The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 112
[ 112 ·1 population of the Anda1nans, Coorg, Aj1neer-Marawar, The total is not likely to exce�d 1,75,00,000 giving an additional number of two seats only, which rneuns an aggregate of 86 seats. These figures eloquently speak for themselves. The Muslim League had demanded 166 seats. Under the present Government system, the Muslims are already in possession of 150 seats. And on population basis they are entitled to J 25 seats. Und,. :r the Nehru Scheme it is estimated that their share would be reduced to 86 seats only. The Mussalmans may wel1 ponder over these figures. It must be remembered that the Nehru-Report has been prepared by those Hindus who are straining every nerve to win over the Mussalmans. When their own estimate of our future position j� so hopeless, :t is useless to argue further. It is vain to contend that the Muslin1s in those provinces where they are in minority will be able to win more seats than they are entitled to by their number. The Nehru Committee at any rate do not agree to this view. It says :-· • There was little chance of any of the other provinces with less than 7 per cent. of the population, (meaning-Bombay, Madras, the C. P. , Burma, etc. ), returning a single l\lluslim • • to the Central Parliament. ( Ibid. p. 51 ). In the U. P. and Behar, the co1nmittee was of opinion that the Muslin1s n1ight succeed in securing one or two seats. Now does it stand to reas::>n that the Muslims in Bombay, Madras, Burma, and Central Provinces, having little chance of returning even one Muslim candidate from their respective constituencies by their cornbined voting strength in an open election, will under a system of reservation be able to wrest from the Hindus seats in addition to those reserved for them with the help of their residual votes? For, it is evident that in these provinces,