The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 140
[ 140 ] alone. Had there been the question of the domination of a majority over a minority, then the Sikhs would have been the larger sufferers being the smaller minority com munity,-almost half as much as the Hindus. The figures therefore do in no way prove that the Muslims' gain was due to their strength. On the contrary, they prove that the Hindu community is not interested enough in the District Boards. The facts do not therefore warrant the conclusion that in the elections to the councils also, the Hindus would suffer a defeat at the hands of their Mu slim rivals. The fact must not be lost sight of that it is the land holders who are most interested in the District Boards. The traders no doubt purchase landed property, but they dislike turning agriculturists, and do not take such in terest in the District Boards as they otherwise might be expected to ci:::>. As for the Hindu agriculturist, he is as much oppressed by the Baniya as the Mussalman. In government offices, the Hindu agriculturists o-f Rohtak, Garbaon, Hissar, Kamal and Ambala, will not be found in appreciable number,-in fact they are fewer than the Muslim employees. That is why they co-operate with the Muslims in getting rid of the domination of the Baniya Elections to District Boards are mostly fought out by the members of this class and not by the Sahuk,ara and the Hindu trading classes. Moreover, it must be remembered that neither the central political bodies take active part in elections to District Boards, nor do the wealthy men from cities con test seats in those elections. In the elections to the Councils, on the other hand, central political bodies take active part, and rich men from the cities join the con test. The two elections have therefore little resem- , , blance to each other.