Pakistan Resolution and the Massacre of the Khaksars

By Nasim Yousaf

By the late 1930s, the Khaksar Tehrik had become the most organized movement in the history of India. The
Khaksars tremendous popularity became a threat to the Government of India an d other opponents. As such the
Government decided to eliminate the Khaksar Movement. The Punjab Premier, Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, supported
the Central Government and started imposing restrictions on Khaksar activities.
In the early months of 1940, Allama
Mashriqi went to Delhi in order to ask the
Viceroy of India to remove the
restrictions on the Khaksar activities.
During his stay in Delhi, Mashriqi also
held
meetings
with Quaid-e-Azam
(Muhammad Ali Jinnah) and other
Muslim leaders. Allama Mashriqi as ked
Quaid-e-Azam and the other Muslim
leaders to use their influence on the
Punjab Premier to remove the restrictions.
However, the restrictions remained in
place.
Khaksars came out on the streets and
protested
against the restrictions.
Although the 313 Khaksars were
marching
peacefully,
the
police
intercepted them and asked them to halt
their parade. However, the Khaksars kept on marching, ignoring the police who were standing in their way. A senior
police officer could not tolerate the defiance of his order and slapped the Salar of the Khaksars. The situation
quickly deteriorated. The police, mounted on horses, tried to run over and through the Khaksars. The determined
Khaksars remained steadfast and the police resorted to lathi charge and then open -fired ruthlessly on the Khaksars.
Many of the Khaksars were brutally killed (Shaheed) or injured. The indiscriminate firing was no less than the
notorious massacre at Amritsar by General Dyer on April 13, 1919. The massacre of the Khaksars on March 19 was
not only a tragedy for Lahore, but for the entire nation. An official report stated that 32 people died on that fateful
day (Source: The Tribune, April 16, 1940). However, K.L. Gauba (Member Legislative Assembly) wrote in his
book Friends and Foes that According to eye witnesses the dead were more than 200 (Source: Friends and Foes by
K.L. Gauba, page 204, Publisher: Indian Book Company [New Delhi, India]).
In order to control the situation in Lahore, the military was convened. After the bloody clash, the c ity of Lahore was
essentially under emergency laws; the news media was censored and processions, public speeches, and gatherings
were banned. The Khaksars who were killed were not to be addressed as martyrs or heroes in the public media. Any
news about the Khaksar incident had to be approved by the Government before it was published. Only the
Governments version of the story was to appear in the news media. Allama Mashriqi was arrested along with
thousands of prominent Khaksars. His phone was disconnected and the Khaksar Movement was banned. Mashriqis
bank account was seized and his property was confiscated. The Khaksar Tehriks headquarters (in Lahore) were
raided. During the raid, many Khaksars were arrested, literature and other materials were confiscat ed, and
Mashriqis son, Ehsan Ullah Khan Aslam, was hurt by the police when they hit him with a tear gas grenade. Ehsan
Ullah Khan Aslam later died because of the head injury he received from the grenade. At the time of Ehsan Ullah
Khan Aslams death, Mashriqi was in jail and was not allowed to attend his funeral (Mashriqi wrote a poem in
memory of his son in his book, Hareem-e-Ghaib).

Quaid-e-Azams Statement after the Massacre on March 19, 1940:

Upon hearing of the news of the killing of the innocent Khaksars, Quaid-e-Azam issued the following statement (on
March 20, 1940):
"I am deeply grieved to hear the tragic account of the incident in Lahore last evening regarding the clash between
the Police and the Khaksars resulting in terrible loss of life and injury on both the sides. I hope the Khaksars will
carry out the instructions issued by their leader, Mr. Inayatullah Mashriqi, published in the newspapers of this
morning. As one who has always been so kindly treated by the Khaksars, I appeal to them most earnestly to keep
peace and not precipitate matters by defying law and order. It is difficult to say anything till I am in possession of
full facts of the situation." Source: The Tribune, Lahore March 21, 1940

The Pakistan Resolution (Lahore Resolution) and the Khaksar resolution:

