Jinnah Archive Document No: 01340304

Last Updated: 10 Aug 2007

Interview to the Associated Press regarding his impression of the meeting of the Muslim League Council, New Delhi, 3rd April 1934

After two days' [01] deliberations of the Council meeting, which was the most representative that I have seen during my connection with the League, extending now to over 20 years, I must say I was immensely impressed with most of the speeches that were made there by various leaders, who came from different provinces in India. The League is perfectly sound and healthy, and the conclusion I have come to is that Musalmans will not lag behind any other community in serving the very best interests of India. To condemn the White Paper, one does not require special arguments, one has only got to read the White Paper [02] proposals and understand them, and that is enough. But while many of us feel that this treacherous scheme is almost at our door – and I for one have hesitated to declare my views with regard to the scheme – the problem of all problems which still confronts us is how to avert the scheme being foisted upon India. That cannot be achieved, and will not be achieved, until there is unity between Hindus and Muslims.

India looks forward to a real, solid, united front. Can we even at this eleventh hour bury the hatchet, and forget the past in the presence of imminent danger, and close our ranks to get sufficient strength to resist what is being hatched both at Downing Street and in Delhi? It is up to the leaders to put their heads together, and nothing will give me greater happiness than to bring about complete cooperation and friendship between Hindus and Muslims; and in this desire, my impression is that I have the solid support of Musalmans. The Council has passed a resolution [03] which is before the public. It clearly indicates how that unity can be achieved immediately. On my return to India, I have seen abundant evidence that public opinion, both Hindu and Muslim, thinks alike in terms of the political evolution of the country.

The emphasis which Muslims place on the Communal Award [04] is only an indication of their desire to make sure that any national demand which they join to put forward on behalf of the country will incorporate the safeguards which Muslims consider to be a minimum. Muslims are in no way behind any other community in their demand for national self-government. The crux of the whole issue, therefore, is: can we completely assure Muslims that the safeguards to which they attach vital importance will be embodied in the future Constitution of India?

ANNOTATIONS:

[1] 1-2 April 1934 in Delhi

[2] The White Paper of 1933 was a legislative proposal for an all-India federation scheme drafted by the British Government. The Government of India Act 1935 was written up based on the White Paper’s recommendations.

[3] The actual resolutions from this two day meeting are not available (SS Pirzada 1969 Vol. II p.231) but a summary is included in Appendix 1

[04] The Communal Award, announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932, proposed separate electorates for the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and European constituencies. The Depressed Classes would vote in general constituencies, but they were also to be granted special constituencies that would last twenty years (or less if the community consented to it).