History of All India Muslim League

Ideology & Constitution of Pakistan

• Pakistan's ideology is based on the Two Nation Theory
• The Two Nation Theory argues that Hindus and Muslims in India are distinct communities and cannot coexist peacefully within a single state
• This theory led to the partition of India in 1947
• The Two Nation Theory is based on the idea that Muslims have different religious, cultural, social and daily life from Hindus, and require a separate state for their identities
• The Two Nation Theory was the basis for the struggle for the creation of Pakistan
• This theory promoted religious nationalism and advised Muslim nationhood with separate homelands for Indian Muslims and Hindus in a decolonized British India
• This ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947

Two Nation Theory

• The theory suggests Hindus and Muslims cannot peacefully co-exist in one nation
• Conflict, discrimination, and dominance would inevitably arise between communities
• This led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947, to ensure a safer environment for Muslims

Urdu/Hindi Controversy

• The Hindi-Urdu controversy emerged in 1867
• The British government considered accepting a demand from Hindu communities of United Provinces (Utter Pradesh) and Bihar to change the Persian-Arabic script of the official language to Devanagari, adopting Hindi as the second official language
• In 1867, some Hindus in Agra and Oudh demanded Hindi to replace Urdu
• The Congress sided with the Hindus and supported the movement
• The British government also supported the Hindi movement

Partition of Bengal

• The administrative problem faced by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was the size and density of the Bengal Presidency
• The population of Bengal was 54 million, with 42 million Hindus and 9 million Muslims
• Lord Curzon proposed a scheme in February 1905 for the partition of Bengal into Eastern Bengal and Assam
• This was officially implemented on October 16, 1905

Muslims Response Toward Partition

• The creation of Eastern Bengal as a new province presented a more hopeful future for Muslims, who became a majority in the province
• Muslims believed that their social and economic status would improve in the new province
• They saw this as an opportunity for social, economic, and political uplift

Hindu Response Toward Partition

• Hindus reacted negatively towards the partition, viewing it as a threat to their dominance and prosperity
• They viewed the partition as a step towards downgrading their position from superior to inferior
• They feared a reduction in their income and academic/professional opportunities that might move to Dhaka, now a part of the new province

The Shimla Deputation

• The Hindu’s negative attitude toward the anti-partition agitation convinced Muslims the partition struggle would be unproductive
• This prompted the formation of a plan for separate electorates for Muslims
• Muslim leaders, including Mohsin-ul-Mulk, presented the plan to Lord Minto in Shimla on October 1, 1906
• The plan included demands for separate electorates, weightage for Muslims in elected bodies, full representation in services and councils, representation in university senates and syndicates, and aid for the establishment of a Muslim university

Muslim League Establishment

• All India Muslim League (AIML) was formed on December 30, 1906
• The league aimed to protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims in India
• The league was initially led by Nawab Waqar ul Mulk and Sir Samiullah, the Nawab of Dhaka

Government of India Act 1909

• The Act was introduced in 1906 marking a significant moment in the formation of constitutional reforms
• The Secretary of State for India, Lord Morley, began focusing on the formation of constitutional reforms, coordinating with the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto
• In 1906, committees were appointed to consider the need for further legislative council reform, and prepare the necessary dispatch.
• The dispatch was sent to London in March 1907

Indian Council Act of 1909

• The Act addressed Muslim demands for separate electorates
• Included the acceptance of a separate electorate for Muslims
• Introduced party indirect party direct system of election
• Enlarged provincial councils, with a provision for small non-official majorities; however, the official majority remained in the central government
• Expanded the composition of the central legislative council, by adding nearly 60 members
• Gave members of the central legislative council the authority to raise questions pertaining to administrative policies

Quaid-e-Azam's Role

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined the Muslim League in 1913
• He did so while retaining his loyalty with the congress
• He was a prominent advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity at the time
• He invited the Muslim League to attend the Bombay session

Lucknow Pact (1916)

• Representatives of Hindu and Muslim communities met in Lucknow, in January 1911, to discuss communal relations
• In December 1913, at the Karach session of the congress, Bhopindra Nath Basu emphasised the need for better understanding and cooperation between Hindus and Muslims
• On 31 December 1915, at the Bombay session, M.A Jinnah invited the Muslim league to attend a joint session with the congress and the creation of committees for constitutional reforms in India

