Jinnah's Amendments and Fourteen Points: Amendments Proposed by Jinnah
In December 1928, Jinnah proposed amendments to the Nehru Report, including one-third Muslim representation in the central legislature and provincial powers. These were not adopted. In March 1929, Jinnah's Fourteen Points outlined demands for a federal constitution, provincial autonomy, and adequate Muslim representation, shaping the Muslim League's stance and future negotiations. These points aimed to address Muslim concerns about political and cultural rights within the framework of Indian self-governance.
- Context: At the All Parties Conference in Calcutta, December 1928, Jinnah proposed three key amendments to the Nehru Report on behalf of the Muslim League.
- Proposed Amendments:
- One-third representation for Muslims in the central legislature.
- Reservation of seats for Muslims in Bengal and Punjab legislatures proportionate to their population until adult suffrage was established.
- Residual powers to be given to provinces.
- Outcome: These demands were not accommodated in the final report.
Jinnah’s Fourteen Points
- Overview: In March 1929, Jinnah presented fourteen points that would become the foundation of the Muslim League's future propaganda.
- The Fourteen Points:
- Federal Constitution with residual powers to provinces.
- Provincial autonomy.
- No constitutional amendment by the centre without the concurrence of the states in the Indian federation.
- All legislatures and elected bodies to have adequate Muslim representation in every province, ensuring no reduction of Muslim majorities or equality.
- Adequate representation of Muslims in services and self-governing bodies.
- One-third Muslim representation in the central legislature.
- One-third of any central or provincial cabinet to be Muslims.
- Separate electorates.
- No bill or resolution in any legislature to be passed if three-fourths of a minority community considers it against their interests.
- Any territorial redistribution must not affect the Muslim majority in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP.
- Separation of Sindh from Bombay.
- Constitutional reforms in NWFP and Baluchistan.
- Full religious freedom to all communities.
- Protection of Muslim rights in religion, culture, education, and language.
