The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 33
33 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN agree. In fact, he had not much objection to any of them, except one, and some of them he welcomed, and that therefore on those there was not much difficulty. But that one of them, namely, the continuation of the system of separate electorates in the legislative bodies in India - a certain number of seats being reserved for a particular community to be filled by people elected only by the voters of that community, he felt great difficulty. He thought this was a harmful system, it tended to keep the two sides apart, and led to other undesirable consequences. But that was not what stood in the way of his agreeing to it. If the Muslims thought that it was a safeguard that they needed, and insisted upon its retention though he thought it would not be a happy solution of that particular aspect of the problem, he would nevertheless agree, but there was his promise to Dr. Ansari, that he would not come to any decision particularly on this matter without consulting him. What was to be done? Again, it was, after a good deal of discussion, that I asked Mr. Gandhi's permission to put one or two questions so that I could get the position clear in my own mind. He again nodded gracious consent, and I said, "Sir, supposing we send for Dr. Ansari and Dr. Ansari agrees to come, and as you have very kindly said, you, despite your own disinclination, urge upon Dr. Ansari that in the interests of an agreement, you were prepared to agree and that he should also agree, and that you would even plead with him to accept the proposal, and supposing he said, 'Sir, I am devoted to you, as you know very well, and if an occasion arose for me to lay down my life for you, I would do it very readily and would be very happy to do it, but this is not a question of any personal sacrifice. I honestly and sincerely believe that this system is harmful to India and is also harmful to the interests of the Muslims, of who I am one. this is a trust on behalf of the people of India including the Muslims, and I cannot betray that trust by agreeing to something which I honestly consider is harmful,' what would be your attitude?" He said, "My attitude would be that I would then support his position. " I continued, "Supposing in the meantime the Muslims in the Congress held a meeting and they cabled you, 'In the interests of an agreement, we urge that this should be accepted' would that affect your position, if Dr. Ansari still continued his opposition?" He said, "No. I would still be with Dr. Ansari. " Finally, I said, "Sir, if the position were reversed, supposing Dr. Ansari, as a result of your pleading and our pleading also if it became necessary, was willing to agree as you are