The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 102
[ 102 ] poses to make Sindh a semi-independent province ; and indicates its intention of converting the Bengal Muslim majority into a Hindu majority which, according to its own dictum, cannot be rejected. Further in the Punjab there has already been started a movement which, it is not in the power of the Muslims, to check. Thus, what the Report gives to the Mussalmans is, in short, a semi independent Sindh, a Hindu Bengal, and a Hindu Punjab. There remains the question of the N. W. F. Provinces. and Baluchistan. The case of the latter has been left ambiguous. Even if it is granted independence, th-e Muslims shall have only two minor provinces, viz. , the N. W. F. Provinces, and Baluchistan, which would only serve as a route for a most pathetic retreat reminding the Muslims that, as a punishment for their blindly throw ing away what God had given them, they should now withdraw themselves by the same way through which they came. MUSLIM DEMAND REASONABLE. Having explained the difference between the Nehru Committee proposals and the Muslim demand, I now pro ceed to discuss whether the Muslim demand is at all a reasonable one. It is admitted on all hands, that people, with a distinctive religion and culture, should be afforded opportunities for free and unrestricted progress and de. . velopment, or else, the door is opened for disorder and troubles, and peace becomes impossible. In Europe, wherever there is a diversity of tongue and culture, separate territories have been formed aflording the people opportunities for free national development. I have already cited the instance of Czechoslovakia, where, the Rothunians have been allowed to enjoy autonomy in their internal affairs. The component states of the United