ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (AIML)

Founded in 1906

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS

Account

for the emergence of All-India Muslim League in 1906 and assess its importance in Indian Politics between 1906 and 1913. (2004)

BACKGROUND
Congress

(dominated by Hindus) failed to gain confidence of Muslims / minorities test of Sir Syeds apprehensions - Congress announcement of Sowdeshy Movement against Partition of Bengal (1905) among the Indian society were deep rooted religion, tradition and culture, norms and values, etc. one platform was not possible
3

Acid

Fissures

FACTORS FOR FORMATION OF AIML

4

SEPARATE IDENTITY OF MUSLIMS

Conflicting

interests B/W Hindus and Muslims Congress couldnt safeguard Muslim interests Syeds apprehensions / contentions proved by the events and circumstances

Sir

Sir

Syeds opposition to joint electorates (demand for separate electorates) was the first seed to culminate in the formation of AIML Councils Act, 1892, system of electorate proved futile for Muslims no Muslim candidate could obtain any seat up to 1906

Indian

CONGRESS ATTITUDE
Safeguarded

MUSLIMS

Hindu interests no consideration for justifiable rights of Muslims / other communities Opposed Partition of Bengal (1905)

Congress

The partition by the British was on administrative grounds not a Muslim demand intense reaction of Congress / Hindus an eye opener for Muslims
Congress announced Sowdeshi Movement serious Hindu Muslim riots
6

Therefore,

a separate political organization for Muslims was found necessary & formed

CANDID ATTITUDE OF
Simla Lord

LORD MINTO

Deputation (1905) Muslim leaders

Minto was positive encouraged Muslims to concentrate their energies on separate electorates historians argue that ML was created on official instigation to break Congress dominance & weaken Indian freedom movement. However, no evidence provided to substantiate the claim.
7

Hindu

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

OF AIML
8

PHASE-I: LOYALTY / RIGHTS

Protect

political rights of Muslims in India

Foster

loyalty to the British and to remove misunderstandings with the government with other communities without prejudice to above goals supremacy of Urdu language
9

Cooperation

Secure

PHASE-II: SELF GOVT. / UNITY

System

of self government under British Government constitution passed on 23-03-1909 (Minto Morley Reforms) relations with other communities to work for similar goals Unity leading to Lucknow Pact Khilafat Movement

New

Good

Hindu-Muslim

10

PHASE-III: INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE

1939

onwards for free / independent state

Struggle

11

ACHIEVEMENTS OF AIML
12

ACHIEVEMENTS - I
A

separate political platform for Muslims

Political

leadership [Jinnah Member of Viceroys Executive Council & Indian Council Ministers Ahmedul Mulk & S. Hassan Bilgarami]
up the vacuum of Sir Syed Ahmed

Filled

Separate

electorates through Minto-Morley Reforms (1909)

13

ACHIEVEMENTS - II
Appointment

of Muslim judges in High / Supreme Courts a Muslim demand accepted [Calcutta SHARIFUDDIN; Allahabad KARAMAT HUSSAIN; Punjab - SHAH DIN] of Trust Bill [Trust a social entity works for social benefits. Many Trusts in India denied benefits to Muslims the Act extended benefits to Muslims of Pakistan
14

Approval

Creation

MINTO-MORLEY REFORMS 1909

15

INDIAN COUNCILS ACT, 1909

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS

Minto-Morely

Reform was a tool of change in the political system of India. Discuss it with special reference to the demands of Simla Deputation. (2007)

16

INTRODUCTION
Tension

between Congress and AIML after Partition of Bengal (1905)

Muslims

demanded Separate Electorate during Simla Deputation (16-10-1906) prior to creation of Muslim League
intensified efforts for the said demand and convinced British who brought reforms in the shape of Indian Councils Act 1909 by British Parliament & enforced on 2303-1909, the Act further reformed legislative 17 councils

