Chapter Establishment of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Khilafat Movement

The World War I broke out in 1914. UK, USA, France, Russia and Italy went into an alliance against Germany, Austria and Turkey. Turkey was the centre of Islamic world in those days, and the Khalifah of Turkey was owned as Khalifah of the whole Islamic world. Turkey was a very large country but it was on the decline. Her failure in war looked immi nent. The centre of Muslim world was in serious danger. The Muslims of the sub­continent had a ray of hope that Turkey would one day corne and deliver them freedom from British rule. The turn in circumstances made them desperate. It looked evident that the Sultanate of Turkey would be partitioned after the war and Turkey would lose the sovereign status. The boundaries of Turkey were e~tended to the whole of north Africa, the Middle East and in a large' areas of Eastern Europe. Hijjaz-e-Muqqadas was in Turkish domain. In case of defeat of Turkey both sacred cities, Makkah and Madina,

Restoration of Turkey's grace as it possessed before and during Wodd W ar- I, and no change to occur in the boundaries of Turkey.

The sanctity of Makkah and Madina should be maintained and non-Muslim forces should not be allowed to enter in these two sacred cities.

, A!Activities of Movement

Delegations were sent to U.K. and other European countries to convey the feelings of the Muslims to the governments.

Doctors, nurses and- medicines were dispatched to Turkey for the treatment of wounded Turkish soldiers.

A large amount of money, gold and silver was collected in the general meetings to give financial aid to Turkey.

Large processions were arranged, protest meetings were held an~ strikes were observed in all big and small, cities in the sub-continent. The Muslim volunteers presented themselves to the police for arrests. All leaders were sent behind the bars but the momentum of movement could not be diminished.

The role of Muslim journalism was tremendous. Zamindar ,of Zafar Ali Khan, AI-Hilal of Azad and Comrade and Hamdard of Jauhar played vital roles in the movement. They inculcated a sense of sacrifice among the Muslims.

as Role of Gandhi

Gandhi got a golden chance to exploit the Muslim OWer for his own purposes. He supported the Khilafat could go in the possession of Christian' allied forces.

Keeping all the apprehensions in view, the Indian Muslims lized a big movement called the Khilafat Movement. .

Leaders of the Movement

Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Dr. r. Ansari, Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad were the main leaders. They set the internal affairs aside and concentrated on the main issue of 'Khilafat. AlA Khilafat Committee was established and Majlis-e­Khadaam-e-Kaaba was organized. Activities started on a very large scale. A delegation was sent to England .to convey the feelings of the Indian Muslims to the Prime Minister and other notable political personalities. The delegation comprised on Maulana Abdul Bari, Maulana Muhammad Ali. They p.ad a series of meetings with British politicians. A number of public meetings were also arranged in England and in some other Western countries. Khilafat Movement expressed the feelings of the Muslims and for that matter special, meetings were conducted and processions were taken out in all the cities of the sub­continent - Khilafat Movement was acknowledged as the biggest of all the movements in the sub-continent.

Objectives of the Movement

The movement was a multi-purpose one. It organized and assembled the Muslims of the sub-continent on one platform. The Muslims, for the time being, kept All India Muslim League aside and came under the banner of Khilafat Committee. Following were the objectives of the Movement.

To keep the institution of Khilafat intact and 'Khalifah to 'carry out the business of government as KOi usual.

Restoration of Turkey's grace as it possessed before and during Wodd War-I, and no change to occur in the boundaries of Turkey.

The sanctity of Makkah and Madina should be maintained and non-Muslim forces should not be allowed to enter in these two sacred cities.

'IActivities of Movement

Delegations were sent to U.K. and other European countries to convey the feelings of the Muslims to the governments.

Doctors, nurses and, medicines were dispatched to Turkey for the treatment of wounded Turkish soldiers.

A large amount of money, gold and silver was collected in the general meetings to give inancial aid to Turkey.

Large processions were arranged, protest meetings were held an4 strikes were observed in all big and small. cities in the sub-continent. The Muslim volunteers presented themselves to the police for arrests. All leaders were sent behind the bars but the momentum of movement could not be diminished.

