(EDITORIAL) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s insistence on seeking a clarification of the Pakistan demand can hardly be entertained when he deliberately distorts the principle of self-determination as it is usually understood in its historical context. Simultaneously Mr. Asif Ali, in a statement issued from Srinagar, has urged the Indian Musalmans to demand a clear and definite statement from the advocates of Pakistan about the proposed constitution of the Pakistan areas and the material benefits likely to be derived from the separation of Pakistan from the rest of India. These are, in fact, the stock arguments of anti-Pakistanists which have been, on more occasions than one, effectively answered by League leaders, publicists and writers. There is scarcely any ambiguity about the principle which underlies the Pakistan demand and, once the principle is accepted, the details can be hammered out at the time of India’s future constitutional settlement.

Have the Congressmen ever cared or tried to define the meaning of Swaraj? For multitudinous communities which inhabit India it means only a slogan to wrest power from the Britishers but how is this power going to be divided among its legitimate claimants? Does it mean complete independence or only Dominion status?

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2020