The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 138
[ 138 ] are absent, (2) the statistics extend over a fairly long period, and (3) when the. figures do not go to indicate the underlying presence of any adverse movement or a probability thereof, that is, when it is proved that in the figures for the successive years, there is no gradually developing factor militating against our conclusions. But in the figures noted both by the worthy member and the Nehru Committee not one of the three conditions has ' been fulfilled. It has neither been proved that special circumstances did not exist at the time of the elections. ( on the contray I have proved that special circumstances did exist. ), nor have the statistics of several elections been quoted, nor again has it been proved that from the figures of the past elections it does not appear that any such factors have been developing as threaten the progress of the Mussalmans. It is consequently foolish to dra"v any conclusion from these figures. The value of such figures depends on their average. Without such average they are meaningless ; while to depend on the figures of one single election is positively mischievous. Even the weakest army may by chance defeat a most formid able host, but such chances are rare indeed. HI DU INDIFFERENCE TO DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS. Even if statistics showed the continued success of the Mussalmans as against other communities in the District Board elections of the past few years, still it would be erroneous to conclude that the Muslims would prevail against the Hindus in the Council elections also. There is nothing common between the Councils and the District Boards. A seat on the latter is now hardly a matter for pride or prestige. The District Boards are practically unconcerned ,-vith the trade of the country. The Hindus, I mean the trading community, therefore,