INDIAN "UNTOUCHABLES"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 10

INDIAN "UNTOUCHABLES"

While Mr. Gandhi continues his self-imposed fast to testify to his implacable opposition to the British Government's communal award, efforts are being made to agree on a policy for the "Untouchables," or Hindu depressed classes, that will bring peace. Mr. Gandhi's objectioa is that the depressed classes will be severed from the Hindu community by the award. It is difficult to discover, from its text, how he decides this. In the first place the award is not final nor invariable. Because, after many attempts, India herself was unable to agree on a basis of representation in the various legislatures acceptable to the minorities concerned, and to the Hindu majority, Britain formulated the award. It was issued with the assurance that if the communities themselves, could agree on a better plan, in whole or in part, it would be accepted. There should be no need for voluntary martyrdom as a protest after that offer. As regards the representation of the depressed classes, the Prime Minister, in stating the principle the Government had adopted, said : "Our main object has been, while securing to them spokesmen of their own choice in the Legislatures of the province? where they are found in large numbers, at the same time to avoid electoral arrangements which would perpetuate their segregation." It was decided, therefore, that the depressed classes should vote in general Hindu constituencies, ensuring that the elected member would be influenced by his responsibility toward them as his constituents. In addition, there would be, for the next 20 years, a number of special seats filled from special depressed class electorates in areas where these voters were especially numerous. Thus a number of them were to be given two votes in order that they might be associated with orthodox Hinduism and yet have their own spokesmen in the Parliamentary system. On the face of this, protests that the depressed classes would be over-represented could be understood. That Mr. Gandhi should find in it justification for a protest to the point of death on the ground that they were being severed from the Hindu community to which they traditionally belonged is quite inexplicable. However deep his sincerity his decision does not exalt either his judgment or his reasoning faculties.