HC Deb 12 March 1942 vol 378 cc1186-7
19. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the declaration of the All-India Momin Conference, at Delhi, its President, Zahiruddin and its Vice-President, Abdul Quaiyum Ansari, claiming to represent 45,000,000 Moslems, supporting the demand for immediate recognition of India's freedom and repudiating any claim by Mr. Jinnah and the Moslem League to possess the sole right to speak on behalf of Indian Mussulmans; whether he is aware that Sazlul Hug, Premier of Bengal and Allah Bakhfh, Premier of Sind, have made similar declarations; and whether he has any statement to make in view of this expression of Moslem conviction?

20. Mr. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for India what recent messages he has received from India, including the representatives of large and influential Moslem communities, repudiating Mr. Jinnah and the Moslem League and expressing themselves as being in favour of a free, independent and united India?

The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)

I have received a telegram from the President of the All-India Momin Conference in the sense stated. The Conference claims to speak on behalf of the four to five millions, not 45,000,000, of the Momins, a Moslem community consisting chiefly of weavers and agricultural labourers. I am advised that the Conference has little influence and that many Momins belong to the Moslem League. I have also seen a report of resolutions passed at the end of February by the Board of the All-India Azad Moslem Conference, under the presidency of Khan Bahadur Allah Bakhsh. Mr. Faslul Haq is reported to have been present. This Conference, which has not previously met since 1940, is mostly supported by Moslems associated with Congress. I am aware that Mr. Jinnah's leadership is not accepted by all Moslems, but I have no reason to doubt that the Moslem League remains the principal organisation voicing Moslem political opinion.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the Secretary of State inquire into the discrepancy in the number of Momins, as I have received a telegram asserting that 45,000,000 is the correct figure? Does he not recognise that a large body of Moslems are by no means identified with Mr. Jinnah's policy?

Mr. Amery

I am afraid there is no discrepancy. There may have been an error in the telegram.

Mr. Gallacher

Are not Ministers and the Government looking for a gang of Orangemen over in India?