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Ambedkar explained his point of view: "We want to keep a section for punishing the Hindus that if they do not remove our disabilities, we could ask for a Harijan referendum; what objection could you have for such a referendum"......Gandhi said, "You must be able to find out in the course of a year whether the Hindus are behaving properly with you or not...Either you put us on our honour or you do not...but that you are talking of a longer period indicates that you have reservations in your mind. If my utter truthfulness has any effect on you I tell you to put us on our honour." Ambedkar did not have any reply to this. He got up saying, "We shall come tomorrow." After two hours of discussion somebody reported to Gandhi that in spite of Ambedkar's best efforts the Depressed Class Party did not accept the period of five years. At last Birla found a way out by saying that the entire practice must automatically be stopped after ten years, during which period both the parties may get together and find another option. Gandhi was happy at this. The document was signed. As Ambedkar came to Gandhi, Thakkar Bapa said, "Ambedkar has changed." Gandhi said, “That is what you say, but Ambedkar does not!” Ambedkar said: “Yes, Mahatmaji, the change has taken place. You have been of great help. You have tried to understand me more than your people tried to make me understand. I feel that there is more similarity in both of us than in them." Gandhi said, "Yes, of course."..... H. S. L. Polak, MGP, op. cit, p.201
48
Ibid
Ibid. p.210 H. S. L. Polak, MGP, op. cit, p.241-43. At the opening of the year 1942 almost the whole world was at war and the Viceroy declared arbitrarily that India was on the side of the Allies, without caring to consult the ministries in the provinces. The Congress ordered all its ministers to tender their resignations. On the issue of participation in the war, however, there were differences even among the High Command. Gandhi was willing to give unconditional moral support to the Allies, some members of High Command wanted to bargain for political freedom over this issue, and they would be willing to support the war efforts by men, arms and money. The
Gandhi & Jainism Pg.119
