The Nehru Report and Muslim Rights — Page 102
[ 102 ] poses to make Sindh a semi-independent province ; and indicates its intention of converting the Bengal <mark>Muslim</mark> majority into a Hindu majority which, according to its own dictum, cannot be rejected. Further in the Punjab there has already been started a movement which, it is not in the power of the <mark>Muslim</mark>s, to check. Thus, what the Report gives to the Mussalmans is, in short, a semi independent Sindh, a Hindu Bengal, and a Hindu Punjab. There remains the question of the N. W. F. Provinces. and Baluchistan. The case of the latter has been left ambiguous. Even if it is granted independence, th-e <mark>Muslim</mark>s shall have only two minor provinces, viz. , the N. W. F. Provinces, and Baluchistan, which would only serve as a route for a most pathetic retreat reminding the <mark>Muslim</mark>s that, as a punishment for their blindly throw ing away what God had given them, they should now withdraw themselves by the same way through which they came. <mark>MUSLIM</mark> DEMAND REASONABLE. Having explained the difference between the Nehru Committee proposals and the <mark>Muslim</mark> demand, I now pro ceed to discuss whether the <mark>Muslim</mark> demand is at all a reasonable one. It is admitted on all hands, that people, with a distinctive religion and culture, should be afforded opportunities for free and unrestricted progress and de. . velopment, or else, the door is opened for disorder and troubles, and peace becomes impossible. In Europe, wherever there is a diversity of tongue and culture, separate territories have been formed aflording the people opportunities for free national development. I have already cited the instance of Czechoslovakia, where, the Rothunians have been allowed to enjoy autonomy in their internal affairs. The component states of the United