The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 152
152. J as n whole, and ii· i� a fact that the Muslims in relation lo t·hc gros:-; population of the country form a weak n 1 iuority. T'hl'rcfore, even on the assumption that seats would not be rc-servc-d in the provinces, there is hardly nny sound argu1ncnt against such reservation in the Central Legislature. Such reservation could very easily bt eff ctcd. Before concluding, I take this opportunity to draw the ntt�ntion of the Hindus to the fact that if they are really anxious to see India free, they must show some genero sity of n1ind. They should at once disabuse their �inds of the false idea that they can trample upon the rights of the Moslems with impunity, and with success in the fight for India's freedom merely by virtue of their numerical superiority of 3 to 1. They must remember that though individua1ly speaking every Indian would be benefitted by Self-Government, yet considered in terms of communities, the benefit will go mostly to the Hindus, who form the overwhelming majority in the population. It is meet, therefore, that they should exercise generosity of mind and abandon their present policy of narrow mindedness, which should make even a minority blush. They should bear it in mind that it is the duty of the majority community to be generous. They should remember the words of Professor Murray, that both the parties should act not only in a spirit of forbearance but also of generosity ; and that in the opinion of the world it is the duty of the majority community to be the first in such generosity. ( Vide Introduction to the Protection o/ minority by L. P. Mair, p. 5). These words of Professor Murray apply to the case of the Hindus. But if the Hindus are not prepared to come to terms with the Muslim minority by conceding to