BIRTH-PANGS OF NEW INDIA continues...

We did not want the Commission to be divided among Hindus and Muslims on this small point.

After our sittings in Lahore were over, we were taken to Simla under police escort and lodged in the Cecil Hotel for the writing of our report. Rather curiously, the Hindu and Muslim members never met together for consultation or discussion. Mr. Justice Din Mohammad frankly told me at the outset that so far as he was concerned he would write the report conceding the demands of the Muslim League and I could do what I liked. As a result of this, all four of us wrote separate reports. As a Judge I held the view that the natural boundary between India and Pakistan was along the river Ravi and I suggested its adoption. Lord Radcliffe’s secretary asked me whether I would be willing to treat the town of Qadian as neutral territory if the town of Nankana was similarly treated. I had personally no objection to this course. It was not however acceptable to some of my colleagues. The last meeting of the Boundary Commission was held in the premises of the United Service Club, Simla. Lord Radcliffe presided. He said “Gentlemen, you have disagreed and therefore the duty falls on me to give the award which I will do later on.” Eventually after the 15th of August, he gave his award on the basis of which the boundary of India and Pakistan was demarcated and the province of the Punjab was partitioned between India and Pakistan as was the province of Bengal partitioned into East Bengal and West Bengal. It has sometimes been asserted that Lord Radcliffe changed his award in accordance with the wishes of Lord Mountbatten. I for one have no reason for believing that he could be so influenced. It has been asserted that all our labour went for nothing. This is not correct. His award did not concede fully the case of either party. Our reports and the supporting material gave him the background on which he based his modifications of the notional division.

to be continued....