The role of Muslim journalism was tremendous. Zamindarof Zafar.Ali Khan, AI-Hilal of Azad and Comrade and Hamdard of Jauhar played vital roles in the movement. They inculcated a sense of sacrifice among the Muslims.

ole of Gandhi

Gandhi got a golrlen chance to exploit the Muslim OWer for his own purposes. He supported the Khilafat Movement and participated in the mee~ingS of the Muslims.

Indian National Congress also expressed solidarity with Khilafat Movement. It was again as per Gandhian policies, Indian National Congress itself tried to bring the British I government to its knees before his own movements like Civil Disobediente Movement, Non.;.Co-operation Movement and Swedeshi Movement. By supporting the Khilafat Movement he secured cooperation of theemotional Muslims for his own purposes.

Gandhi advised Muslims to surrender the titles awarded by the government resign from the government jobs come on the streets against the government by quiting the educational activities present themselves for arrests

refrain from paying the taxes

financial

refuse to receive

governments

migrate to Iran, Afghanistan and other MusIL countries

grants

The Muslim leaders could not comprehend the conspiracy' of Gandhi and followed his guidelines.

affected the economy, education and social conditions

the Muslims very badly. Millions of Muslim familie migrated to Afghl;lnistan after selling their properties to th Hindus. Afghan government refused entry to them. On thei return poverty, helplessness, shortage of food an humiliation troubled them. Now they fully realized the re~ face of Gandhi, but it was of little use as they were already ruined.

The End of Movement

The Muslim leaders. and masses co-operated with Gandhi and Indian National Congress during World War-I. Gandhi exploited them fully but when he was sure of Allied victory, ,he abrupty and without consulting Muslim leaders, called off the movements. His step greatly disappointed the Muslims.

When Turkey was about to loose the battle, Mustafa Kamal Pasha, a Turkish General, came to power and abolished Khilafat. Pasha gathered the forces once again and promoted new courage among them. The rivalry between Russia and, UK saved Turkey from total humiliation. Both wanted to usurp the Turkish ~.reas. They threatened each other and no one could move forward to take over the Turkish soil. Ghazi Mustafa Kamal .Pasha became a force. He signed a Pact with the Allied forces at Lausanne. The sovereign position of Turkey survived. The Hijaz-e;-Muqqadas was handed over to Sharif Hussain of Makkah and the control of Turkey on the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europ~ was lost. However, all the objectives of the Khilafat Movement were achieved.

Hijjaz-e-Muqqadas remained under Muslim control. The Allied armies did not step in that ar~a.

Turkey as a country survived.

Turkish Khilafat was abolished but not by the Allied forces. Turks themselves brought the changes in their own country.

The Khilafat Movement finally came to an end.

Factors for .Demand of Pakistan

Why was Pakistan demanded? Why did the Muslims of the sub-continent feel its necessity? Some people say that Pakistan was the creation of British government. They believe that the Britishers did it according to their policy of 'divide and rule'. This is misleading. The truth is different. Now we discuss the factors that led to the creation of Pakistan.

Communal Riots

A large number of inhabitants of sub-continent used to be th~ victims of communal riots every year. The Muslims were massacred by the Hindu militants time and agaih,in an organized way. As Hindus were in majority, it looked evident that the Hindus could monopolise the politics after the departure of Britishers. The lives of Muslims could never be safe in the united India. The Hindu organizations had again and again asserted that Hindu Raj woutd be imposed on India after the independence. The future apprehension of the atrocious rule of Hindus more severe than that of the Congress rule compelled the Muslims to have a separate state.

Social Environment

. The Muslims were scared of the Hindu Samaj in which the caste system and other discriminations could make the Muslims second rate citizens. They could enjoy neither political nor social liberties, therefore, they preferred to have a separate homeland in which they could live according to the teachings of Islam.

