DACCA: Replying to a deputation of Hindu members of the East Bengal Legislative Asse­mbly on Sunday [March 21], Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah asked the Hindus to co-operate whole-heartedly as Pakistanis in spirit and action with the Government. It would then be easy for the Government to discharge their functions smoothly. The Quaid-i-Azam also received a deputation of the Scheduled Castes Federation of East Bengal. Replying to their representations, he said: “We stand by our declarations that members of every community will be treated as citizens of Pakistan with equal rights and privileges and obligations and that the minorities will be safeguarded and protected.”

… As regards their local grievances and difficulties about food, accommodation, requisitioning of property and facilities of travel and communication between East and West Bengal, the Quaid-i-Azam said that they must realise the difficulties with which the new state was confronted. According to his information and understanding Pakistan was a thousand times better in all these matters than any other country including India. He said that it was clear that in Pakistan life and property of every man was safe.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2023