(EDITORIAL) On the eve of the Gandhi-Jinnah talks the Mahatma had stated that any failure would mean “the bankruptcy of wisdom in India” but despite the breakdown reported from Bombay, we would regard it more as a stage of proceedings than the filing of an insolvency petition. … At the meeting of the League Council at Lahore Mr. Jinnah was authorised to proceed with the talks on the assurance that the principle of Pakistan had been accepted by Mr. Gandhi, a belief that now stands [shattered] to pieces by Mr. Gandhi himself …. We expected discussion to turn difficult over matters like district-wise referendum, absolute majority, plebiscite, … boundaries and other matters … but … it is clear that compliance with the Muslim claim lies on Mr. Gandhi’s lips and does not come from the heart.

… Again it is crystal clear that there was from the very beginning an “if” in Mr. Gandhi’s reported adoption of the C.R. formula which had envisaged the creation of Hindustan side by side with the autonomous Pakistan States that are so essential for the survival of the Muslims in India and vital to the civilized purpose of preventing a Central hegemony dominated by the Caste Hindus of this sub-continent. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2014