It is important to note that after the massacre of the Khaksars, the All India Muslim League did not postpone its 27th
Annual Session at Minto Park, Lahore. The historic Session started on March 22, 1940 and ended on March 24,
1940.
On March 24,1940, the Pakistan Resolution was passed by the Muslim League. On the same day and at the same
Session, Quaid-e-Azam presented a resolution on the Khaksar massacre. This Khaksar resolution, which was
unanimously passed with loud cheers, reads as follows:
"This Session of the All India Muslim League places on record its deep sense of sorrow at the unfortunate and tragic
occurrence on the 19th of March, 1940, owing to a clash between the Khaksars and the police, resulting in the los s
of a large number of lives and injuries to many more, and sincerely sympathizes with those who suffered and with
their families and dependents.
This Session calls upon the Government forthwith to appoint an independent and impartial committee of inquir y, the
personnel of which would command the perfect confidence of the people, with instructions to them to make full and
complete investigation and inquiry in the whole affair, and make their report as soon as possible.
This Session authorizes the Working Committee to take such actions in the matter as they may consider proper
immediately after publication of the report of the Committee. This Session urges upon the various Governments that
the order declaring the Khaksar Organization unlawful should be removed as soon as possible."

Important Note on the Date of the Pakistan Resolution (Lahore Resolution):

It is important to note that the Pakistan Resolution was not passed on March 23, 1940, as is the common
misconception. In fact, it was actually passed on March 24, 1940.

Tragedy Unites the Muslims:

Unfortunately the historic Khaksar resolution is mostly unknown to the public because it does not appear in the
supplements published by the media each year on March 23. The history of Pakistan is incomp lete without
discussing the tragedy of March 19, 1940 and the Muslim League's Khaksar resolution, which was passed on the
same day as the Pakistan Resolution (Lahore Resolution). History is witness to the fact that behind every freedom
movement lies the blood and sacred lives of martyrs. The massacre of the Khaksars became a turning point in the
struggle for the independence of Pakistan. Indeed, the foundation of independence was actually laid with the killing
of the innocent Khaksars on March 19, 1940. The significance of the Session of the Muslim League in Lahore,
which took place only three days after the massacre, was greatly enhanced as a result of the killings of the Khaksars.
No Muslim could ignore the incident at that time and the tremendous sympathy and support for the Khaksars was
seen at the Session. The crowd at the Session chanted slogans in favor of the Khaksars and denounced the Premier

of the Punjab. Various newspapers, including The Hindustan Times (which was in fact an anti-Khaksar newspaper),
wrote that during the Session, slogans of "Khaksars Zindabad" were raised and the meeting was "frequently
punctuated with Khaksar slogans." Source: The Hindustan Times, March 25,1940
Thus, the massacre of the Khaksars helped unite the Muslims under th e Muslim League while Allama Mashriqi and
thousands of the Khaksars were in jail and the Khaksar Tehrik was banned. Within seven years of the massacre of
the Khaksars, the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent had an independent homeland. The British divided the subcontinent into Pakistan and India and so, two separate homelands, one for the Muslims and the other for the Hindus,
came into existence.

The Unforgettable Contributions of Mashriqi and the Khaksars to the Creation of Pakistan:
After the massacre, Allama Mashriqi, who had began the movement to remove the nation from the shackles of
foreign rule, was kept in jail for almost two years without a trial. Thousands of Khaksars were sentenced to
anywhere from six months to life imprisonment. While Mash riqi was in jail, he was told that if he didnt disband the
Khaksar Tehrik, he wouldnt be released. But Allama replied that the Movement was not his personal property and
refused to succumb to any pressure. Requests made by other political leaders and pub lic outcries for his release were
ignored by the government. Mashriqi wrote a letter from jail to Dr. Rafiq Ahmed Khan of Aligarh Muslim
University. In his letter he stated, "My last days are nearing. It will be alright if I receive a reply and I am releas ed.
Otherwise I am going to dieI am not going to change my decision nor do I repent for it. I am happy because I am
going to lay down my life..." At the conclusion of his letter, Mashriqi stated, "Again gird up your loins. Do not let
my face be blackened. Save the honour of Islam"
Ultimately, Mashriqi had to fast to the point of death in order to obtain his release. The Government of India at the
time kept Mashriqis fasting a secret. However, the news was leaked out and Mashriqis release became inevit able.
Finally, on February 18, 1942, he was released, but his movements were still kept restricted to Madras. When
Mashriqi emerged from jail, he was a skeleton and would have surely died if his release had been delayed any
further.
After his release from jail, Mashriqi resumed his activities for the freedom of India, despite the fact that his
movements were restricted to Madras. The restriction on his movements and the ban on the Khaksar Tehrik was
ultimately removed in December, 1942 and Mashriqi finally arrived in Lahore as a free man in January, 1943. He
was given a rousing welcome upon his arrival. He continued his services for freedom and remained dedicated to the
cause of uplifting the nation until his death. Everything he said and did was what he t hought was right for the nation.
The Khaksar Tehrik and Allama Mashriqis services to the cause of freedom are unforgettable. Their sacrifices,
struggle, and efforts for independence served an integral part in the appearance of Pakistan on the world map o n
August 14, 1947. It is unfortunate that the Muslim League that came to power after independence completely denied
the Khaksars contribution and their struggle towards freedom and took full credit for the creation of Pakistan. The
nation must not be kept ignorant of the atrocities that Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars faced during their struggle
and their efforts in mobilizing the nation to rise for freedom. A great injustice to the Khaksars has been done in the
history books of Pakistan. It is the duty of the Government of Pakistan to let the nation know about the suffering and
contributions of Mashriqi and the Khaksars. Mashriqi was the only prominent Muslim political leader to suffer so
greatly at the hands of the rulers. All Mashriqi ever wanted was to rebuild the nation and lead the people to freedom.

