Nehru Report

Brief Account

In November, 1927, the British Government appointed a statutory commission head by Sir John Simon to inquire into the constitutional affairs of the country. Since, no Indian was present in this commission, the Indians did not welcome the Simon Commission. When the members of this commission were talking about the political situation of India, the Congress called on all parties conferences in Bombay on May 19, 1928. The Muslim League boycotted this conference. The all parties conference appointed a committee headed by Pundit Moti Lal Nehru to submit a report after considering the principles of a constitution for India. The committee recommended a proposal generally known as "Nehru Report."

Important points of Nehru Report

The main points of Nehru report are as follows:

  1. The Nehru Committee demanded repudiation of separate elections.
  2. It demanded the Form of Government at the center would be Federal with substantial powers invested in the control of government.
  3. It recommended separation of Sindh from Bombay.
  4. It recommended the one-third Muslim representation at the central legislative.
  5. The committee demanded interdiction of reforming Baluchistan and N.W.F.P provinces.
  6. The foreign affairs, defense and army should be placed under the control of parliament and viceroy.
  7. Unitary form of the Government to established in the center.
  8. Hindi should be the official language.

Conclusions from Nehru Report

  1. Nehru’s Recommendations were against the interests of the Muslim Community.
  2. The Muslims could not surrender their right to separate electorates.
  3. The principles of non-reservation and joint electorates were to make their position in Punjab and Bengal provinces.

Reactions Towards Nehru Report

The Nehru Report projected the Hindu leaderships mentality ailed at the digestion of the Muslim nation under the cover of one nation in the India-Pakistan Sub Continent.

Since the report was totally against the interests of the Muslims, therefore, Muslim League and other Muslim Parties of the country rejected it. Quaid-e-Azam said:

"The majorities are apt to be tyrannical and oppressive and particularly religious majorities and the minorities, therefore, they have a right to be absolutely secured."

He was shocked to hear the proposal of Nehru Report, therefore in March,1929, he called a meeting of Muslim League and put forwarded his Fourteen points as the minimum demands for any political settlement.

Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar considered at as an attempt to secure predomination of Hindus over Muslims. His brother, Maulana Shaukat Ali said:

"As a young man he had been a keen owner of grey hounds, but he had never grey hounds deal with hare as the Hindus proposed to deal with the Muslims."

In a Nut Shell

Thus, the Nehru Report reflected the hostility, mental level and attitude of the Hindus towards the Muslims of India. All its proposals were made disregarding the interests of the Muslims.

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