HINDUISM.............CHARACTER AS.......... 347
(3) That failing agreement the British Government would submit the dispute to an International Tribunal for decision, and
(4) That when such decision is given the British Government shall undertake to give effect to it as a part of the Dominion Constitution for India.
Such a declaration must satisfy all reasonable people. As far as I am able to see, it meets Mr. Jinnah’s point of view and the point of view of the Depressed Classes that there must be an agreed solution of the communal problem. It also meets the Congress point of view that no element in the national life of British India should be allowed the power to veto the birth of a Dominion Consitution. The arguments that we are in the midst of the war is no argument against making the declaration. Indeed, it is an argument in favour of it.
Harijan-Muslim Bone of Contention
Should the declaration be accompanied by a National Government ? It would be better if it could be done. But there is a diffculty for which Mr. Jinnah is making two demands : (1) One is ultimate, namely Pakistan; (2) The other is immediate, namely 50 per cent representation in the Cabinet.
l can quite understand the demand for Pakistan when Mr. Jinnah says that the Muslims are a nation, I feel no reason to quarrel. When Mr. Jinnah says the Muslims must have Pakistan because they are a nation, I say have it, if you do not thereby run away with a large belt of Hindu population, who on your own theory are of different nationality.
With regard to Pakistan I feel like pointing out that Mr. Jinnah seems to be counting his chickens before they are hatched, and reckoning without the host.
The N. W. F. is the most integral part of this Pakistan. Mr. Jinnah must admit that he is not the host of the N. W. F. The host is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Without his consent, there could be no Pakistan. Rather than carry on a whirlwind propaganda in favour of Pakistan, Mr. Jinnah should spend his time and energy in converting Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. That is, however, a matter for Jinnah to consider. As I said, I can understand Pakistan.