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1909] -
Jain Representation.
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Minorities” a fair chance of representation on the enlarged Councils and Your Excellency's Memorialists feel certain that the Jain community which holds a front rank among the diverse races and creeds in India in commercial and industrial activities, which has of late been making rapid strides in education, and which, while it has done not a little for the promotion of Indian enterprises and industries, has been characterised throughout by a staunch loyalty and adherence to the British Sovereignty in this land, has a claim to be recognised as an “Important Minority".
6. The total Jain population in British India is only about 13 : lacs; - but the social and commercial status of the community has been so very important that, as pointed out on one occasion by Your Excellency's predecessor Lord Curzon, almost half the wealth of India passes through the hands of the Jains.
7. Already during the regime of Your Excellency's predecessor in office, the importance for the trade and commerce for this country was unmistakably recognised by making room for a special department for commerce in the divisions for carrying on the executive administration of the country. The overwhelmingly large share which has been just pointed out is being taken in rhe commercial and industrial activities of the country by the community to which Your Excellency's Memorialists belong, entitles it, as your Excellency's Memoria. . lists submit; to have its own representative as well on the Supreme Legislative Council as on the Provincial Councils..
8. Your Excellency's Memorialists have been much pleased to learn in answer to a Memorial addressed to His Excellency the Governor of Bombay in Council that the Provincial Government have determined to pay due regard to the importance of the Jains as a communityin exercising the power of nomination for certain seats on the Council, which has been granted to His Excellency the Governor in Council