AIML

Approved

SALIENT FEATURES-I
Muslims

demand of Separate Electorate accepted transformed nature of politics in India (national to communal) operandi for elections partly direct elections and partly indirect nominations non official majority allowed at Provincial level while official majority retained at Centre
18

Modus

Small

SALIENT FEATURES-II
Members

of Legislative Councils could:

Raise questions relating to administration and policy; and

Discuss budget item wise

Provincial

Councils expanded

W & E Bengal, UP and Madras = 50 Punjab =30)

19

SALIENT FEATURES-III
60

members added to Central Legislative Council

Viceroys Executive Council expanded

20

CONGRESS / HINDU REACTION

Hindu

politicians and Congress launched a campaign against Separate Electorates in 1910 Session demanded its

Congress

withdrawal
All

Hindu and several British observers believed communal electorates a breach of democratic principles and sowing seeds for divisions in the society / polity Muslims relations further deteriorated
21

Hindu

ROLE OF MUSLIM LEAGUE

First

achievement of AIML within two years of the establishment Govt. for the first time accepted that in India where different nationalities live Western type of democracy was inapplicable voice of Sir Syed became reality status of AIML established as the only political organization representing Muslims
22

British

The

IMPORTANCE FOR MUSLIMS - I

Muslims

main demand of Separate Electorate was accepted in the provinces where Provincial Councils existed were given double vote (they could vote separately for Muslims and also for general constituencies) and constitutional status of Muslims in India as a separate entity was accepted & established great political awareness among the Indians / Muslims

Muslims

Legal

Created

23

IMPORTANCE FOR MUSLIMS - II

Congress

hadnt accepted AIML / Muslims as separate entity now they were (after some time) willing to discuss issues to reduce Hindu Muslim tension

conference of 60 Hindus and 40 Muslims held at Allahabad on 01-01-1911 to discus such issues

Congress

realized that AIML was an important factor to be reckoned with in Indian politics

Reforms

gave impetus to the constitutional development in India first time direct elections were introduced albeit partly

24

CONCLUSION
Reforms

played significant role in the constitutional history / development in India for Muslims they were of paramount importance and shaped their political fate there been no provision of Separate Electorate least chances of Lucknow Pact (1916) consequently no concept of Pakistan Resolution and ultimately Pakistan itself!
25

But

Had

LUKNOW PACT
1916
26

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS

Describe

the main contents and relative importance of the Lucknow Pact and Delhi Muslim Proposals and their respective impact on the subsequent political developments in India. (2011) the role of Quaid-e-Azam for protecting the constitutional rights of Muslims of the subcontinent from 1916-1933? (2009) was the ambassador of HinduMuslim Unity. Discuss it in perspective of Lukhnow Pact and what future vision depicted from the pact? (2008) 27

Illustrate

Quaid-e-Azam

INTRODUCTION
An

episode of great political and constitutional magnitude of Jinnahs sagacious statesmanship holding dual membership of Congress and AIML acted as an apostle of Hindu Muslims unity

Example

bridge to narrow down the gulf between Hindus and Muslims

step towards establishment of a bi-national state and self govt. in India when Congress + AIML agreed over the political & constitutional future of India
28

EVENTS LEADING TO THE PACT

Meeting of 60 Hindus and 40 Muslims held at Allahabad on 01-01-1911

Congress annual session at Karachi (Dec. 1913) Bhopindra Nath Basu positive gestures towards Muslims and stressed for better understanding / Cooperation
1913 - Jinnah jointed ML while retaining Congress membershipAmbassador of Unity On 31-12-1915 Congress and ML held sessions at Bombay committees set up to explore ways of cooperation

Joint session of Congress and AIML in Dec. 1916 at Lucknow

Jinnah presided ML and made a strong plea for unity. Congress leader Ambica Charan Manjumdar reciprocated 29

SALIENT FEATURES

30

Settlement of Communal Issues

(Hindus vs. Muslims)

Demands from the British

(Congress + AIML vs. British Govt.)

