Pakistan Affairs & Islamiyat (in the light of Islam)

Pakistan Affairs & Islamiyat (in the light of Islam) Lecture# 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Nehru Report-19282. Jinnah 14 Points-19293. Allahabad Address-19304. Government Act of India-19355. Lahore Resolution-1940

Nehru Report (1928) • Background • Critical remarks of Lord Birkenhead, secretary of state for India, for the Indians- not being able to produce a unanimous report acceptable to all communities • In reply All parties conference was convened-ML joined but later pulled out due to practical dominance of Hindu • Introduction • A devise of Motilal Nehru • A blue print of Hindu polarization against Muslim/ their political rights • A death blow to the concord of Lucknow • Congress constitution, demanding dominion status for India, came in August 1928

Nehru Report (1928) • Salient Features • Dominion status for India-Parliamentary form of government • Rejected federation on communal basis-in fact suggested unitary state • Provincial autonomy with powers at center • NWFP and Baluchistan to be given provincial status and Sindh separated from Bombay • Separate electorate removed in favor of joint electorate • Communal veto scrapped (to protect the minority rights) • Universal adults suffrage proposed • Only 1/4th seats for Muslims in Central legislature • Analysis: • The report regarded Muslim problem as purely religious and cultural matter- to be cured by full religious liberty and cultural autonomy-Declaration of rights • Muslim knew where they stand in congress scheme- In 1916 when they needed ML support they accepted Separate Electorate here they scrapped it.

Nehru Report (1928) • Muslim League Response: • Muslims were shocked-members of Central and Provincial councils found it impossible to agree • The immediate result- the two groups of ML created came to closer to oppose it • All Muslim members including Jinnah rejected it

Jinnah’s 14 Point-1929 • Introduction: • AIML did not accept the Nehru Report and rejected it vigorously • Muslim League united by justification given by Jinnah on rational basis • AIML decided to give response on the Nehru Report • Jinnah’s 14 Points: • Bi-national state with loose federation of 5 Muslim and 6 Hindu majority provinces • 1/3rd Muslim representation at center • Separation of Sindh from Bombay • Reforms in NWFP and Baluchistan on the same footing as in other provinces • Necessary territorial adjustments should not convert Muslim majorities into minorities in Punjab, Bengal and NWFP • Complete provincial autonomy • Change in the constitution-only with the consent of the constituents/citizens states • Residuary powers to provinces • Separate Electorate • Communal Veto • Adult Suffrage • Weightage-without changing majority into minority especially in Bengal & Punjab • Full power to minorities for preaching their religious • The constitution should embody adequate safeguards for the protection of Muslim culture and for the protection and promotion of Muslim education, language, religion, personal laws and Muslim charitable institution

Jinnah’s 14 Point-1929 • Parting of ways between Congress & ML: • Jinnah’s 14 points were repetition of what congress had accepted in Lucknow Pact • Rejection of these Muslim demands in the report created/widened gulf between Hindus and Muslims (congress and ML) • This was turning point in the history of India-the two communities never united afterwards • Conclusion: • This political development convinced the Muslims that they could not trust congress • Henceforth, co-existentialism replaced with separatism –Struggle for freedom

AllamaIqbal’s Address at Allahabad-1930 • Introduction • A landmark in the history of Muslim India • He was labelled as visionary and an idealist but time proved that his solution was genuine, possible and practical- to the complex social, political and religious problems of India Political problems of India • Complex social, cultural, political and linguistic issues remained in the thought process of politicians, thinkers, statesmen since centuries • Iqbal was a poet philosopher and political thinker, who gave a philosophical ground for the formation of separate homeland

AllamaIqbal’s Address at Allahabad-1930 • The Presidential Address • India was not a country but a continent where many nations live each with separate identity, religion, and culture • Redistribution of India-Muslim India within India: propounded two nation theory logically • Modern nationalism/unitary form of government simply unthinkable for Muslims • Residuary powers be given to self governing units • Punjab, NWFP, Sindh, and Baluchistan amalgamation-final destiny at least of North West India • Critical Analysis: • Presented his idea logically and defended it effectively • But he did not argue for a Muslim State but for a Muslim block within Indian federation of a very loose center equivalent to a confederation • Bengal and Assam did not appear into his calculations- Later on brought into the scheme by Muslims • Some critics argue that Iqbal never argued for an independent state and , therefore, should not be accorded the percentage of Pakistan. • The criticism can be repudiated by Iqbal’s letters to Jinnah. He wrote it is necessary to redistribute the country and provide one or more Muslim states with absolute majorities. Don’t you think the time for such a demand has already arrived?

