If you consider what is the kind of self-government which is exactly
necessary for us, what is the first point which suggests itself to
you! I will tell you what suggests itself to me. The first thing is
provincial autonomy. I desire to explain that expression clearly as
far as I understand it, because that expression has been used by many
Government officials and by great thinkers in Europe. But I desire
you to approach this question not at all from the European point of
view, so far as conception is concerned, but from our own national
standpoint. What is the exact meaning of provincial autonomy? I say
that the meaning of that expression is that people who have for
hundreds and hundreds of years been living in Bengal have come under
the sway of a particular culture, have been animated by a particular
genius and the provincial government which will be established in
Bengal must give the fullest expression to that ideal. I mean that the
Hindus have, for several centuries been living in Bengal and amongst
them there have grown up a very great culture which has made itself
felt in the domain of science, philosophy, religion, literature and
art. It has got a cast of its own; it has got a spirit of its own; it
has got a distinct individuality.
When I am speaking of the Hindus of Bengal, I am at once reminded
of the Mahomedans of Bengal. They have also lived in Bengal; they
have lived with us, by our side and have been surrounded by the same
environments and whatever our religious differences may be, there can
hardly be any question that their interests and our interests, in point
of education, in point of culture, and in point of nationality are the
same. When I am speaking of provincial autonomy, I am not forgetting
any community or the members of any particular religion. I want to
include the whole of them and I say, taking the whole of them, there is
a distinct individuality of Bengal. It is on that individual nature
that we must take our stand.
Now, gentlemen, provincial government must be so formed that it will
not lose the particular interest which that individuality requires.
The people of Bengal must realise that the whole of their political
enfranchisement must be based upon their ancient ideals and traditions,
enlarged no doubt, developed no doubt, modernised no doubt, but still
based on those ancient ideals.