Danger Of Civil War

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1946, Page 7

Danger Of Civil War

Jinnah Warns

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 13. A disastrous civil war faced India if England did not recognise the Moslem ideal of Pakistan, said Mr Jinnah. broadcasting to America. Hindus and Moslems were two nations different from each other in everything that mattered, he said. If the tragedy that had been seen in India recently was not immediately arrested, and if the British Government followed a policy of drift, India would be forced into civil war, which would be felt all over the world.

What Britain had accomplished in India was one of the most splendid achievements of the human race, said Sir John Anderson, during the House of Commons debate on India.

He- had misgivings about the Cabinet Mission’s proposals, he said, adding:

“I had no idea that a fundamental change in the constitutional structure would be made without the authority of Parliament. “It was a blunder of the first order to allow party nominees to constitute a responsible instrument on which the Government and Parliament must rely for the discharge of responsibilities which are quite clearly those of Britain and the British Parliament.’’

Britain had swept aside the administrative safeguards hitherto regarded as vital to minorities and other Indian interests she had pledged to protect. “GILBERTIAN SITUATION” Mr R. A. Butler said it was a Gilbertian situation when the Government made a statement and then had to refer the statement to the Judiciary to find out what it meant. He asked what the Government intended to do if the Indian Federal Court's interpretation was contrary to the Government’s interpretation or intention.

The Constituent Assembly was not representative, and therefore any reports of an Indian republic must be taken as not representative of the absentees from the Assembly.

Congress had gained only 29 per cent, of the votes at the primary provincial elections, but had 27 representatives against two for the scheduled caste of Dr Ambedkar. The poorest class in India had been sold to Congress, its long-time oppressor.

Replying to the debate, the Minister of Defence (Mr A. V. Alexander) rejected Mr Churchill's suggestion that Britain was not applying a national policy. SUPPORTED BY PEOPLE

He claimed that the policy towards India was supported by the British people as a whole.

“I have yet to learn of any practical alternative plan which might secure agreement,” Mr Alexander said.

It was most improper for Mr Churchill to make charges and accusations while the Chief Justice of India was investigating the outbreaks of disorder.

Mr Alexander expressed appreciation of the restraint shown by most speakers, but described as disastrous Lord Winterton's statement yesterday that the rupture between the Hindus and Moslems was irrevocable.

Mr Alexander* hoped Mr Churchill and Lord Winterton would support the Government's efforts to find a basis of cooperation between Hindus and Moslems and to secure the participation of the Moslem League in the Constituent Assembly.

i The Government regarded adequate protection for minorities as essential. He repudiated as false Mr Churj chill’s statement yesterday that the Government had given an impulse to [ Indian hatreds and quarrels. The position existing at the end of ,the war might have produced more serious results but for the Cabinet Mission. “IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT” He was deeply shocked to hear Mr Churchill say that the Government's action in proceeding with the formation of the interim Government had precipitated a series of massacres. This was an irresponsible statement. ‘‘Surely we can plead with the Indians now to come together in the Assembly and make a Constitution which is free and forbids harm to the liberty of minorities.

“If they come to us with a Constitution like that the Government would cariy out every word of its pledges, and recommend the cession of sovereignty.”

Mr Alexander added that senior British officers in the Indian Army were anxious to hand over their handiwork unimpaired to the Free India of the future.

Mr Churchill; Are they to hand over themselves as well? Mr Alexander replied that the Indian Government would be free lo ask them to serve.

Mr Churchill asked whether the decisions of the present Constituent Assembly were to be accepted, although the Assembly represented only one major body in India.

Mr Alexander replied that the Government was confining its efforts to persuading the parties to come together to avoid bloodshed.

It could not contemplate forcing on an unwilling section of the community anything it did not want to accept. Mr Churchill pressed the question whether the Government reserved its position cn decisions of the Constituent Assembly. Mr Alexander said he refused to answer hypothetical questions. Britain was labouring to gel the Moslem representatives into the Assembly. he said. The issue was vital to the Indian Commonwealth and the peace of the world. NEHRU ON MONARCHY Mr Nehru, outlining the resolution for an “Independent. Sovereign Republic,” said, in reference to the King's position; “If a monarchial figurehead is approved by the people of the stale, whether I like it or not, I shall not interfere," states a New Delhi message. He emphasised that subjects of the Indian states must have the full opportunity of sharing in a free India. He personally stood for Socialism. He hoped India would do so. When asked why the word “democratic” did not precede "republic” in the resolution, Mr Nehru said all the past of Congress proved that it stood for Democracy. A monarchy could not be produced in India from nothing. In any case, whatever Government was established it must be of the people’s temper. “Wo have gone into the Valley of Death for freedom. We shall go again if the necessity arises," he added. After Mr Nehru's resolution had been seconded, the Assembly adjoumjed until December IG.