The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 176
• [ 176 ] a � ce of the Nehru-Report. And if as a consequence of this wrong impression, some such changes be introduced in the constitution as are detrimental to the interests of the Muslim community, then it would indeed be really a hard job to rectify the mistake, and the old plea of status quo would stand in the way of safeguarding the Muslim rights. Apart from this, it is also necessary to hold pubiic meetings in order to educate Muslim public opinion re garding what pertains to their interest and advancement. The supporters of the Nehru-Report are traversing the country, and making every possible efforts to enlist public support for their views but the opposite group has taken no steps to explain the demerits of the Report to the general body of Muslims. And it is well-known that the public at large cannot be expected to understand these complex questions unaided. The secret of Mr. Gandhi's influence lay in his change of audience-in his appeal to the man in the street, while his predecessors thought the secret of India's success lay in their approach to the intelligensia. It cannot be gainsaid that the advocates of a democratic form of government cannot succeed without enlisting the support of the masses. It is not possible for any body to demand a democratic form of government, and at the same time to turn his back to the masses. It is, therefore, indispensable to educate the Muslim masses on the present state of affairs, and for that pur. . • pose to hold meetings in all cities, towns and villages, and to consolidate the Muslim opinion. A conference of the enlightened can certainly help in arriving at a right and sound decision, but it will lack the power to make that decision effective unless there be the masses behind it.