Reservation policy; political strategies of Gandhi and Ambedkar

POLITICAL STRATEGIES OF GANDHI AND AMBEDKAR

While Gandhi started Harijan Sevak Samaj to uplift the Depressed Classes, Ambedkar formed the Independent Labour Party (1936) to put pressure on Government for obtaining more resources for the Depressed Classes. Later in 1942 it became All India Depressed Classes Federation. When in 1942 Gandhi and the Congress opposed war efforts and started the famous ‘quit India’ movement, Ambedkar, by contrast supported the British policy and its war efforts. He became a member of Viceroy’s Executive Council. He used his position in the Government to further the interests of the Depressed Classes. During this time in a ‘Memorandum’ he submitted to the Government, he demanded reservations not only in legislative seats but also in education and Government employment. This was perhaps a crucial moment for the Colonial Government accepted his demand and this became the basis for the...