The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 52
52 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN the irresponsible Muslim elements in the Punjab Legislature appealed to the Chairman, Lord Sankey, "My Lord, you are a judge. You will be surprised to know that one of their members was tried seven times for murder! Seven murders to his credit, My Lord. " I was more amused than irritated for I knew the facts. So when he paused for breath, I interjected a very gentle question: "Was this gentleman who is being referred to a Hindu or a Muslim?" "Never mind what he was, he sat on your side," and the Pundit continued on his course. In fact the person he had referred to was a Hindu member from Rohtak. Lord Sankey was irritated by this harangue on a question which had been settled in principle and was not likely to be re-opened. What he was afraid of was a counterblast from the Muslims the next day. The Committee sat late that day to let Mr. Nanak Chand finish. When we got down to the cloakroom below and were getting our coats and hats, Nanak Chand asked, "Zafrulla, will you answer me tomorrow?" and I said, "Nanak Chand, I am afraid I will not gratify you in that respect. " He enquired, "Why not?" I said with a laugh, "My dear Nanak Chand, if I were to answer you, then what would be the difference between you and me?" Next day when my turn came I made my comments on the merits of whatever was under discussion and wound up with, "My Lord, yesterday we heard a long speech urging that an exception should be made in the case of the Punjab with respect to the transfer of law and order to popular control. All I wish to say on that is that if any such distinction is attempted, it will wreck the whole scheme altogether. Thank you, Lord Chairman. " Lord Sankey must have felt greatly relieved and said at once, "I entirely agree. " That was the end of that particular suggestion. The Third Roundtable Conference did very useful work in giving concrete shape to proposals on which the White Paper could be based. Mahatma Gandhi, who had been present at the Second Roundtable Conference, had gone back and started his non-cooperation or passive resistance movement, and the Congress and the Government were again at loggerheads. The Congress was thus not represented in the Third Roundtable Conference.