Indian Leaders' Views

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1947, Page 5

Indian Leaders' Views

Mr Nehru, broadcasting Congress acceptance of the plan said : “It is with no joy in my heart that I recommend these proposals, but I am convinced our present decision is right. “Maybe in this way we shall reach a united India sooner than we would have done otherwise, and on a surer foundation.”

Mr Nehru said he would seek to build anew relations with England on a friendly, cooperative basis, forgetting the past, “which has lain so heavily upon us." The plan determined the end of violence.

Mr Jinnah (Moslem) appealed to every community in India to maintain peace and harmony. He paid a triblite to Lord Mountbatten’s high sense of fairness and impartiality.

“The plan does not meet, 'in some important respects, with our views. It is for us to consider whether it should be accepted and the final decision can only be taken by the Moslem League Council,” he added.

Sardar Baldev Singh (Minister of Defence) broadcasting, said: “It is a great day—we have closed a dreary chapter.” The British plan steered a course obviously above conflicting Indian aims.

‘lt is not a compromise,” he said

“I prefer to call it a settlement. It does not please everybody—not the Sikh community anyway, but it is certainly something worth while. “’Let us take it at that. It would be untrue to say we are altogether happy.

“Our common quest for freedom need never have divided us.”