The Public Media:

Pakistans media, particularly radio and television, has never made a serious effort to convey to the public the
contributions of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik towards the creation of Pakistan. The media has even
covered those that looted the country and emptied its exchequer, yet they have failed to let the nation know of the
services of noble patriots and heroes such as Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars. Radio and Television have not
conducted any significant programs on the life and times of Mashriqi and his Movement.

Historians and Research Institutes:

It is sad and disheartening that historians are not adequately covering the role that Mashriqi and the Khaksars
played. Non-Khaksar historians have done a great injustice to the nation by not highlighting the positive role played
by Mashriqi and the Khaksars in Pakistans history. While some historians have ignored the crux of the Khaksar
Tehrik, many others have even distorted their role and have only given credit to the Muslim League in the creation
of Pakistan. Thus, they have wiped out the role of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars in Pakistans freedom
movement.
Government-owned historical research institutes have not collected enough material (from various sources within
and outside the country) on the Khaksar Tehrik. It is the duty of such institutions to collect these materials and make
them accessible to the public. Furthermore, no research academy or institute has b een formed to conduct
independent research on Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik. It is suggested to those who are in control in the
Government of Pakistan that they make public Mashriqis services to the nation. This is not only their moral
obligation, but also their national duty. The following steps need to be taken forthwith:
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A research academy should be formed to conduct complete research on Mashriqi and his Khaksar
Movement.
Mashriqis books and speeches need to be translated into English and other la nguages.
A library exclusively for Khaksar literature should be formed.
All Khaksar materials should be collected from the public, government departments, the India Office
(U.K.), and historical resources in India.
Mashriqi and the Khaksars role should be made a part of the educational curriculum at all levels.
An official and unbiased biography on Mashriqi should be published depicting his purpose of establishing
the Khaksar Tehrik (Movement)
Ichhra, where Mashriqi started his movement in 1930, should be renamed after him and a monument
should be built at his grave.
University should be named after Allama Mashriqi.
A monument should be erected in Lahore at the site of the massacre of March 19, 1940.
March 19 should be declared Martyrs Day and special seminars should be held in major cities in
remembrance of those Khaksars that laid their lives on that day.
Roads should be named after Mashriqi and the Khaksars that were killed.
Official seminars on the Life and Times of Allama Mashriqi should be held on annual basis.
National media should be directed to broadcast/publish special programs on Mashriqi.
A film and television program should be made on Allama Mashriqi and The Khaksar Movement.
A national holiday should be observed on Mashriqis birth or death anniversary.

It is very unfortunate that there are those with vested interests who want the nation to forget the contributions of
Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars. We must remember that a nation that forgets its history is one that loses its
foundation and direction.
The author, Nasim Yousaf, of this article has given a full account of the March 19, 1940 massacre in his recently
published book in the USA. The book is titled, Allama Mashriqi & Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan: Two Legends of
Pakistan.
The below mentioned web site on the Internet has been dedicated to Allama Mashriqi:
An endeavor is being made to convert this web site into an extremely useful resource for all Pakistanis, journalists,
historians, students, professors, and researchers interested in the role of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar
Movement towards the independence of Pakistan. To aid us in this effort, we are seeking feedback and suggestions
on ways to improve the site. This is a web site for anyone interested in Indo -Pakistan history, so please do not
hesitate to send us your comments. Your thoughts and input on the subject are greatly appreciated.
http://allama-mashri qi.8 m.com
E-mail: infomashriqi@yahoo.com
May God bless Pakistan and its people.
Nasim Yousaf 2004