The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 42
[ 42 ] It· should be borne in mind that under such a kind of Government, there arc only three ways to change a law : (I) By the votes of a majority in the Councils. (2) By forcing the hands of Government by opposi tion. (3) By overthrowing it with the help of forei gn powers. I see that those who have endorsed the views of the Nehru Committee have placed their reliance upon one or other of these three alternative means for the removal of their future grievances. Some are of opinion that if the rights which they are going to waive to-day, should in future be found indispensable for the community's w I f are, they would be able to regain the same through the legislature by getting the laws changed. Another grouo while admitting its inability to carry the houses with th m, believes that, jf a necessity arises for a change in the law they would be able to set up an effective opposition to Government and force it to chang the law according to the wish of the community. 'There is yet a third group which admits that the Indian Moslems can do nothing of themselves, but with the help of the neighbouring Muslir-o kingdoms they would be able to upset any Government that would deprive them of their rights. I shall take up the three alternatives severally and show that under the conditions of a Dominion form of Government it will be impossible for the Mos Iems to regain their lost rights by any of these three courses. THE MussALMANS AND TflE CouNCIL�. With regard to the first suggestior that the Mus- 1ims will be able to secure their rights through the Coun. . cils, it must be borne in mind, that according to the Nehru-Report, the powers to decide the Muslims' rights