The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 48
[ 48 ] ally of such, whose activities contribute little towards the civic or political life of the country, can hardly make any impression when pitched against a large population. In Bardoli, the strength of the non-co-operators' position consisted in their having the country behind them. The Britishers could not come over to purchase their lands in India. But if it ever comes to a conflict between the Hindus and the Muslims, the former will not suffer any of the disadvantages which Englishmen had to experi ence. They will be able to put in three Hindus for every Mussalman. Thus the idea of fighting the Hindus through non-co-operation is also not worth consideration. THE HELP OF FOREIGN Po,vERS. The third alternative is that the Moslems should seek the co. . . operation of foreign powers in order to regain their lost rights. That too is hardly feasible. Firstly, no foreign country could be expected for their sake to enter into hostilities with a neighbouring power. Is there in the near past any example of any Muslim power coming to the help of another? How then should we persuade ourselves to believe that the adjoining powers will hasten to our aid? Again it is a sheer madness to expect that an outside power will sacrifice lakhs of men and crores of rupees, and in the event of a victory will withdraw in favour of the Indian Mussalmans. The invading power will either demand the whole of the conquered territory or a portion thereof ; and I am sure that a section of the Indian Muslims themselves would oppose such a demand and refuse to admit the foreigners into their country. Thirdly, even assuming that some foreign power would feel disposed to make such an adventure, what power is there prepared to launch an attack against a vast country like India, thoroughly equipped with all the mode1·n impli-