Friday, February 12, 2010

Pakistan, Delhi Muslim Proposal (1927)






Considering separate electorates to be the main hindrance in improving hindu-Muslim relations Quad -i-Azam proposed that if the Hindus agreed to provide certain safeguards, the Muslim would give up the demand of separate electorate .Consequently, the proposals were formally approved at a conference held by the Muslims in 1927 at Delhi, and are now called "The Delhi-Muslim Proposals,1927". Following are the safeguards that were proposed;
1. The formation of a separate Province of Sindh (Previously Sindh was along with bombay Province)
2. Introduction of reforms in the north west frontier Province and in Baluchistanon the same footing as in other province.
Unless and until the above proposals were implemented, the Muslims would never surrendor the right of their representation through separate electorates.Muslims would be willing to abondonseparate electorates in favour of joint electorates with the reservation of seats  fixed in proportion to the population of different communities . If the above two proposals were implemented to the full satisfaction of the Muslims and also if the following proposals were accepted.
4. Hindu minorities in Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP be accorded the same concessions in the form of reservation of seats over and above the proportion of their population as Muslims would get in Hindu majority provinces.
5. Muslim representation in the central Legislative would not be less than one-third.
6. In addition to provisions like religious freedom , there was to be a further guarantee in the constitution that on the communal matters no bill or resolution would be considered or passed if three-fourth of the members of the community concerned were opposed to it.
These proposals were to be accepted or rejected in toto. So, in effect, the Muslims agreed to give up the separate electorates in form of the reservation of seats . Unfortunately, the Congress first accepted but latter rejected the proposal.