AllamaIqbal’s Address at Allahabad-1930 • Significance: • Provided new opportunities to think in terms of a separate homeland for Muslims • Jinnah gave most serious consideration to Iqbal’s scheme of partition • Lord Lothian, the then Secretary of State for India appreciated and found it as the only formula to save India from continual tension and strife • Conclusion: • Iqbal was the one who gave possible solution to the troubles of India • Lahore Resolution finally demanded a separate homeland which was initially thought by Iqbal • Iqbal was indeed an architect and an ideology of Pakistan-Jinnah gave reality to his dreams • The ideology of Pakistan took shape through an evolutionary process. Historical experience provided the base; with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan began the period of Muslim self-awakening; AllamaIqbal provided the philosophical explanation; Quaid-i-Azam translated it into a political reality.

Government Act of India Act 1935 • Background • After the failure of Third Round Table Conference (1930-33), the British government gave the Joint Select Committee the task of formulating the new Act for India. • Introduction • The Bill was discussed in the House of Commons for 43 days and in the House of Lords for 13 days and finally, after being signed by the King, was enforced as the Government of India Act, 1935, in July 1935. • Salient Features • The Governor General remained the head of the central administration and enjoyed wide powers concerning administration, legislation and finance. • No finance bill could be placed in the Central Legislature without the consent of the Governor General. • The Federal Legislature was to consist of two houses, the Council of State (Upper House) and the Federal Assembly (Lower House). • The Council of State was to consist of 260 members, out of whom 156 were to be elected from the British India and 104 to be nominated by the rulers of princely states.

Government Act of India Act 1935 • The Central Legislature had the right to pass any bill, but the bill required the approval of the Governor General before it became Law. On the other hand Governor General had the power to frame ordinances. • The Indian Council was abolished. In its place, few advisers were nominated to help the Secretary of State for India. • The Secretary of State was not expected to interfere in matters that the Governor dealt with, with the help of Indian Ministers. • The provinces were given autonomy with respect to subjects delegated to them. • Two new provinces Sindh and Orissa were created. • Reforms were introduced in N. W. F. P. as were in the other provinces. • Separate electorates were continued as before.

Government Act of India Act 1935 • One-third Muslim representation in the Central Legislature was guaranteed. • The Federal Court was established in the Center. • The Reserve Bank of India was established. • Conclusion • Both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League opposed the Act but at the time of independence, the two dominions of India and Pakistan accepted the Act of 1935, with few amendments, as their provisional constitution.

Lahore Resolution-1940 • Introduction: • Beginning of a decisive phase when Muslims vowed to part ways with Congress (which advocated modern nationalism and secularism) intending to keep them under perpetual bondage. • The demand of a separate homeland was fulfillment of their aspirations to preserve their religion, history, cultural heritage and value system. • Significant Turn • Towards the end of 1930s ML underwent a radical policy change towards constitutional issues regarding provinces and center in the light of the experience of congress Rule, particularly in Hindu majority provinces • Jinnah was authorized by ML in its session at Patna (Dec 1938) to explore suitable alternative to completely safeguard the interests of Muslims and other minorities in India • So far Muslim separatism had been floating but without a concrete shape. Iqbal had floated an idea and continued discourse with Jinnah. Rahmat Ali was consistent but less equipped. ML formally made it a demand on 23rd March, 1940 and then effectively pursued it.

Lahore Resolution-1940 • Jinnah’s Presidential Address: • Clearly explained the basic concept of the resolution • The Muslims of India stood for the freedom of India-but freedom should be for all not only a section of people • The Muslims are taken for granted mistakenly as a minority-they are not, they are a nation by any definition • The problem of India is not of inter-communal character but of inter-national nature-it must be traced • Hindus and Muslims are two different civilizations, mainly based on conflicting concepts, ideas and value system. To yoke them together under a single state must lead to a growing discontent and final destruction.

Lahore Resolution-1940 • Critical Analysis: • Critics found it no solution to “minority” problem: • There arose an objection within Muslims circles and without that creation of a Muslim state would not solve minority problem as substantial minority would still be living in India under Hindu domination • The resolution proposed effective and mandatory safeguards in the constitution for protection of religious, cultural, political, economic, administrative rights of minorities in consultation with them (Hindu/Sikh in the Muslim state and Muslim minorities in rest of the India) • Protection of Muslims of India on the basis of mutual retaliation-Muslim state to respect and protect their minorities for seeking similar treatment from Indian state.

Lahore Resolution-1940 • Conclusion • The resolution was a clarion call and morning star in the 200 years darkness/ slavery of Muslim of India • The individual/ groups who were roaming aimlessly in the desert of despondency/ hopelessness took form of a caravan and started marching its destination under the leadership of capable, brave, and upright leader-Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Thank You Have a Nice Weekend Ahead!

Pakistan Affairs & Islamiyat (in the light of Islam)