Muslim Language and Culture

The Hindus did their best to replace Urdu by Hindi. but they did not succeed during British period. If South Asia had got freedom without partition, the Hindu majority could very easily declare Hindi, the official and national language. The Hindu government could wipe out all signs of Muslim culture, therefore, the Muslims had no choice except to put a demand for Pakistan.

Two Nation Theory

The Muslims claimed separate nationhood for themselves and they were determined to maintain a separate entity for all times to come. The Muslims believe in separate religion, practise different traditions, have their own history and their cultural heritage. Their claim was absolutely true. It was their right to keep their separate entity alive and to enjoy all human rights. This was not pos'sible in undivided India.

Congress Ministries

The Congress ran the government in a number of provinces from 1937 to 1939. During Congress Ministries the Muslims were maltreated and deprived of their rights. Hindu did every thing to crush the Muslims in all spheres. It was a very bad and eye-opening experience. When Congress Ministries resigned, the Muslims celebrated 'Day of Beliverance'. The humiliating attitude of Hindus forced the Muslims to strive for a separate h<;>meland for themselves. They had experienced the rule of majQrity government of Hindus so they could not think of going through the same experience once again.

Establishment of Islamic State

Islam is a complete code of life. The Muslims wanted to implement the system practically. This could, not be attained in 'United India', therefore, they passed a resolution and demanded an Islamic state in the North East and North West of South Asia. They wanted to establish an Islamic state, a model for others.

Pakistan Resolution

The historical annual session of All India Muslim League was held in 'Iqbal Park' (Minto Park) Lahore on. 23rd March 1940. The meeting was presided over by the Quaid-e-Azam and a large number of Muslims came from all the provinces to attend the meeting. Maulvi Fazal-ul­ Haque a renowned Bengali leader presented the resolution. They passed the resolution with great zeal. The Muslims set the clear goal on that historic day. Minar-e-Pakistan has I been built to commemorate the Lahore Resolution. The Hindu journalists ironically called it Pakistan Resolution.

The Muslims got the term and they also started using the term Pakistan Resolution~

After seven years All India Muslim League achieved t~e objective, and Pakistan came into being. .

Background of Pakistan Resolution

The Muslims decided to create a separate state after a lot of considerations and deliberations. The decision was neither abrupt nor sentimental. They did not ask fori Pakistan in a hurry - a show of their prejudices. The I Muslim leaders were worried about national future, ever: since the Muslims lost the war of Independence 1857, The ~only goal before the leaders was to provide peaceful, safe and graceful environment to the Muslim nation. The future I looked bleak and unsatisfactory. The presence of Hindu I majority on the soil of British India was the root cause ofl their worries. Different suggestions were presented by' different leaders. Many eminent Muslim personalities I hinted the creation of a separate state in their speeches andl writings. Syed Jamal-ud-din Afghani, Abdul Haleeml Sharar, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Khairy

Brothers supported the demand, Some Hindu leaders and intellectuals, like C.R.Das and Lala Lajpat Rai supported I the move, considering that there was no other practical\ solution of the political problem. The idea of partition oft the sub-continent between the Hindus and the Muslims wasl appreciated by the British intellectuals like Blunt and John

Bright. The iron man of Russia, Joseph Stalin, anticipated the division of India.

Allama IqbaL in his presidential address at the. Annual session of All India Muslim League in 1930, declared that the establishment of a separate state in th~ North West of t.he sub-continent for the Muslims, the goal of the Muslim nation.

As a student of Cambridge University, Chaudhry Rehmat Ali, distributed a pamphlet \ among the participants of Round Table Conference in 1932. The title of the pamphlet was 'Now or Never in which he suggested the division of the sub-continent into a few states.

The Sindh Muslim League passed a resolution in its annual Session of 1938 and demande

Syed Hassan Riaz wrote that the Quaid-e-Azam had made up his strong mind to have a separate state for the Muslims in 1930 and till' 1940 he kept on preparing the minds of the Muslims.

Presidential Address

The Qmiid-e-Azam in his presidential address clearly indicated the direction of Muslim struggle. He said, Muslims, by any definition of the word, are a nation and possess their separate culture, social and religious system and sound traditions.

