Viewing separate electorates as the primary obstacle to better Hindu-Muslim relations, Quaid-e-Azam suggested that the Muslims would renounce this demand if the Hindus agreed to offer certain protections. Consequently, the proposals were formally approved at a conference held by the All India Muslim League on March 20, 1927, in Delhi. Therefore, they are now called “The Delhi Proposals or Delhi Muslim Proposals”.

Salient Features of the Delhi Proposals Or Delhi Muslim Proposals

1. A separate province of Sindh should be formed.
2. Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) should be reformed on an equal basis with other provinces.
3. The Central Legislature in India would have at least one-third Muslim representation. It was one of the most important demands of the Delhi Muslim Proposals.
4. In addition to provisions like religious freedom, there was to be a further guarantee in the constitution that on communal matters no bill or resolution would be considered or passed if three-fourths of the community members involved disagreed with it.
5. The implementation of the suggestions mentioned above would be necessary to ensure that Muslims never abandon their right to representation through separate electorates.

Conclusion

Quaid-e-Azam felt that the only thing that was harming the Hindu-Muslim unity in India was the separate electorate of Muslims. Therefore, he proposed the Delhi Muslim Proposals or Delhi Proposals in 1927.

In it, he asked the Indian National Congress to accept the proposals of the Muslims so that they could surrender their right to separate electorates for joint electorates. Hence, The Delhi Muslim Proposals show that Muhammad Ali Jinnah was in favor of Hindu-Muslim unity in India.

However, Indian National Congress rejected these proposals. In the Nehru Reports of 1928 the Hindus under the leadership of Motilal Nehru, rejected the separate electorates for Muslims. Moreover, he also gave the Muslims 1/4th representation. Hence, INC rejected the Delhi Muslim Proposals of and backstabbed the Muslims.