In the course of the talks between the Congress President and Mr Jinnah, President of the All India Muslim League, Mr Jinnah suggested any agreement that might be arrived at, should be based on a clear understanding of the position of the Congress and of the Muslim League. He proposed that the conversations should proceed on the following lines:
“The All-India Muslim League, as the authoritative and representative organisation of the Indian Muslims and the Congress, as the authoritative and representative organisation of the solid body of Hindu opinion, have hereby agreed to the following terms by way of a pact between the two majority communities and as a settlement of the Hindu-Muslim question.”
After further consideration a somewhat different wording was suggested by him as follows:
“The Congress and the All India Muslim League, as the authoritative and representative organisation of the Mussalmans of India, have hereby agreed to the following terms of a Hindu-Muslim settlement by way of a pact.”
This second statement, though shorter, apparently embodies the same idea which is given in the first, that is, that the Congress should represent the Hindus and the Muslim League the Mussalmans.
The Congress cannot possibly consider itself or function as if it represented one community only even though that might be the majority community in
India. Its doors must inevitably be open to all communities and it must welcome Indians who agree with its general policy and methods. It cannot accept the position of representing one community and thus itself becoming a communal organisation. At the same time the Congress is perfectly willing to confer and cooperate with other organisations which represent minority interests.
It is obvious that the Mussalmans of India, although a minority in the whole country, form a considerable part of the population and their desires must be considered in any scheme affecting India, It is also true that All India Muslim League is an organisation representing a large body of Muslim opinion which must carry weight. It is for this reason that the Congress has endeavoured to understand the viewpoint of the League and to come to an understanding with it. The Congress, however, would be bound to consult other existing Muslim organisations which have cooperated with the Congress in the past. Further in the event of other groups or minority interests being involved, it will be necessary to consult the representatives of such interests.