the separatist movement lead by muslim league leader mohammed ali jinnah led to a series of violent hindu-muslim riots across the country just before the independence. in sardar patel’s opinion, the open communal conflicts incited by the riots had the potential to establish a weak government at the centre post-independence which will be disastrous for consolidating a democratic nation. patel went on to work on a solution with v.p. menon, a civil servant during december 1946 and accepted his suggestion of creating a separate dominion based on religious inclination of states. he represented india in the partition council.