The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 149
- is usually conceded the right to rule, i§ a politicai majority. -fhis always changes according to changing circumstances, and is never a permanent body, nor such as is susceptible to religious bias in its decisions. When there is a fear that a particular majority would be sus ceptible to external influence in its decisions, and such majority is also permanent in nature, then the need arises for affording protection to the community which is likely to be the victim to such biased decisions. It may be urged that acco1ding to the above line of argument it would be necessary under every Government to grant to every religious minority representation in excess of their population ratio, and this would make a Representative Government altogether impossible. In answer, we may say that increased representation is in tended only for such minorities regarding which there is the apprehension that communal or religiou{i prejudices would work against them in their relation with the majority. In the absence of such special circumstances, a mere minority requires no special legislative aid. Even when there are more than one minorities whose co�bined strength is capable of deterring a majority from resort ing to oppressive methods, no special protective measure is needed. The difficulty in India is that there is only one important minority ; the Sikhs and the Buddhists though profes� to follow a religion different from that of the Hindus, are, nevertheless, a part of the Hindu body politic. Their presence does not work for the protection of the minorities. They actually strengthen the majority' 5 position. Had there been two real minorities in India whose combined strength would have formed an effective minority, India would not have been faced with the pro. . blem of protection for Muslim interests. At present the only other minority in India except the Muslims is that