SETTLEMENT OF COMMUNAL ISSUES-I

Congress

conceded the Muslim / ML demand of

Separate Electorate

Not only where they existed earlier (under 1909 Act) but in Punjab and CP as well

But, Muslims were to lose the double advantage of vote in general elections (in vogue since 1909)

Muslim

Representation in Central Legislative

31

Council to constitute 1/3rd of the elected members

SETTLEMENT OF COMMUNAL ISSUES-II

Communal

veto

no bill, affecting a particular community, should be processed in any council, if 75% of members of that community in the council oppose it.

32

SETTLEMENT OF COMMUNAL ISSUES-III

Weightage Principle

Muslim minority provinces:

More share was given to Muslims UP (pop. 14% - seats 30%); Madras (pop. 6.15% - seats 14%)

Muslim majority provinces:

Hindus were given weightage more than their population In Bengal (25% more) and Punjab (10% more)

[criticized by certain Muslim politicians and journalists as they lost majorities in Bengal and Punjab while no real benefit accrued in Muslim minority provinces ] 33

SETTLEMENT OF COMMUNAL ISSUES-III

In

Provincial Councils Muslims seats were:

Punjab 50%; Bengal 40%; Bombay 35%; UP 30%; Bihar 25%; CP 15%; Madras 15%;

34

DEMANDS FROM BRITISH GOVT.

Provincial

Autonomy: Max. administrative and financial autonomy for provinces members of Central / Provincial Executive Councils to be popularly elected Legislative Councils with substantial popularly elected majorities (around 80%) of Executive from Judiciary

Half

All

Separation

35

SIGNIFICANCE -I
Notwithstanding

the criticism on weightage principle, for the first time an agreed solution to the constitutional issues in India was found by the two parties / communities trust among Hindus and Muslims [critical - ultimately of no use] clear benefits to Muslims

Created

Three

Separate electorate accepted by Hindus More seats / weightage in Muslim minority provinces Communal veto [not accepted by British in 1919 Act] 36 Khilafat Movement

SIGNIFICANCE - II
Heavy

price paid by Muslims lost majorities in Bengal and Punjab Congress / Hindus gave strength to the indigenous cause vis--vis the British Hindu-Muslim honeymoon culminated into

For

The

Non-cooperation Movement
Khilafat Movement
37

CONCLUSION
Though

Hindu Muslim unity and the influence of the pact proved short lived yet it greatly impacted the future course of events in next few years

The

political strength of Congress and AIML increased vis--vis the British

38

KHILAFAT MOVEMENT
39

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS

Trace

the course of the khilafat movement and assess its significance for the development of Muslim nationalism. (2004) the credit side as well as debit side of the Khilafat Movement.(1996)

Analyse

40

INTRODUCTION
The

Movement was an attempt towards religious consciousness

The only movement during British India which had no direct concern with the affairs of Muslims of India But it greatly influenced subsequent political strategy of Indian Muslims in fact spearheaded Pakistan movement
41

BACKGROUND

Turkey (Ottoman Empire) the seat of Muslim Caliphate joined hands with Germany against allies, headed by Britain during WW-1 (1914-19) British Government sought help of Indians (especially Muslims) against Germans and its partners and promised not to deprive Turkey of her territories including holy places after cessation of hostilities Victorious Britain, backed out of the promise turned Turkey into fragments like Germany and Austria Enraged Muslims launched Khilafat Movement struggle for status quo (retention of Khalifah - the institution was 42 instrumental to the concept of Islamic Ummah)

FEATURES & DYNAMICS

43

PIONEERS
Who

led the movement?

Jinnah or Aga Khan? Ulemas from Deoband or Nadva?

Jinnah

had opposed Khilafat Movement from the platform of ML, Why?