The Pact; Clauses and Analysis

• Separate electorates were accepted by the Congress
• Separate electorates were enacted in Punjab and Central Provinces although they did not previously exist.
• No bill affecting a particular community could be passed unless supported by three fourths of its representatives.
• Muslims and Hindus were to be given weightage in provinces where they were minorities

Analysis of Lucknow Pact

• It served as a beacon of hope for better Hindu-Muslim relations and cooperation in India
• Unfortunately, a lack of genuine commitment and adherence by Hindus to principles led to mistrust, hatred, and lack of cooperation spreading in the political arena

Khilafat Movement

• In 1919, Indian Muslims, in the absence of the Ali brothers, formed the All-India Khilafat Committee to protect the Turkish state
• The Ali brothers, Molana Mohammad Ali, Shouket Ali, and Kalam Azad played a key role in organizing the committee
• The first Khilafat Day was celebrated on October 17, 1919, marking the start of the Khilafat movement
• The movement aimed to maintain the Turkish Caliphate, protect Muslim holy places, and maintain the unity of the Ottoman Empire

Civil Disobedience and Non-cooperation Movements

• The World War I end brought unhappiness in India due to the foolish Acts (as of 1919) of the government. Such as acts provided imprisonment without trial for persons suspected of terrorist activities
• A large procession of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs protesting happened at Jillian Wala Bagh
• General Dyer and his men opened fire. The casualties were officially estimated at 379 dead and over 1200 wounded.

Civil disobedience and Non-cooperation movements

• The Khilafat committee conference was held on May 28, 1920, in Delhi. It was attended by Hindus and Sikhs. An alliance was formed amongst Khilafat, Akali, Congress, Jamia Ulema Hind and other organizations under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi

Conclusion

• The Khilafat movement negatively impacted the Lucknow pact of 1916 as hard work from Jinnah.
• The pact and the Khilafat movement created a notable unity between Muslims and the Congress to battle for self-government in India
• These efforts contributed greatly to Pakistan's struggle

Delhi Muslim Proposals

• Hindu-Muslim cooperation was maintained until the 1924 start of the Shuddhi movement, when Hindus initiated social pressure to weaken Muslims
• The Hindus intended to demolish mosques if Muslims were strong enough
• At the conference on March 20, 1927, in Delhi, presided over by Jinnah, various Delhi Muslim Proposal demands were made

Nehru Report (1928)

• An all-parties conference was held in Delhi on March 8, 1928.
• A committee chaired by Motilal Nehru was formed to draft a constitution for India
• The Nehru report advocated for the abolition of separate electorates for Muslims
• It also wanted a fully responsible government where the majority would be sovereign, and for the separation of Sindh from Bombay.

Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)

• Jinnah responded to the Nehru Report with fourteen points delivered at the All India Muslim League's annual session in Delhi
• These points addressed the concerns of Muslims and aimed for a federal system with provincial autonomy and separate electorates for Muslims, as well as effective representation for minorities and one-third Muslim representation in the central legislature.

Iqbal's Allahabad Address (1930)

• Iqbal's speech advocated for the division of India to create a separate homeland for Muslims
• The speech highlighted the fact that Muslims in India belonged to a separate nation with their own distinct social, political, and religious structure
• Iqbal's viewpoint stressed the need for a separate homeland and division for Muslims to establish peace in India

Round Table Conference

• The first Round Table Conference was convened in London from November 12, 1930, to January 19, 1931
• The key aim of the conference was to discuss the issues surrounding the constitution-making process for India
• The Congress was absent because of its insistence on a free India without predefining its constitutional future
• Other parties, including Muslim delegations led by Aga Khan, attended the conference

The Most Important Conference Decisions

• Participants agreed on introducing a federal system in India
• Dominion status and a responsible central government were introduced
• The dyarchy system was abolished
• Sindh was granted a separate identity with a responsible provincial government
• Princely states agreed to support the formation of an all-India Federation
• Multiple sessions occurred from 1930 to 1932 to resolve constitutional issues

Role of M.A. Jinnah

• Regarding the future constitution, Jinnah made it clear that no constitution for India could be enforced without the approval of Indian Muslims
• On June 13, 1931, Jinnah emphasised that no constitution would be acceptable to Muslims of India unless appropriate safeguards are established to protect their rights and interests— creating a sense of security for the future

