The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 45
[ 45 ] THE UsE OF FoRcE. The second alternative is that the Muslims should get their wrongs redressed by force. With regard to this I would simply ask whether the Muslims feel that strength in themselves. Tow day the Britishers are ruling in India and their number hardly exceeds a few lakhs. Both the Hindus and Muslims are agreed that power should be wrested from the English, but nevertheless, has our united strength so far proved effective in changing the Govern ment? If it has not, then what show of power will the Mussalmans be able to make when India will be governed by Indians and the advantages of keeping intact the existing fabric of its Government will accrue not to a few lakhs but to a population numbering as many as 26 crores? Further it should also be borne in mind that the army will be under the control of the Central Government. To imagine that Muslim soldiers will desert the Govern ment that pays them and support their community is un thinkable. Even at present one can easily see that they stand for the British Government and not for the Indians. In fact, it is the sentiment of loyalty that upholds the soldier's spirit, and he is never easily persuaded to revolt against his Government. Besides, the modern organisa tion of the army is such that it is impossible for any one unit to break out into revolt, because no one unit is com plete in itself. The army, as a matter of fact, is com posed of six or seven parts, all of which during an operaw tion are mutually inter-dependent and each, fully aware of the fact that in the event of desertion it will meet sure annihilation. Apart from this, aeroplanes, tanks and guns of modern types, have altogether changed the form of wars, a single aeroplane being capable of devastating a