The Turkish Peace — Page 51
51 unlawful and violent means to sustain a living. Moreover, before any such policy is implemented its objectives need to be determined. By my reckoning the only possible reason for such a course of action is to exert pressure on the British government to rectify the mistakes it has made in the terms of peace offered to Turkey. In any case, if this boycott makes a difference it will be limited to India and its effects will be felt after a number of years. Even if we accept that all Muslims will be ready to act upon such a course of action, it is still beyond dispute that it will take years of effort and persuasion to prepare them for this undertaking and by the time this proposal becomes a practical reality, the treaty with Turkey would have long been settled. At such a time, the British government would be unable to take back territory from the likes of France, Greece and Armenia even if it wanted to. Secondly, it ought to be kept in mind that if all Muslims acted upon this proposal, it would still be insufficient to exert any pressure on the British as Muslims form only one-fourth of the population of India. The remaining three-fourths is comprised mainly of Hindus and close to 4 million Christians. Even if Muslims renounce their honours and titles this will have no bearing on the government. And if they choose to give up their