Logic: interference into foreign affairs was against the charter of the party

Maulana

Mohd Ali Jauhar (Comrade and Hamdard

spread message)
Maulana

Shaukat Ali Jauhar; Abul Kalam; Ulemas 44 from Deoband joined the movement

ALL INDIA KHILAFAT CONFERENCE

AIKC

a body to protect status of Turkey / Khilafat passed resolution in first session in Dec 1919 at Amritsar asking Muslims to:

Abstain from victory celebrations; Boycott the British goods; Not to cooperate with the Government;

AIKC

sent a delegation to the British to acquaint them with Muslim feelings

March 1920 delegation reached Europe addressed meetings in London / Paris The aim remained unfulfilled. 45 They came back home without any success

NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT
Gandhi
Joined

an advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity

Jauhar brothers

Motive was to gain strength for self rule Hindus also felt betrayed by the British for their promise of self rule in India after the War

Announced

Non-cooperation Movement, from platform of Congress in 1920 Session at Calcutta, and exhorted Indians to:

Surrender all British titles Refuse to attend any Government function Boycott of British law courts Boycott of forthcoming elections

46

KHALIFAH & SAWARAJ

Khalifah

and Sawaraj (self rule) became the two slogans of the movement movement became very successful and popular both Mohammad Ali and Gandhi toured India Jauhar even imprisoned.

The

47

ANTI-CLIMAX
Death

Blows to the Khilafat Movement:

Gandhi unilaterally called off Non-cooperation Movement in February 1922. Why? After Chauri Chaura (small town in Bombay) Tragedy when 15 policemen were killed by angry protestors and skirmishes between people and law enforcers started to restore peace
The emergence of Kamal Ata Turk and establishment of Modern Turkey after abolishing the title of Khalifah
48

SIGNIFICANCE
IN THE HISTORY OF MUSLIM INDIA
49

A. INDIGENOUS / POPULAR

Most popular indigenous movement - No direct relevance to Indian Muslims but united them and brought further closer to Indian Hindus
New type leadership for Muslims: who no longer operated behind the scene but mingled with masses and prepared to go behind the bars

Popular politics replaced drawing room discussions

Jauhar

brothers established Jamia-i-Milli (National Muslim University) which served as alma mater for national education

Critical: Jauhar brothers, under Gandhis leadership, tried to take over Aligarh but could not succeed, established this institution 50

B. AN EYE OPENER
An

eye opener for Muslims Hindus and Muslims made a united / common cause but Gandhi called off Non-Cooperation Movement unilaterally

Critical:

He did it to avert violence but should have taken Muslims in confidence Muslims suspected Gandhis intentions communal violence ensued which served a death blow to Hindu Muslim unity

Involvement

of masses in politics: Indian Muslims knew 51 how to agitate and how to participate in politics

C. RELIGIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS
Religion

was pivotal for the movement, subsequently became instrumental for future politics consciousness turned into political consciousness of masses in politics: Indian Muslims knew for the first time how to agitate and how to participate in politics
52

Religious

Involvement

D.
Brought

UNITY IN MUSLIM RANKS

radicals and moderates closer:

Jauhars and Agha Khan

While

agitators were taking out processions in India, constitutionalists / loyalists were writing articles in The Times in Britain

Their aim was identical (only the means were different)

53

THE DARKER SIDE

Brought

an end to politics of Luknow Pact which Jinnah had concluded with Congress with great effort the beginning it appeared that Khilafat Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement were logical corollaries of the unity period

In

Soon the myth of Hindu-Muslim unity broke down!

