The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 38
CH APTER IV CAN DETAILS BE LEFT OVER TILL THE ATTAINMENT OF DOMINION STATUS? 1J3 EFORE saying a word in justification of Muslim de- mands, let me disabuse the Muslim P'). ind of a danger ous idea, lest it should lead them to take such a step as it may not be possible for them to retrace and nothing but heart. . . burning may be the consequence thereof. It is urged to come to some decision novv to be modified later on, if any injurious aspect issues out of it. I understand that most of the 1\1ussalmans feel in the same strain, and as a result of this. there prevails among them a false, and, I would say, a danger ous sense of security. If the Muslims only realised that it· would be beyond their power to alter any decision they might make to. . . day about S\varaj, they would not be so hasty, and before taking a step fraught with so many dangers, they would try to answer a thousand ques. . tions and discover various means of retreat. But it is most deplorable that some people have knowingly or un knowingly given the community an assurance that in case the present decision prove injurious in any respect, it will be possible to alter it in future. The Mussalmans are thus under this impression that the proposed changes will be nothing ;more than an experiment, that in case of defects coming to light, a new scheme will have to be devised. But I would tell them with all emphasis at my command that things stand quite th� other way. When a step has been taken to-day, there will be no going back to-morrow. It will be far easier for them to get all their demands acceded to now ; but after Swaraj has once been attained it will be simply impossible.