The Voice of the "Depressed”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 144, 14 March 1931, Page 20

The Voice of the "Depressed”

The representative of 43,000.000 of the “depressed” classes of India at the recent Round Table Conference, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar has no illusions about his status in India. He speaks perfect English, and is a Master of Arts, a Doctor of Philosophy, and a Doctor of Science of London University. “Here, in London.” lie says, “I am treated as an equal, not only by British statesmen, but by my fellow delegates. But when I return to India I shall simply be a member of the ‘depressed' classes, and Ruling Princes who acknowledge me in London will not do so in India. The ruling Princes will fight for caste till the end. Our appeal is to the British people. Is it their wish that these helpless millions should continue to be outcasts from society ? “Our leaders grow in numbers. Young men are escaping from the villages and getting their education in the towns. They, too, will fight to the end for those who cannot fight for themselves. We have pleaded for these people with all our strength at the Conference. We get sympathy. But sympathy is not enough. Something must be done, and done soon, and if our cry for justice, made to the people of this great Empire, remains unheard, those who, all over India, are waiting to know their fate will not be content to. accept the verdict. But if nothing is done at the Conference, something will be done —in India.”