The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 14
14 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN a party which would be devoted to the interests of the underdog. As the Muslims, though a majority in the population of the Punjab, were comparatively the weaker in the Legislature party, it would help the Muslims and it would help the rural interests among the Hindus and Sikhs if they could work together for the uplift of the rural and backward sections of the population. Very broadly speaking, the Unionist Party was the rural party as against the main Hindu’s Party, which was the urban party. In the Punjab, Muslim interests throughout continued to be identified largely with rural interests. Gradually the practical considerations overrode theory and doctrine. Sir Muhammed Shafi fairly early reconciled himself to Sir Fazle Hussain's leadership on the practical side and himself continued to occupy a respected position as a senior leader, politician and statesman, but confined himself to the leadership of the Muslim League. There was actually no conflict between the two. The principal workers on both sides, behind them, were largely the same. Question: I wonder if I might ask, Mr. Ambassador, whether or not you see, as many people have been writing on the Punjab, a development of cooperation between the so-called official bloc, that is, British rulers and civil servants in the Punjab, and any wing of the Unionist Party as against other parties ? Khan : There was no alliance, whether open or secret, of that kind at all. As a matter of fact, it was contrary to British policy to enter into any alliance of that kind. On the other hand, it was well known that naturally the British, as those in whose hands the overall authority still rested, were, in the first place, on the merits of the question, anxious to foster the welfare of the backward classes, mainly the rural classes. Also, as the rural elements were, as everywhere, the more conservative elements, except where an ideological revolution had overtaken them. In the Punjab fortunately there was no dominant landholding class. It had always been known as the "Peasant Province. " Quite a large proportion of cultivable land was owned by the actual cultivators. There were very few large estates, not more than two or three, say a score in the Province. Official sympathy thus inclined towards the rural classes and they found it easier to work in co-operation with them, because the greater part of what was known as "nation-building work" of the administration affected them directly, e. g. , rural schools, rural communications, extension of medical aid and facilities into rural areas, etc. That became the sheet anchor of Sir Fazle Hussain's policy and constituted his real strength. His policy proved very successful and it