The sub-continent is not one country and Hindu ,Mulsim issue is. an international issue. It is not an issue of communal nature. The solution of the problem lies in the creation of more thaQ one state in South Asia.

The rights of the Muslims will be unsafe in undivided India.

Partition of a land into two or more than two states is not an unprecedented idea. The Iberian Peninsula was divided into Spain and Purtagal, Ireland was separated from United Kingdom and Czechoslovakia came into existence, because of partition. Referring to all such examples, he asked for the partition of British India. He termed it logical and just.

Basic Points of the Resolution

The. contiguous units in different areas to be redemarcated as such that the Muslim majority areas of North East and North West be established as independent Muslim states.

No scheme other than partition of the Sub-continent will be accepted.

After the partition the .rights of the Muslim minority will be protected, and suitable arrangements will be made for this purpose.

Hindu Reaction

Immediately after the passing of the resolution, the Hindu journalists and leaders expressed their resentment. The demand was rejected by them and they ridiculed it. It was declared impracticable. Gandhi and Nehru, in particular, criticized it and turned it down in harsh words.' The Muslim League called it the Lahore Resolution but the Hindu press ironically termed it as the Pakistan 'Resolution. The Muslim leaders adopted the new term. The resolution was, later on, called the Pakistan Resolution in all quarters.

A large number of theologists were reluctant to support the demand for pal1ition. Only a few of them like Maulana Shabbir Ahmed U smani, Maulana Zafar Ahmed Ansari, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi and some others supported the leaders of the Muslim League.

The British press did not pay much attention.

The Hindus were confident that Pakistan would not be created. but determination and joint struggle of the Muslims made it possible. Pakistan was on the map of the world (lfter seven years.

Cripps Mission

A mission was sent to the sub-continent in 1942 by the Government of Great Britain under the leadership of Sir, Stafford Cripps. The Indian Muslims, through the Pakistan Resolution, had already demanded the creation of Pakistan. .

The Japanese forces were heading towards South Asia. The war seemed to. be goihg in Japanese favour. The preliminary successes of Japanese encouraged the Indian

, National Congress. The movements against the government by Congress were trouble-some for the Britishers. Congressites were confident that Japanese would hand over the power to the Indians after Britain's defeat. The Cripps Mission arrived but could not get any support from the Congress. Cripps brought a few proposals for discussions with the major political forces in the sub-continent.

Cripps Proposals

The sub-continent will be given the status of a dominion after the war.

All government departments will be handed over to the Indian Ministers including Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications.

A Central Constituent Assembly will be formed to formulate a constitution. The Constituent Assembly will be elected by the members of the' Provincial Assemblies.

Special steps will be taken to provide safeguards to the minorities.

After the formulation of the constitution by the Constituent. Assembly, it will be sent to the provinces. The provinces who do not endorse the Constitution will be empowered to create a separate and free status for themselves.

Reaction of Political Parties

The Quaid-e-Azam and All India Muslim League expressed thanks to Cripps and the Government of Great Britain for the promise to the Muslim majority provinces free and independent status. The hint was a clear indication of the creation of Pakistan. .

All India Muslim League expressed thanks for the proposed ,steps for the protection of the rights of minorities.

All India Muslim League discussed the proposals in the meeting and after long discussions, it decided not to approve the Cripps proposals as the demand. for Pakistan was not accepted in clear cut terms.

Gandhi and his political party, Indian National Congress, absolutely rejected the Cripps proposals. They ridiculed the proposals: A post dated cheque of a bank that is going to be bankrupt. The Congress criticized the right of veto, given to the provinces. It opposed the idea of partition. It expressed its displeasure for providing protection to the minorities.

The Cripps propos.als were prepared by the British government under American pressure. The government was not willing to agree to the demands of Indian National Congress. On the other hand Congress could not support the proposals when the Japanese were looking to be in strong position. The effor$. proved futile but from Muslim point of view, it

was a step toward partition.

