Page:A Nation in Making.djvu/330

Newab Ali Chowdhury had published a striking pamphlet over his name, in which he marshalled with convincing force and the skill of a practised controversialist the arguments against Non-Co-ope- ration. Coming from a Mohamedan leader of his position and at such a time, it was bound to make a great impression. Lord Ronaldshay wanted a representative from East Bengal among his Ministers; and here was a Mohamedan gentleman, of high social position, from that part of the country, who had definitely made up his mind—and made no secret of it—to co-operate with the Government and work for the Reforms. Courage is a valuable quality in politics, and the Nawab Sahib had shown it. I was there- fore not surprised when I read in the newspapers the announce- ment. that Nawab Newab Ali Chowdhury had been appointed Minister.

Between him and ourselves, his Hindu colleagues, the personal relations were friendly and even cordial; and, on the whole, in the business of Government, there was a general agreement. We often acted together and we tried to help one another. We entered into no binding agreement, no solemn league and covenant as in a neighbouring province; but here our personal relations were so satisfactory, that anything like a pact became unnecessary, and mutual trust and confidence became the cement of our union in the performance of our public duties. In our union, spontaneous and 'cordial, in the high functions of Government, is afforded evidence of the powerlessness of the disruptive influence of communal forces, when dominated and controlled by mutual goodwill and confidence.

Only in one matter was there any marked difference and despite the practical lesson afforded by our joint action as Ministers. That was in connexion with the question of communal representa- tion. The Nawab Sahib and Sir Abdur Rahim, member of the Executive Council, were both its active and thoroughgoing suppor- ters; and we, the Hindu Ministers, were as whole-heartedly opposed to it. Our Mohamedan colleagues would make no compromise. We, on the other hand, with the traditional tolerance of our race, exhibited a spirit of compromise even in regard to so vital a matter, provided the goal, which was the ultimate disappearance of com- munal representation, was brought nearer. Nawab Newab Ali Chowdhury and myself were not long before arrayed in hostile camps. I was one of the leaders of the anti-Partition agitation; he was warm in his support of the Partition. For years we fought against one another; but we carried no traces of our struggle into