backward people gave him tumultuous reception. He had to go through a series of receptions, welcome meetings and falicitations. Now there was no doubt his being the true leader of dalits.
It was a great moral booster for Dr. Ambedkar. Enthused by it he again went to London and on 26th May, 1932 he reiterated the demand of the separate constituency for untouchables. He stayed there for two months meeting leaders to convass his case.
Only a few days after his return to Bombay, the Prime Minister of Britain made an important announcement, “I grant the untouchables of India the separate constituency status for representation and contesting elections.”
His announcement elated the untouchables. It was a great achievement for Dr. Ambedkar, the fruit of the years of his struggle.
