A SERIOUS clash between Hindus and Muslims was averted by the intervention of audience at Metro Cinema Hall, when a news reel regarding the meeting of Indian leaders with Cabinet Mission was being shown, reports O.P.I from Calcutta. When the Congress leaders were seen on the screen the Congress slogans were raised, but when Mr. Jinnah was shown, some Hindu students made objectionable remarks. Muslim students raised their voices in protest and there was some hand to hand fight for about five minutes.

[Meanwhile, it was reported that] “The recent statement issued by the Congress President in regard to the coming election of the next President of the Congress has put me in an embarrassing position,” stated Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in a statement to the Press, says A.P.I. from New Delhi…. “Normally, I would have remained silent and given anxious thought to the matter for the decision is going to be no easy one for me. All my instincts drive me to keep away from an office whose responsibilities might well overwhelm any person…. The election that is to come has nothing to do with the political conversations going on. It will not take effect for many weeks to come….”

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2021