JINNAH, MUSLIM RIGHTS, AND THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

An analysis on the journey towards Pakistan by Syed Atiq ul Hassan

The journey towards the creation of Pakistan was marked by significant historical events, political struggles, and ideological movements led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. His efforts in securing the

rights of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of millions. From his initial association with the Indian National Congress to his leadership in the All-India Muslim League, Jinnah’s advocacy for Muslim rights culminated in the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. The growing political and ideological differences between Hindus and Muslims ultimately led Jinnah to view the creation of Pakistan as the only viable solution for the future of Muslims in the subcontinent.

Jinnah’s Early Political Career

• Jinnah was initially a member of the Indian National Congress before joining the All-India Muslim League.
• The All-India Muslim League was founded in 1906 to represent Muslim interests.
• Jinnah joined the Muslim League in 1913, marking his commitment to advocating for Muslim rights.
• Initially, Jinnah believed in Hindu-Muslim unity and worked towards cooperation between both communities.
• However, increasing marginalization of Muslims in the political sphere forced him to reconsider his stance.

The Nehru Report and Jinnah’s Response

• The Nehru Report (28-30 August 1928) failed to accommodate Muslim rights and demands.
• It proposed a system that largely ignored the distinct identity and political aspirations of Muslims.
• In response, Jinnah presented his Fourteen-Point Agenda on 28 March 1929 to the Indian National Congress, outlining essential political and religious rights for Muslims.
• These points were a direct counter to the Nehru Report and a clear assertion of Muslim identity.

Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)

1. Federal System: A future constitution should be federal with residuary powers vested in the provinces.
2. Provincial Autonomy: Equal autonomy should be granted to all provinces.
3. Representation of Minorities: Adequate and effective representation of minorities should be ensured.
4. Muslim Representation: Muslims should have at least one-third representation in central legislative bodies.
5. Separate Electorates: Communal groups should continue to have separate electorates unless they voluntarily opt for joint electorates.
6. Muslim Majority Provinces: Territorial redistribution should not affect Muslim majorities in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP.
7. Religious Liberty: Full freedom of belief, worship, and association should be guaranteed.
8. Three-Fourth Representation: No bill should pass if three-fourths of any community opposes it.
9. Separation of Sind: Sind should be separated from Bombay Presidency.
10. Reforms in NWFP and Baluchistan: These provinces should have the same reforms as others.
11. Government Services: Muslims should receive a fair share in state services.
12. Protection of Muslim Culture and Language: Safeguards should be in place for Muslim culture, language, and religion.
13. One-Third Muslim Ministers: Cabinets should include at least one-third Muslim ministers.
14. Constitutional Amendments: No constitutional changes should occur without the approval of the Indian Federation.

Impact of Jinnah’s Fourteen Points

• The rejection of Jinnah’s demands by Hindu leaders widened the political divide between Muslims and Hindus.
• Jinnah’s points solidified Muslim identity and reinforced their demand for a separate state.
• The Fourteen Points were presented at the Round Table Conference of 1930 and influenced Muslim political thought for two decades.
• These demands eventually led to the Pakistan Movement, culminating in the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.
• The rejection of the Fourteen Points confirmed Jinnah’s belief that Muslims needed a separate homeland to secure their rights and avoid subjugation under Hindu-dominated rule.

The Ideological Basis for the Creation of Pakistan

• The Two-Nation Theory became the cornerstone of Muslim political struggle, asserting that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations with their own religious, cultural, and political identities.
• Jinnah, initially an advocate for unity, became a firm believer in this ideology due to continuous political and economic discrimination against Muslims.
• The failure of Congress to accommodate Muslim demands reinforced the idea that Muslims could not coexist in a single nation dominated by Hindus.
• The Lahore Resolution of 1940 formally called for an independent Muslim state, strengthening the demand for Pakistan.

Moulana Abul Kalam Azad’s Role

• Moulana Azad joined the Indian National Congress in 1920 and served as its president (1939-1946).
• He was introduced to Congress by Hindu revolutionaries Sri Aurobindo Ghosh and Shyam Sundar Chakraborty.
• After independence in 1947, Azad became India’s first Education Minister.
• Azad opposed the partition of India and believed in Hindu-Muslim unity, which put him at odds with Jinnah.
• Despite his opposition, the growing divide between the two communities proved that Jinnah’s vision for a separate Muslim state was the only viable solution.

The Final Struggle and the Creation of Pakistan

• The failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) further proved that a united India was impossible.
• The Direct Action Day (1946) led to widespread communal violence, reinforcing the urgent need for partition.
• Jinnah’s insistence on the creation of Pakistan ultimately led to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, resulting in the division of British India.
• On 14th August 1947, Pakistan emerged as an independent state, fulfilling Jinnah’s dream and securing Muslim political sovereignty.

Conclusion

Jinnah’s relentless efforts and his Fourteen Points became the foundation for Muslim political struggle in the Indian subcontinent. The rejection of these demands by the Congress leadership fuelled the demand for a separate Muslim state. Over the next two decades, these principles guided the Muslim League and strengthened the movement that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The ideological foundation of Pakistan was based on the Two-Nation Theory, which highlighted the irreconcilable differences between Hindus and Muslims. Jinnah’s vision ensured that Muslims of the subcontinent could establish their identity, governance, and cultural independence, shaping the history of South Asia forever. His transformation from an advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity to the architect of Pakistan underscores the inevitability of partition as the only means to safeguard Muslim rights and autonomy.

(The writer, Syed Atiq ul Hassa, is a Sydney-based journalist, analyst, writer, author and Editor Tribune International, Australia. He holds the life achievement award 2024 by NSW Government. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).

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