seen as the figurehead for the fight for independence,
linked to INC. seen by peasants as godlike. hugely
popular, raised support for several INC movements such
as the non-cooperation movement and civil
disobedience movement
The untouchables should not have separate electorates
it would damage
Hinduism as the
untouchables are Hindu
any reform will come because those who oppress will realise it is
wrong and reform their own conduct
Harijan: sins of the upper class: solution
could only ever be a matter of the
individual conscience
dont ned laws if everyone is striving for
good conduct constantly
caste cannot be abolished, it is
religion, not institution. If abandoned
people will not listen.
Ambedkar
indian jurist, politician, philosopher. Belonged to the Mahar caste:
treated as untouchables and socio-economic discrimination.
1897 moved to Bombay.
only untouchables enrolled
in Elphinstone High School,
Degree in Economics and
political science.
1913, moved to US. PhD in Economics in 1917.
Fights for seperate electorate
wanted separation
and recognition for
this in the
constitution and
seats in all
government-
legislature and
executive.
Joint electorate? Hindus are majority, so never a
representative who will serve the untouchables interests
if not given separate
electorate and
representations the
political situation of the
untouchables will never
change - rigid not fluid.
Hindus maintain the oppression of the
untouchables. Want control over their lives.
if society is ineuqual and divided, our politics and
constitution should be too