The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 95
[ 95 ] ness of its area, has made certain laws which cannot be operated in bigger countries, the Corm of government in all these countries is nevertheless on federal lines, and is being successfully worked. Apart from the-,e, there has come into being a new State, namely, that of Cz(•cho slovakia, where a novel experiment jg being carried on. The Government of the country as a whole is not on federal basis, but in the province of Ruthenia, the people who were afraid of oppression have been granted a com pletely autonomous Government with which the Central Government has promised never to interfere. The Mus salmans can have no objection to such an arrangement provided that the Hindus would agree. The five Mus)im provinces may then constitute a part of India on a federa'I basis, with the Hindu provinces under a strong Central Government. In that case also, the Muslims will willing. ly undertake, on behalf of the representatives of the Muslim provinces, not to interfere in those affairs of other provinces, in respect of which their provinces enjoy full autonomous powers, just as the Ruthenians under took not to vote in the Central Parliament in those affair� of other provinces, in respect of which the Central Gov. ernment did not interfere with their own Government. ( The Czechoslovakian Government, however, inspite of this undertaking, later on, very generously gave to the Ruthenians, the right to have a say in all affairs of the Central Government ). FORM OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN INDIA. Though it is hardly the place to discuss the form of federation that might be successfully established in India, yet, since it is possible that the present proposals will be criticised on the ground of absence of such a discus sion, I consider it necessary to say that in view of the special circumstances of India, the form of Government