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Gandhi wrote: "My fast has reference only to separate electorate." As soon as that is withdrawn the letter of the vow will be satisfied and I would be bound to call off the fast. But a very heavy responsibility will then lie upon me of having a substitute that is infinitely superior to separate electorate.... If you will not resent my saying it, I would like to say that I am a 'touchable' by birth, I am an "untouchable' by choice. And it was in this dual capacity that I wrote to Sir Samuel Hoare then the Prime Minister. It is that dual capacity that has compelled the fast. Looking at the matter in this light I must say that I am not in love with the idea of statutory reservation. While it is not open to the same objection that separate electorate is, I do not have a shadow of a doubt that it will prevent the natural growth of the suppressed classes and will remove the incentive to honourable amends from the suppressers. What I am aiming at is a heart-understanding between the two, the greatest opportunity of repentance and reparation on the part of the suppressers. ....I would therefore favour widest possible franchise for the suppressed and establish a convention between the two sections for securing proper election of representatives of the suppressed.... Nothing will satisfy me till the last vestige of untouchability is gone. I would therefore insist on a statutory declaration that all public places of Worship, wells, schools, etc., should be open to the suppressed, precisely on the same terms as the suppressers...." Ibid, pp. 128-30 On the evening of September 22nd 1932, Ambedkar and his three colleagues came to meet Gandhi. Ambedkar said to Gandhi: "We must accept that in the country there are two groups belonging to two different ideologies. I should get my compensation....The decision of the Government gives me seventy-one seats and I feel that is a just, reasonable and definite allocation."......... "Over and above that I get the right to vote and contest elections in the general constituencies, I also get a franchise in the labourer constituencies. We do realise that you are of immense help to us." Gandhi said, "Not to you personally." "But I have only one quarrel with you, that is, you work for the so called national welfare and not for our interest alone. If you devoted yourself entirely for our
Gandhi & Jainism Pg. 117