It

took leadership of Muslims from enlightened / secular leaders like Jinnah to the Muslim clergy, who hated the secular politics of ML led by Jinnah

Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind,

a new political organization of Muslims emerged on the Indian scene, which later opposed Pakistan plan 54

CONCLUSION
Movement

couldnt achieve its stated objectives but its impact was far reaching on the subsequent course of the politics of Indian Muslims movement indeed spearheaded Pakistan movement as:
Muslim masses learnt politics They knew that Hindu Muslim unity was a myth They started thinking to devise a separate strategy for themselves

Khilafat

55

MONTAGU-CHELMSFORD REFORMS / GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT 1919

56

INTRODUCTION
Indians

had been demanding and were promised self rule during WW-1 (1914-18) Rule = Governance at Provincial level by native politicians
Act of 1919 fell short of the aspirations of the Indians

Self

The

It

offered a limited role to the native politicians in governance at Provincial level

57

SALIENT FEATURES - I
Direct

elections for Provincial Councils Wider franchise rights Lower property qualifications of Separate Electorates retained

Principle

Extended to Sikhs But other minorities still denied

In

the constitutional structure Congress-ML arrangement (Lucknow Pact) was rejected

58

SALIENT FEATURES - II
The

principle of Dyarchy introduced

Certain ( authority wise less important ) subjects (e.g. health, education, etc. but significant in service delivery) were transferred to the Ministers

Chosen from and responsible to the Provincial Legislative Council

More important functions (e.g. police / law & order, revenue administration, etc.) were retained by British Governors / Executive Council

Analysis:

limited executive authority given at Provincial level objective was to train the natives 59 about the governance

SALIENT FEATURES - III

Governor

to enact any bill, including money bill, if he certified it as essential Legislative Council was replaced by a bicameral legislature:

Central

Council of State and Indian Legislative Assembly with great majority of elected members

Analysis:

Still no executive authority yielded to natives at Central level

/ review of the working of the system 60 by a commission after ten years

Examination

WORKING OF REFORMS - I
1920

elections were boycotted by Congress criticized / rejected Act of 1919

Congress splinter National Liberals participated in elections in most of the provinces

Muslims

did not reject

But AIML also followed Congress did not participate in elections (unity period 1919 to 1924 - AIML did not meet
independently worked with Congress)

After

Khilafat movement, the chapter of rapprochement (unity period) ended

61

WORKING OF REFORMS - II
In

1924, AIML demanded sawaraj (self rule)

Minority safeguards separate electorates Federal polity

Muslim majorities in Punjab, Bengal, NWFP not to be disturbed

Full provincial autonomy

62

SIGNIFICANCE / IMPLICATIONS
1919

Act - Not much significant except that for the first time limited executive authority was delegated to the natives at provincial level

It

widened gulf between Hindus and Muslims to some extent Hindu Ministers policies accentuated the gulf

63

CONCLUSION
In

the beginning the Reforms brought Congress and AIML further closer but on parting of ways started with the practical experiment of the limited rule

Later

64

NEHRU REPORT
1928
65

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS - I

Describe

the main contents and relative importance of the Lucknow Pact and Delhi Muslim Proposals and their respective impact on the subsequent political developments in India. (2011) the role of Quaid-e-Azam for protecting the constitutional rights of Muslims of the subcontinent from 1916-1933? (2009)

Illustrate

Make

a critical comparison of the Nehru Report and the Quaid-e-Azams Fourteen Points. (2001)
66

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS - II

Describe

the main recommendations of the Nehru Report. What was the Muslim reaction to them?(1993) a critical evaluation of the Fourteen Points of the Quaid-i-Azam. (1997) and contrast the Nehru Report and Quaid-i-Azams Fourteen Points(1996).

Give

Compare

67

INTRODUCTION
NEHRU REPORT:
A
A

devise of Motilal Nehru

blue print of Hindu polarization against Muslims and their political rights death blow to the concord of Lucknow

A A

Congress Constitution, demanding Dominion Status for India, came in August 1928

68

BACKGROUND
Lord

Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India, criticized Indians not being able to produce a unanimous report acceptable to all communities All Parties Conference was convened AIML joined but later pulled out due to practical dominance of Hindu Mahasaba an extremist organization committee comprised of certain members of the minority communities, who were not truly represented by their respective communities

Reply:

The

69

SALIENT FEATURES - I
Dominion

Status for India Parliamentary form of government Federation on communal basis in fact suggested unitary state

