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any consideration by other communities, nor can it effectively safeguard its interests in other spheres of activity.
It is therefore, necessary that the more thoughtful among the Jains should meet in a body to decide the future political programme of the Jain Community to suit its particular needs, so that it may have its proper place in the body politic of the country. The aims and objects given above are but a rough sketch and open to amendment in accordance with the considered views of the Leaders of the three sects of the Jain Community.
Political rights of the Jain Community as a minority.
The question arises as to the special rights of the Jain Community in pursuance of the above objects. Such a weighty question can be answered on its merits by some sober and enlightened representative body of the Jains sitting together to find out its solution, but a little close consideration will show that the following demands may not be exorbitant.
No. 1 is intended to unite the Jains with the rest of the country in the attainment of a common goal, without which all their efforts in safeguarding their Communal rights would avail nothing.
For No. (2) two seats for the Jain Community in all legislative, district, municipal, educational and other public bodies to be filled up by nomination in case their nuinber in general elections fall short.
Past experience shows that the Jains had no member in the Council of State, nor in the Provincial Councils of Bengal. Burmah, Assam, probably in Bihar and Orissa also, and except on one occasion even in Punjab. Had there not been a special representation for them in Madras, most probable they would get no representation there also. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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