Interaction Team
The Muslims, aware of their significant presence in the country, sought one-third representation in the central legislature. However, the Nehru Report offered them only one-fourth representation, a move that felt like a slight against their aspirations. This report did consider two of their demands, but neither was fully addressed. It proposed the separation of Sindh from Bombay, but only if Sindh could sustain itself economically. It also suggested constitutional reforms in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), but left Balochistan in the shadows.
This incomplete recognition of their needs left the Muslim community feeling alienated and discontent. They began to realize that their path to fair representation and rights might lie in a separate political journey. This sense of alienation set the stage for more organized and determined efforts to secure Muslim rights and representation.
In 1929, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, lovingly known as Quaid-i-Azam, stepped forward with a clear and powerful response to the growing rift between Hindus and Muslims. He articulated his famous Fourteen Points, which became the cornerstone of the Muslim League’s political agenda and a beacon for the Muslim struggle for independence. Jinnah’s points were comprehensive and far-reaching:
- Federal System: A government structure where provinces had clear mandates.
- Equal Provincial Autonomy: Ensuring each province had equal autonomy.
- Minority Representation: Effective representation for minorities without diminishing majorities.
- One-Third Seats: Muslims should have one-third of the seats in the central legislature.
- Separate Electorates: Muslims should retain separate electorates.
- No Territorial Adjustments: No changes in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP that would affect Muslim majorities.
- Communal Freedom: Full freedom for all religious communities.
- Legislative Approval: No bill should pass without the approval of the affected community’s majority members.
- Sindh Separation: Sindh should be separated from Bombay Presidency.
- Reforms in NWFP and Balochistan: Reforms should be implemented in these regions.
- Protection of Muslim Institutions: Adequate protection for Muslim cultural, educational, religious, and personal law institutions.
- Muslim Employment Quota: Adequate employment quotas for Muslims.
- Muslim Representation in Cabinets: Inclusion of at least one-third Muslim ministers in cabinets.
- Constitutional Amendments: No amendments to the constitution without the agreement of the states or provinces.
These points were not mere demands; they were a lifeline for a community striving to maintain its identity and rights in an increasingly polarized environment.
The year 1930 brought another significant moment. The annual session of the All India Muslim League in Allahabad was presided over by the renowned philosopher and poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. In his address, Iqbal passionately spoke about the need for an independent Muslim state in the northwestern part of India. He believed that only a separate sovereign state could solve the Hindu-Muslim problem. His visionary idea of a separate Muslim state, which he called Pakistan, resonated deeply with the Muslim youth. Inspired by his nationalistic poetry and the dream of a Muslim renaissance, they rallied behind this vision, ready to fight for a homeland where they could freely practice their religion and culture.
Between 1930 and 1932, the British government organized three Round Table Conferences in London to discuss constitutional reforms for India. These conferences saw the participation of prominent Indian leaders, including Jinnah and Iqbal. However, the rigid stance of the Hindu representatives made it impossible to reach a consensus that would protect Muslim rights. Despite the failure of these conferences, the British introduced the Government of India Act of 1935. This Act aimed to establish autonomous provincial governments with elected legislatures and proposed a federal structure for India, though the federal part was never implemented.
The provincial elections of 1937, held under this Act, were a turning point. The Congress party emerged victorious in most provinces, forming governments that often marginalized and discriminated against Muslims. This period saw the erosion of Muslim rights and increased communal tensions. In provinces like Uttar Pradesh, Central Provinces, and Bihar, Muslims faced severe discrimination. The Congress governments adopted “Vande Mataram” as the national anthem, a song from the novel “Anandamath” by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, which depicted Muslims as demons to be eradicated from India. This imposition led to widespread resentment and protests among Muslims. Hindu youth, often supported by local Congress leaders, intruded into Muslim schools and religious institutions, attempting to enforce the singing of the song and install idols. These actions frequently led to communal riots, further deepening the divide.
In October 1938, the Sindh Muslim League Conference, presided over by Quaid-i-Azam, passed a historic resolution. The conference called upon the All India Muslim League to prepare a constitutional scheme for the complete independence of Indian Muslims. This resolution rejected the federal scheme proposed in the Government of India Act of 1935, asserting that it was detrimental to Muslim interests. It was a significant milestone, formally articulating the demand for a separate Muslim state and highlighting the growing realization among Muslims that their rights and interests could not be safeguarded within a united India dominated by a Hindu majority. In September 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, the Viceroy of India declared India’s involvement in the war without consulting Indian leaders. In protest, all Congress provincial ministries resigned. This resignation was celebrated by Muslims as a “Day of Deliverance” from the oppressive Congress rule. The resignation provided Muslims with a brief respite and an opportunity to regroup and strategize for their future. This period saw increased mobilization and political activity within the Muslim community, culminating in a renewed demand for a separate Muslim state.
The Lahore Resolution, passed in March 1940 during the annual session of the All India Muslim League, was the most crucial event in the Muslim struggle for independence. This session, attended by Muslim leaders and representatives from across India, was held at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park) in Lahore. The resolution, moved by A. K. Fazlul Huq and seconded by several prominent leaders, unequivocally demanded the creation of “independent states” in the northwestern and eastern zones of India, where Muslims were in the majority. It called for territorial adjustments to form contiguous units with full autonomy.
The Lahore Resolution marked a decisive shift in the Muslim League’s stance, from seeking safeguards and representation within a united India to demanding a separate sovereign state. It provided a clear and unambiguous goal for Muslims in India, galvanizing them into a cohesive political force (continue…)