The Communal Award

• Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award on August 16, 1932.
• The award extended separate electorates to depressed classes (scheduled castes) and other minorities in India
• The congress denounced the award and the Muslim league accepted it
• The award led to a shift in the balance of power in India, with Hindus becoming a minority in key areas, while Muslims remained the majority in others

Congress Ministries (1937)

• Congress ministries were established in India in July 1937
• The ministries, however, were met with strong opposition from the Muslim League, criticizing their policies and activities
• The Congress ministries faced criticism for not ensuring justice or fair play for Indian Muslims, which resulted in Jinnah becoming a prominent leader of the League

Lahore Resolution (1940)

• The Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940.
• The resolution proposed the creation of independent states to accommodate the concerns of various communities

Lahore Resolution (1940)

• This resolution declared that adequate, effective, and mandatory safeguards for minorities' rights in religion, culture, economy, politics, and administration were essential to prevent reverse in any constitution for a democratic system
• This resolution was indicative of Muslim League's clear and unmistakable aim of a separate Muslim state in India

Shimla Conference (1945)

• The Shimla Conference took place in 1945 between Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, and major political leaders in British India at the Vice Regal Lodge in Shimla
• The goal was to reach an agreement regarding the future of India as the British planned to leave

Shimla Conference (1945): Main Proposals

• With the exception of the Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, all executive council members should be Indian
• Caste Hindus and Muslims were to be granted equal representation
• The reconstructed council was to function as an interim government, with limits outlined in the 1935 act
• The Governor-General's authority was to be exercised on the advice of ministers

Shimla Conference (1945)

• The Shimla Conference aimed to create a joint list of nominations for the executive council.
• The conference failed due to the inability of the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress to reach an agreement regarding the issues raised in the Wavell Plan, which suggested communal representation regarding self-governance.

The Interim Government (1946)

• The Interim Government was formed on September 2, 1946, to assist in the transition of British India towards independence
• It included a council of ministers equivalent to the position of a Prime Minister, with Jawaharlal Nehru chosen as Vice President and serving as Prime Minister

The Interim Government (1946)

• Lord Wavell proposed a 14-member cabinet, composed of 6 Congress members, 5 Muslim League members, and 3 representing minority groups
• Nehru and Jinnah rejected the proposal, stalling the formation of the interim government and leading to a deadlock

The Interim Government (1946): Remaining Role

• The Interim Government served as a crucial transitional government assisting the transition towards independence
• It managed administrative duties and transferred powers to the local population

3rd June Plan and the Indian Independence Act (1947)

• Lord Mountbatten's 3rd June Plan was announced on June 3, 1947
• The plan aimed to partition British India into two independent dominions—India and Pakistan—and grant independence on August 15, 1947
• The British would cede power to the Congress and Muslim League
• The plan dealt with territorial issues, including princely states, which were permitted to join either dominion or remain independent provinces under certain conditions

3rd June plan and the Indian Independence Act (1947).

• Princely states would have the freedom to join India or Pakistan or remain independent
• British India would transition into two separate dominions
• Khizar Hayat Tiwana’s government in Punjab resigned
• Communal disturbances arose in Punjab
• Lord Mountbatten’s arrival in India occurred on March 22, 1947

3rd June plan and the Indian Independence Act

• Mountbatten oversaw a meeting where Nehru, Patel, leaders from the Congress and Muslim League, were present.
• The meeting ratified the plan which provided for a partition of British India into two independent dominions with separate electorates.

Demarcation of Boundaries: Radcliffe's Award (August 1947)

• The Indian Independence Act of 1947 established the formation of the boundary commissions.
• Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed to preside over the commissions for Punjab and Bengal
• This established the boundary between India and Pakistan under the Radcliffe's Award,
• A significant population exchange occurred between new countries
• Conflicts arose regarding the boundaries, administration, language, and various controversies
• Displacements and violence were common in the aftermath of the partition.

This quiz focuses on the foundational aspects of the All India Muslim League, established in 1906, and its role in the context of Indian politics. It covers significant events such as the demand for separate electorates and the impacts of the Nehru report of 1928 among other historical details. Test your knowledge on this critical period in Indian history.