ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY 99
Explanatory Memorandum to the said Memorandum
1. The suggested details for community representation have not been agreed by the Hindus or the Sikhs, but the full representation claimed by the latter in the Central Legislature is provided for.
2. The proposed distribution of seats for the different minorities constitutes a whole scheme and the detailed proposals cannot be separated one from another.
3. This distribution of seats follows the principle that in no case is the majority community to be reduced to the position of a minority of even equality.
4. No representaion is provided for Commerce, Landlords, Industry, Labour, etc. It being assumed that these seats are ultimately communal and that communities desiring special representation for these interests may do so out of the communal quota.
5. The allowance of 33½ per cent representation to Muslims in the Central Legislature is based on the assumption that 26 per cent shall be from British India and at least 7 per cent by convention out of the quota assigned to the Indian States.
6. In the Punjab the suggested common sacrifice by the Muslims, Caste Hindus and the Depressed Classes, would permit of a weightage of 54 per cent, being given to the Sikhs, giving them representation of 20 per cent, in the Legislature.
7. The proposals may be taken as being acceptable to well over 115 millions of people, or about 46 per cent of the population of India.” *
The British Premier tried in his own way to bring the Indian delegates to a frame of mind for a settlement. The Premier’s daugther gave a party to choice delegates. The Maharaja of Baroda,
*This appeared as appendix III in the original proceeding of the Federal Structure Committee and Minorities Committee, Pp. 1394-99.