The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 160
C H A P T E R XII. Pro'tection of Culture and Religion. DETAILED STUDY-( Continued) In respect of this demand I need not say much at this place, as I have already dealt at length with this question of safeguard for culture and religion in my vari ous wnbngs. I would only repeat here that religious conversions and religious propaganda should be free from every kind of restrictions. For the better elucidation of the subject, I think a brief list of the various safeguards imposed in Europe for the protection of the minorities would be helpful. I, therefore, give below a summary of those points, considered to be necessary for the pro tection of their culture and their religion, and I would recommend that these might be kept in view at the time of drafting a constitution for the country and arriving at a Hindu-Muslim understanding. In the Congress of Berlin in 1878 on the occasion of recognising the independence of Rumania, the following provisions were made in the interests of the Muslim and Jewish minorities : - (I) No one would be deprived of his civil or military rights on grounds of religion, nor debarred from Govern ment offices, or honours, nor from the assemblies, nor from joining the different professions and arts. (2) No one would be prevented from organising or forming religious association, or from meeting religious leaders within or without the country. Among the treaties made under the auspices of the. � League of Nations for the protection of the minorities,