Simla Conference

Simla Conference was convened by the Vicroy, Lord Wavell, to have a dialogue with the major political parties in 1945. The following politicians were invited to participate in the Conference at Simla, a summer resort,. and capital of t~e Federal. government in the summer season.

Congress: Pundit Nehru, Beldev Singh and Azad ttuslim League: Quaid-e-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan and Abdur Rub Nishtar

Chief Ministers: :Allyrovinces

Unionist and other parties' representatives

. Backgr~)Und

. The Indian National Congress kept on pressurizing

the British government to quit India. The failure of ,Cripps Mission encouraged the Congress leaders. Gandhi was not prepared to tolerate British raj anymore. His 'Quit India Movement' gained momentum. Gandhi wanted immediate transfer of power to the majority party. He tried to blackmail the government, and gave the boycott call to the workers. Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, Swedeshi Movement and other methods were used to force the Britishers I to quit India. Processions and protest meetings were arranged in all the cities. Ghandhi and his party was expecting the defeat of the Allied Forces at the hands of the Japanese, therefore, the Hindus continuously built up the pressure against the government. In all such activities the All India Muslim League was ignored.

The expectations of Gandhi were not fulfilled. The Allied Forces gained the ground. The desperate Gandhi changed his tactics and turned toward the Muslim League. Gandhi Jinnah dialogues were arranged. The former wanted to entrap the later. Gandhi was now ready to give some concessions to the Muslims in order to start a joint struggle of the two parties. The Quaid very well understood his mind. He did not agree to enhance the strength of the Ghandian movements. The Quaid did not budge an inch from his demand for Pakistan. The situation demanded some sort of government initiative. So the Vicroy gave his plan in the SimJa Conference.

Wavell Plan

The Vicroy of India, Lord Wavell chalked out a plan to settle the political issues with the political parties to introduce a frame work order, under which the elections to federal and provincial legislative assemblies could be conducted for the formation of future government. The Plan was as under:

The future constitution will be framed with the consent of all major political parties.

An Executive Council will be made and representatives of all major political parties will be included in the Council. The Council will consist of six Hindus, five Muslims and one British.

The Vicroy will preside over' the meetings of the Executive Council.

The Commander-in-Chief will be an ex-officio member of the 'Executive Council.

All the members of the Council will be nominated by the Viceroy.

Provincial Executive Councils will also be organized. Governor of the province will be the Chief"of the Council, in each province.

Failure of the Conference

The conference had to decide the political infrastructure, the formation of assemblies and governments at central as well as provincial level. The move was encouraging forCongress. What so ever was the 0- situation, the Congress was going td form the government on the basis of its majority. Congress joined the conference proceedings with high hopes. It had also declared before holding a conference that it would not accept partition in any case.

. The meeting started to discuss the first point on agenda. The point related to the nomination of five Mulsim~ ministers of th~ Vicroy's Executive Council. The Quaid-e­-Azam vehem~nt1y argued that all the five would be nominated on the recommendations of All India Muslim League. No other party had a right to send even a single member. The Vicroy and Indian National Congress wished to nominate Maulaml Azad as, Muslim minister. The Quaid I did not agree to this proposal. Now Vicroy asked the Quaid I to accept Malik Khizar Hay at Tiwana, the leader of I Unionist party. The Quaid-e-Azam rejected this name as well and insisted that all the five ministries should be given to All India Muslim League. The very first point created a fuss and further discussion was futile, therefore, the Simla Conference failed in getting any objective.

Responsibility for Failure

The Indian National Congress held the Quaid-e­Azam responsible for the failure. Lord Wavell also criticized the inflexible attitude of the Quaid-e-Azam. He refuted the blame and disclosed the trap prepared by Lord Wavell and Gandhi to entr~p the Muslims. It was their joint venture. Had Muslim League accepted the plan, it would never had a separate state in the shape of Pakistan.

The new elections were held in 1945-46 and the Muslim League won all the Muslim seats of the Federal Assembly. These elections further strengthened the Quaid's position. The Muslim masses gave their clear cut verdict in favour of the Muslim League, and it came out v,ictorious as . the only Muslim political party.