Ideology is a system of dominant beliefs and ideals that are used to justify and represent the value-ideas construct that dominates social, economic, and political systems. The ideology of Pakistan took shape through an evolutionary process. Historical experience provided the base; Allama Iqbal gave it a philosophical explanation; Quaid-i-Azam translated it into a political reality; and the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, by passing Objectives Resolution in March 1949, gave it legal sanction. When the Muslims of India realized that their future in the Indian sub-continent dominated by Hindu majority was not safe, and that they were not being provided with equal opportunities to compete with the Hindus and to excel in all walks of life, they demanded a separate state. The Muslims believed that Islam and Hinduism are not only two religions, but are two social orders that produced two distinct cultures.
The war of independence in 1857 led to a significant change in the Indian administration, with the East India Company being abolished in favor of direct British rule.Despite being ill-planned and short-lived, the war shook British Imperialism to its core. The Muslims were blamed for the disaster, leading to oppression and repression. Leading Muslims were hanged or sentenced to jail, and their properties were confiscated. They were also denied important jobs under the crown. The British were hostile towards Muslims, preventing their future rise. The war also had a significant impact on the Indian people, as traditional society failed to resist foreign influences and natural leaders either held aloof or proved incompetent. The traditional structure of Indian society began to break down, leading to the emergence of a strong middle class with a heightened sense of Indian nationalism.Muslims rejected Western education, preferring Persian over English, leading to a decline in their status, initially diagnosed by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who emphasized the importance of learning western education.
In 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded to promote the Indian nationalist movement under British rule. Sir Syed advised Muslims not to join, fearing Hindu domination. This led to the emergence of the All-India Muslim League in 1906, which later demanded a separate state for Muslims. Initially favoured by the British, the league later adopted self-government for India in 1913. Leaders like Mohammed Ali Jinnah called for Hindu-Muslim unity in a united India. However, it was not until 1940 that the league called for a separate Muslim state from India.
In 1936-37, British India held provincial elections in eleven provinces, as mandated by the Government of India Act 1935. The Indian National Congress emerged in power in seven provinces, except for Bengal, Punjab, Sindh, and Assam. The All-India Muslim League failed to form a government in any province. The Congress party, which represented 95% of the Indian population, won almost 750 seats out of 1771 in 8 out of 11 provinces, while the Muslim League only captured 106 seats.The Congress ministries were formed in July 1937, with exclusive harsh policies against Muslims, including making Hindi the national language, establishing the Congress flag as the national flag, and promoting Hindu culture through the Vidya Mandar Scheme. Muslims were also excluded from government offices, career opportunities, and trade and agriculture. This led to massive Hindu-Muslim riots. Several reports, such as the ‘Pirpur Report’ ‘Muslim Sufferings under Congress Rule’ and ‘The Sharif Report’, were issued by Muslims leaders to voice against their injustice and cruelty.
In October and November 1939, Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s declaration of India’s involvement in World War-II without consulting elected Indian representatives. Quaid-i-Azam called for Muslims to observe the day of deliverance, offering prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude.It was then when majority of Muslims supported Muhammad Ali Jinnah, prompting him to call for the 27th annual session of the All-India Muslim League in Lahore.The Muslim League had only a few thousand members in Lucknow in 1937; the Quaid dedicated his life to strengthening it, and by March of 1940, when the League had its largest assembly, it had grown to half a million members, seeking the foundation of Pakistan. The French philosopher Renan is correct when he states that “man is not enslaved by his race, religion, the course of rivers, or the direction of mountain ranges. An aggregation of man, sane of mind and warm of heart, creates a moral consciousness and infuses in the masses the idea of reasserting their hegemony, and prepares them for achieving their lost empire”.
On March 23, 1940, a resolution was presented that outlined the basic principles for a constitutional plan in India. The resolution emphasized the need for geographically contiguous units to be grouped into autonomous, sovereign states, and for adequate safeguards for minorities’ rights. The Hindu press also used the word ‘Pakistan’ in an ironic manner, and the Muslim League later declared it as Pakistan Resolution. The resolution was widely accepted by prominent Muslim leaders.Within seven years of their struggle, Muslims were able to gain an independent state.
Following Pakistan’s birth, the country faced numerous challenges, both genuine and initiated by India, which were crucial to the state’s existence. The core issues faced by Pakistan included Jammu and Kashmir, Pakhtunistan, princely states, refugee influx, administration, financial resources, asset division, armed forces division, foreign policy trends, foreign missions, constitution framing, and provincial governments. Despite these challenges, Quaid-i-Azam remained determined and worked tirelessly and embraced the diversity of citizens, including Parsis, Hindus, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and worked harmoniously to create one nation.
Though Pakistan has made significant progress in various fields, including becoming a nuclear power, expanding its economy, and growing cities, the benefits of development have been unevenly distributed, primarily benefiting the privileged classes. There is a sense of disorientation among the people, as they don’t know where they are heading and what they want to make of their country. For years, Pakistan has functioned without constitutional governance, with its destiny being decided by military rulers. This protracted struggle between politicians and the military has led to a loss of popular trust, leading to economic and social problems. There needs to be a future for Pakistan beyond the past and present, and preserving Quaid’s ideals is crucial. However, it would be a mistake to compromise on democracy and moderate Pakistan as the only course to follow.
The writer is Ph.D in Political Science, and visiting faculty at QAU Islamabad. His area of specialization is political development and social change.
