The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 181
[ 182 ] that came into existence in Europe after the Great War, the words • • of considerable strength in population,'· would have been made more explicit and their meanings and implications rendered more definite, this clause would have given some satisfaction to the Muslims. The word • • considerable '· used in this clause is so indefinite that in all probability in no province in which they are in minority will the Muslims be able to avail themselves of the concession it is intended to give to the minorities, whereas the Hindus and the Sikhs of the Punjab are sure to benefit by it. • 2. A further addition has been made in clause 17 under the same heading. But this addition, too, far from being beneficial to the Muslims may prove positively in jurious for them. It reads thus, " and Parliament shall also make laws to ensure fair rent and fixity and per manence of tenure to agricultural tenants. " (Ibid. , p. 33). As far as I have been able to understand from reading the original report, it -is not within the purview of the Central Government to make laws of this nature. From Schedule No. I of the Nehru Report it appears that no power rests in the Central Government to legislate on matters governing the mutual relations of the landlords and tenants. Such powers are entirely vested in the Provincial Governments. Moreover this question in itself is of such vital im portance that it is impossible to attempt an all-India solu t ion for it, and the Government that will endeavour to enact a general law affecting equally all provinces, would decidedly harm the best interests of the country. The provinces, I think, should in this connection be left quite free to legislate as they deem proper and as it suits their own particular conditions, otherwise the Muslims, who