Rejected

Provincial

autonomy but residuary powers at centre (provinces - linguistically constituted)

be given provincial status

NWFP Sindh

separated from Bombay subject to financial 70 viability

SALIENT FEATURES - II
Separate

electorates abandoned in favour of joint electorate veto scrapped

Communal Universal Only

adult suffrage proposed

1/4th seats for Muslims in Central Legislature to be official language of India

71

Hindi

ANALYSIS
The

report regarded Muslim problem as purely religious and cultural (communal) matter to be cured by full religious liberty and cultural autonomy Declaration of Rights knew where they stood in Congress scheme In 1916 when they needed AIML support they accepted Separate Electorate - here they scrapped it!
72

Muslims

MUSLIM RESPONSE
73

IMMEDIATE REJECTION - I
Muslims

were shocked Members of Central and Provincial Councils found it impossible to agree Khan doubted if any serious minded person could imagine the Muslims accepting it immediate result the two groups of AIML (created in 1927) came closer to oppose it

Agha

The

74

IMMEDIATE REJECTION - II
On

12-03-1929 when the Report was debated in the Indian Legislative Assembly all Muslim members including Jinnah rejected it Times (13-03-1929) observed:

The

The solidarity of Muslim feeling in the Assembly was not unexpected, but certainly disturbing to those trying to represent the Nehru Report as a demand of a united India. Henceforth, such a claim must be manifestly absurd.

75

DELHI PROPOSALS (1929)

All

India Muslim Conference, presided by Agha Khan, met in Delhi in 1929 and laid down following demands:
Federal system residuary powers to provinces Separate electorates Muslim weightage in Hindu Majority provinces Muslims due share in Cabinets (Central & Prov.) Due share in public service jobs Protection & promotion of Muslim education, culture, etc. 76

MUSLIM RESPONSE
(CONTD.)

JINNAHS 14 POINTS
77

(1929)

COMMUNAL ISSUES
Separate

electorates with possibility of joint electorates at a later stage Muslim representation at Centre veto demanded

1/3rd

Communal

Weightage

without changing majority into minority, especially in Bengal & Punjab

78

FEDERALISM
Bi-national

state with loose Federation of 5 Muslim and 6 Hindu majority provinces provincial autonomy - Residuary powers to provinces

Complete

Change

in the Constitution only with the consent of the constituent states franchise
79

Adult

REFORMS IN SINDH / NWFP

Separation Reforms

of Sindh from Bombay

in NWFP and Balochistan on the same footing as in other provinces territorial adjustments should not convert Muslim majorities into minorities in Punjab, Bengal and NWFP
80

Necessary

PARTING OF WAYS
Jinnahs

fourteen points were repetition of what Congress had accepted in Lucknow Pact of these Muslim demands in the Report created / widened gulf between Hindus and Muslims (Congress and ML) was turning point in the history of India the two communities never united afterwards
81

Rejection

This

CONCLUSION
This

political development convinced the Muslims that they could not trust Congress / Hindus co-existentialism replaced with separatism struggle for freedom

Henceforth,

82

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS I (POINTS OF DIVERGENCE)

LUKNOW NEHRU JINNAHS 14 PACT REPORT POINTS SEPARATE ELECTORATES
RECOGNIZED By Congress ABANDONED (proposed Joint Electorate) DEMANDED By Jinnah

PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY
MAXIMUM AUTONOMY Demanded DEMANDED But RESIDUARY POWERS with the Centre DEMANDED But RESIDUARY POWER with 83 Provinces

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS II (POINTS OF DIVERGENCE)

LUKNOW PACT
RECOGNIZED By Congress

NEHRU JINNAHS 14 REPORT POINTS COMMUNAL VETO

ABANDONED By DEMANDED By Nehru Jinnah

MUSLIM REPRESENTATION IN LEGILATIVE COUNCIL

Congress RECOGNIZED 1/3rd Muslim Representation CONCEDED Only Jinnah 1/4th By Nehru DEMANDED 1/3rd Again

