NELSON Mandela once said “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”.
We must cherish freedom, as citizens of an independent sovereign Muslim majority Pakistan. Those who have any doubts should look at sufferings and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and suffering of Muslims living in India, Myanmar etc. Citizens of Pakistan owe gratitude to Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal and other pioneers of All India Muslim League (AIML whose political struggle helped in carving out an independent state where Muslim majority could live in peace and harmony with members of other faiths, each free to practice it freely, without any fear. The Quaid wanted Pakistan to be a modern democratic welfare state, with a Constitution as supreme law. It is we, who have failed, in ensuring that Jinnah’s vision prevailed. Pakistan was created to be a constitutional federation and not a one-unit. There was no place for any hybrid system, introduced by Iskandar Mirza, a direct descendent of Mir Jaffar.
Almost 4 years before the birth of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1889, a group of Indians with the help of the British, established the Indian National Congress to represent Indians. It remained dormant till such time Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. The foundation of Muslim League was laid at Dacca on December 30, 1906, at a meeting presided by Nawab Viqarul Mulk, Mohsinul Mulk and others. A 57-member committee was constituted to draft a constitution within four months, which was delayed because of the sickness of Mohsinul Mulk. Apart from Maulana Zafar Ali, from Sialkot, who served as political secretary to Mohsinul Mulk, there was Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar from Rampur. All others were from Bengal. The Constitution was prepared by mid-1907 and presented at a meeting held at Karachi on 29-30 December under chairmanship of Sir Adamji Pirbhai, where it was decided to form a 71-member committee of AIML. The first meeting after adoption of constitution was held at Aligarh, presided by Mian Shah Din from Lahore. This was followed by a formal session held at Amritsar on 30-31 December presided by Ali Imam from Bihar. MAJ as yet, had not formally joined the ML, but openly supported the ML. In a letter published in “The Times of India” of 10 February 1909, regarding Morley’s Scheme and suggested modifications. He advocated the concept of separate electorates.
The ML central office was shifted from Aligarh to Lucknow by its President Agha Khan in deference to the objection of UP Governor John Hewett in March 1910 and objections of others. Maulana Mohammad Ali wanted ML to be free from official interference exerted by British members of college staff. Later, on 30 December 1913 Agha Khan resigned and this was accepted by February 1914. Sir Mohammad Ali Khan was then elected at the Bombay session held 30-31 December 1916. Quaid presided over session held at Lucknow where a 71member Committee of eminent members was constituted including MAJ, Agha Khan, Maharaja of Mahmoudabad, Dr Ansari, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Syed Ali Imam, Mian Fazal-e-Hussain, Malik Barkat Ali, AK Fazalul Haq, Ghulam Mohiuddin Kasuri, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan etc. The first meeting was held at Lucknow on 21 August 1916. By now MAJ played an important role. He modified a draft which was circulated and finally adopted after incorporating amendments of others. This was known as Lucknow Pact, adopted by both Congress and ML, which created consciousness among Muslims and a sense of equality. In February 1927, the AIML central office was shifted to Delhi and remained there till independence.
The enactment of Rowlatt Bill in March 1919 created general bitterness amongst Muslims against unfair bias against Turkish Khilafat. MAJ resigned from his seat from the Imperial Legislative Council in protest. In 1919 the Jallianwala massacre was ordered by General Dyer to shoot unarmed demonstrators in Amritsar, killing over 379. This convinced Gandhi and MAJ to demand independence. A conference was held at Delhi presided by AK Fazalul Haq on 22-23 November 1919, representing all shades of Muslims which unanimously decided to form the All India Khilafat Movement. The ML met on 29-31 December with Hakim Ajmal in chair. Allama Iqbal actively participated and addressed the meeting. Earlier, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali and Hasrat Mohani had been imprisoned in Amritsar. In this session MAJ was elected to head ML.
In his presidential address on 7 September 1920 at ML session at Calcutta, MAJ recounted that Rowlat Act was followed by Jallianwala massacre and actions against Ottoman Empire and Khilafat- “one attacks our liberty, the other our Faith”. He stated “one must have one’s own administration in one’s hand to carry on to one’s own satisfaction”. MAJ stated “outrageous terms have been imposed upon Turkey: and the Ottoman Empire has served for plunder and been broken by the Allies under the guise of Mandates—“we can no longer abide our trust either in the Govt of India, or in the Govt of HM”. The realization for independence had taken roots in AIML. He further stated that “India’s blood and India’s gold was sought and unfortunately given to break Turkey and buy fetters of the Rowlat Legislation”. MAJ reminded them “united we stand, divided we fall”. In 2025 it is time to heed to his advice.
The Nagpur Session of the Congress held in December 1920 was the last session of Congress in which Quaid participated. He had already resigned from the Home Rule League and disassociated from Congress. In 1924 MAJ took over as President of ML and by 1930 Nehru became President of Congress. Differences had started emerging openly between the Congress and the ML. Allama Iqbal in his 1930 presidential address at Allahabad had laid down the blueprint for creation of Pakistan. In 1935 the British Raj introduced the Government of India Act, which envisaged giving a role to their toadies like the Unionist Party in Punjab. After the death of Sir Fazal-e-Hussain in 1936, the Raj appointed a technocrat, Maj Sikandar Hayat, who was serving as a member of the Reserve Bank of India, as head of the Unionist Party. This appointment marked a turning point in Punjab’s political landscape, illustrating how colonial powers continued to influence local governance to maintain control. Yet, the resilience and vision of leaders like Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal kept alive the dream of an independent Pakistan—a dream that was finally realized through constitutional struggle and sacrifice.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
