Role of Quaid-i-Azam in the creation of Pakistan

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Role of Quaid-i-Azam in the creation of Pakistan

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Had there been no Jinnah, there would have been no Pakistan.

Introduction:

Speaking about the principal actors in the final act of transfer of power from the Pakistan to the Indians, H.Y. Hudson, the author of perhaps the most authoritative British accounts of Imperial retreat from India, “The Great Divide”, says that:

….of all the personalities in the last act of great drama of India’s rebirth to independence Muhammad Ali Jinnah are at once the most enigmatic and the most important.

Leonard Mosley:Even regards Pakistan as a one man achievement.

Role of Quaid-i-Azam:

Quaid-i-Azam was not always a Quaid-i-Azam, Jinnah paid a heavy price to become Quaid-i-Azam. Jinnah, whose true political career started from when he joined Muslim League in 1913, became politically a well known figure by the episode of Lakhnow Pact (1916) when he was coined as an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity but the events ensuing gave a new shape to the drama of politics in India. The slogan of Hindu-Muslim unity proved short lived. The failure of khilafat Movement and the Nehru Report classified the Muslims minds from the illusion of Hindu-Muslim unity. But Jinnah who interposed his person by the dint of his initiative and courage. He become successful in defending the Muslim cause so gallantly that evil design of Hindus could not achieve them objectives. His Fourteen Points (1929) saved the Muslims from the octopus of the Congress.

Struggle for Pakistan:

The most critical phase of the Muslim struggle in the sub-continent comes during the period 1937-1947, when Quaid-i-Azam proved himself to be the real founder of Pakistan. It was none else than Jinnah who re-organized Muslim League during the crucial period of Indian history (1936-1939). The league had not only lost 1937 elections but also lost its morale. At this critical juncture, Jinnah resurrected the Muslim League like a phoenix from its ashes. Had there been no such reorganization the league would have seen the sane fate in 1945-46 General Elections.

The historical situation during the 1937-47 decade presented and permitted of two alternative paths of development of Muslim politics, i.e.,

i) going along with the Congress viewpoint or

ii) Striking out an independent live.

These alternative paths were presented at least on seven different, but specific occasions-1937, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1946 and 1947. But on no occasion did Jinnah waver, and each time he chose for himself and for Muslims of India. The path towards establishing Muslim religion-political identity on a constitutional plan- the path concretized since 1940 in the Pakistan platform. Starting from the Jinnah’s presidential address to all India Muslim League at Lakhnow session (1937), he always remained emphatic over the Muslim separation and independent line of action for the league. Thus by the beginning of 1940, Muslim politics took a new and significant turn, and departed from pre 1937 policy. Jinnah’s presidential address on March 22, 1940, at Lahore is a hallmark in the history of Muslim Nationalism in India. He made the concept of two Nation theory clear and out rightly rejected the idea of Indian nation. The historic resolution that ensured his address became the clarion call as well as morning star in the two hundred years dark night of the slavery of Indian Muslims. The mole which was roaming aimlessly in the desert of despondency started marching towards its destination under the leadership of capable, brave and upright leader, indeed the great leader-M.A. Jinnah.

The Crisps proposal-a device of British diplomacy to appease Indians and to get their co-operation in the 2^nd world war against ‘Axis powers, was an evil design to counter the Muslim demand for separate homeland Nevertheless, non-accessional clause opened the way for partition of country. The formation of Pakistan as resolved in 1940, was dump by other clauses if formula. It was Jinnah who perceived the miss achieve ness of the scheme and out rightly rejected the plan.

It is true that Jinnah accepted the cabinet mission plane initially, but his acceptance, though genuinely sincere at the time, primarily motivated by the fact that the plane contained the seeds of Pakistan. The plane provided for the some what limited Muslim religious political identity in the co federal India with the prospects of Pakistan after a decade, if the proposed arrangement failed to work to the satisfaction of the Muslims.

It may lie argued fateful decision to continue boycott of the constituent assembly after having got the Muslim League entrenched in the interim Government in October 1946 was solely Jinnah’s. This decision let directly to his Majesty’s governments declaration of 6^th December, 1946 and if 20^th February, 1947 which paved the way for the partition. Not only regard to this constituent assembly boycott decision but in several other crucial decision during the movements 1937-47 decade as well, Jinnah alone mattered and Jinnah alone or for the most part, determined the Muslim India and politico were to traverse.

3^rd June plane of Lord Mountbatten and Red Cliff award, no doubt, eclipsed the Muslim optimism of restoring their land by the right justification of numerical majority of the areas (especially Bengal and Punjab) yet it was Jinnah’s sagacity to handle Mountbatten who had no intention to give Jinnah a Pakistan. The allegations against Jinnah’s accepting the moth-eaten Pakistan can lie refuted. In fact, Jinnah had no expediency other than to accept their offer because refusal of the offer must have amounted to be bingeing on the process of transfer of power.

Conclusion:

Indeed, even as late as June 1946, whatever the political forces and conditions at work the alternative path of united India was more likely and more imminent choice, and it was Jinnah alone who made the crucial decisions that led Muslim India directly to Pakistan within a year that transferred the possibility of an independent Muslim homeland into actuality. Thus Jinnah’s person was crucial and actual in the making of Pakistan. The whole world acknowledged that had there been no Jinnah there would have been no Pakistan. And the nation rightfully acclaimed him Quaid-i-Azam- The Great Leader.