84

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS III (POINTS OF DIVERGENCE)

LUKNOW NEHRU JINNAHS 14 PACT REPORT POINTS SINDHS PROVINCIAL STATUS
No Mention DEMANDED if financially viable DEMANDED By Jinnah in any case
Jinnah DEMANDED Language rights 85 for Muslims

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
No Mention HINDI

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IV
(POINTS OF CONVERGENCE)

LUKNOW PACT
AGREED Self Govt. at Provincial Level

NEHRU REPORT
DEMANDED Federal (RPs to Centre) Parliamentary

JINNAHS 14 POINTS
REITERATED Federal (RPs to Provinces) Parliamentary

FORM OF GOVERNMENT

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
No Mention HINDI Jinnah DEMANDED
86

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS V
(POINTS OF CONVERGENCE)

LUKNOW PACT
No Mention

NEHRU REPORT
DEMANDED reforms for Provincial status

JINNAHS 14 POINTS
DEMANEDED Provincial Status

NWFP & BALUCHISTAN

FRANCHISE
PROPOSED Universal adult suffrage REITERATED Universal adult 87 suffrage

IQBALS ALLAHABAD ADDRESS 1930

88

PAST YEARS QUESTIONS

Examine Allama Iqbals concept of Muslim Nationalism in the light of Allahabad address (2005) Write detailed notes on any TWO of the following: Allama Iqbal (2001) (b)

Analyse political developments between Iqbals Allahabad address and the Lahore Resolution. (1991)

89

INTRODUCTION
A

landmark in the history of Muslim India

He

was dubbed 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
90

POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF INDIA

Complex

social, cultural, political and linguistic issues remained in the thought process of politicians, thinkers, statesmen since centuries late 1920s new socio-political consciousness of Muslims of India was a poet philosopher and a political thinker studied Indian scene from different angles
91

In

Iqbal

POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF INDIA

He

was a critic of modern / territorial nationalism as understood in Europe

India,

unlike European countries, inhabited by several nations mainly Hindus and Muslims
of religion and polity / state (secularism) not applicable in Indian society plays significant role in Muslim lives. They are not willing to submerge their religious identity to ensure internal harmony settlement of communal question is crucial

Duality

Islam

Hence,

92

THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS - I

India

was not a county but a continent where many nations live - each with separate identity, religion, culture, etc. cant succeed without recognizing the national identity of Muslims nationalism / unitary form of government simply unthinkable for Muslims

Federalism

Modern

Redistribution

of India Muslim India within India: propounded two nation theory logically
93

THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Residuary Punjab,

powers be given to self governing units

NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan amalgamation final destiny at least of North West India

This

will offer peace and security due to internal balance of power

94

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Presented

his idea logically and defended it

effectively
He

did not argue for a Muslim State but for a Muslim block within Indian federation of a very loose centre equivalent to a confederation and Assam did not appear into his calculations later on brought into the scheme by Muslims
95

Bengal

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
[Making

of Pakistan by K K Aziz] Some critics argue that Iqbal never argued for an independent state and, therefore, should not be accorded the parentage of Pakistan criticism can be repudiated by Iqbals letters to Jinnah (from May 1936 to Nov. 1937) 28-03-1937, he wrote it is necessary to
redistribute the country and provide one or more Muslim states with absolute majorities. Dont you think the time for such a demand has already arrived? 96

The

On

SIGNIFICANCE
Provided

new opportunities to think in terms of a separate homeland for Muslims gave most serious consideration to Iqbals scheme of partition Lothian, the then Secretary of State for India appreciated and found it as the only formula to save India from continual tension and strife
97

Jinnah

Lord

CONCLUSION
Iqbal

was the one who gave possible solution to the troubles of India Resolution finally demanded a separate homeland which was initially thought by Iqbal was indeed an architect and an ideologue of Pakistan Jinnah gave reality to his dream
98

Lahore

Iqbal