The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 79
[ 79 ] be their aim, the Muslims shall most undoubtedly not sacrifice their higher obligations to patriotic considera tions. ( vi) The six ch cause of this suppresgion of a minority lies in the exploitation by the majority of the economic backwardness of the 1ninority. The majority under such circumstances is naturally afraid of losing its advantages in the event of an a'\'vakening among the minority com munity. It is anxious, therefore, to keep the minority backward. This factor also does no doubt exist now in India. Just as most of the ,vealth of Europe is due to the backwardness of Asia, so is most of the wealth of the Hindus due, directly or indirectly, to the backward ness of the Muslims. The Muslims are not traders, the· Hindus, therefore, monopolise all the advantages of trade. l\1uslims are not factory-owners, as a result, the whole profit of industry is being enjoyed by the Hindus. Muslims are few in the: higher professions, for example, law, medicine and engineering. Therefore. the Hindus are reaping the whole benefit of these professions. Muslims are neither financiers nor bankers. The banks, therefore, add only to the Hindu wealth. There are few Muslim contractors, the profit of this business also, there fore, goes to the Hindus. Muslims are backward in education. As a result, the Government posts mostly go to the Hindus, and they alone derive most of the ad vantages of the Universities. In short, in every economic field, Muslims are lagging behind, and the result is that Hindus are growing richer at their expense. The Hindus are, therefore, aware that an awakening among the Mus lims will mean loss to them as a portion of the country's wealth will then be appropriated by the Mussalmans. Under the circumstances, it is foolish to think that the Hindus will willingly and gladly allow the Muslims to go ahead. Would the Muslims give away their property to·