(EDITORIAL) “Why can you not accept my statement that I aspire to represent all sections that comprise the people of India?” This question is addressed to Mr. Jinnah in a letter written by Mr. Gandhi … and it gives in a nutshell the spirit of arrogation assumed by the Congress through its Resolution of August 8, 1942, empowering Mr. Gandhi to negotiate for the whole of India, Muslims included. … The reply to this naïve query is that Muslims prefer to be represented on their own account and they do not feel that their interests are safe in the hands of the Mahatma. …

The C.R. formula itself declared that in the event of Pakistan and Hindustan being created, there shall be mutual agreements “safeguarding defence and commerce and communications and other essential purposes”. The enforcement of safeguards by an apex authority brings on the scene the very source of dread against which Muslims require protection. …

… [I]t would be fatal to encourage the amiable proposal of the Mahatma … “to represent all sections that compose the people of India”. This old obsession is at the root of much trouble and should be…burnt out of the system for negotiations to be useful. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2014