WILL CONGRESS CARRY INDIA 1
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sia,—An argument frequently raised by critics of the National Government's Indian policy is that it' means handing over the administration to the National Congress, which is revolution. ary in its aims. I can find no justification for it in the known facts of the situation.
The fair representation of minorities has always been a cardinal feature in these discussions: When it was challenged by the Congress representative at the second session of the Round Table Conference, it was crystallized in the Minorities Pact, to which all great minorities, save the Sikhs, were signatory. These discussions took definite form in the Communal Award of the Government—an award so equitable that, with the inevitable murmurings, it has won general acceptance. These minorities are, and will remain, outside the Congress.
Since that award Mr. Gandhi, representing the Hindu community, has concluded the Poona Pact with the depressed classes, allocating them large representation, on what is in an effect a communal basis, in the legislatures. For their own security, the depressed classes must make common cause with the other minorities ; they will therefore remain outside the Congress.- Under a Federal Scheme the Indian States will be largely represented in the Federal Legislatures. Those who are best qualified to examine the probable results of an election under the Government's scheme can see no possibility of the Congress, even if it revives, winning 3 majority either now or in the future in any of the legislative bodies, whether Federal or Provincial.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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