THE struggle for independence of Pakistan and India, from British Colonial Raj, was led by political parties. For over 100 years, the Indian subcontinent was a British colony, which they occupied through use of force, intrigues, threats and intimidation, coupled with bribes for natives, willing to serve the Raj and betray their motherland. Some of the worst atrocities were committed by Colonial Raj. Thousands were killed in cold blood, to strike fear in the hearts of the natives. They built cantons on the periphery of every major city and town in the subcontinent to brutally crush any uprising. It is an unfortunate fact that a few thousand British troops were able to prolong their tyrannical rule with the help of natives, willing to collaborate with them.
For democracy to function effectively, it must foster tolerance for dissent and rely on governance grounded in laws, ethics, and morality, rather than the imposition of the majority’s will. The difference between a populist-elected government and fascism is thin, especially when rights are suppressed. To prevent authoritarianism and the concentration of power, it’s vital to limit any leader to a maximum of two elected terms. In Islam, sovereignty belongs solely to the Divine, not to any individual, reinforcing the prohibition against absolute rulers or dictators. Essential to democracy are change, accountability and respect for diverse opinions. Political reason is endangered when politicians assume the role of Murshids (cult leaders) and their followers act like “Mureeds” (uncritical devotees)—a mindset that contradicts democratic values and resembles fascism, where disagreement is suppressed, and authority is unchallenged. True democracy champions freedom of thought and ensures leaders remain accountable and replaceable.
The Quaid believed that “Islam came in the world to establish democracy, peace and justice to safeguard the rights of the oppressed”. All India Muslim League was led by M.A.Jinnah with the likes of Allama Iqbal., all educated men, with a vision and commitment to achieve a sovereign homeland, where Muslim majority could live in peace and harmony, with members of other faiths. Diversity and Tolerance was the gist of MAJ’s 11 August address. Similarly, India’s independence struggle was led by the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, both educated men. Almost all religious parties opposed MAJ and AIML. They either supported Congress or never wanted the British to leave the subcontinent. The Unionist Party in Punjab advocated that “Sun should never set on the British Empire”. They were beneficiaries of British occupation and were given titles and lands for services rendered to HM government. It was in this background that the political struggle emanated which finally succeeded in carving out a separate homeland for the Muslims.
Despite all odds, the foundations of AIML were laid at Dacca in 1906 by Viqarul Mulk, Mohsinul Mulk and others. It is a fact that there was no armed struggle involved and this was solely a constitutional and political struggle, led by men of intellect and commitment. There was no militant wing associated with the AIML, nor, for that matter, did the Congress have dedicated militant activists. Almost all militants opposed MAJ and his political struggle. The Quaid himself was a victim of such an attack in 1943 by an activist associated with Khaksar. He, by the grace of the Almighty, survived. Gandhi Jee succumbed to an attack by a militant, who attacked him in 1948. Had MAJ not survived, the 240 million Muslims who live in Pakistan would have been subjected to daily torment, harassment and abuse of violent Hindu extremists, which all minorities in India face today. Even Badshah Khan’s movement for independence was non-violent in nature. Despite all their differences, his followers pledged loyalty to Pakistan.
The colonialists, like all dictators, resorted to the strategy of “Divide and Rule”, so that natives could not unite on a common platform to wage a united resistance and pose a threat to them. The Raj recruited hundreds of thousands of natives, including Muslims, to fight the Ottoman Caliphate during WW1. These troops were part of the British Indian Army, led by white officers, which laid siege on Jerusalem. It is estimated that over one million Indian troops served overseas and almost 60,000 died during WW1. The Colonial Raj used natives as cannon fodder. After WW1, some of the worst atrocities were committed against the natives of India, including on men who fought for them. When WW2 erupted, the British suffered many losses. Their cities were bombed by the German Luftwaffe and the economy suffered. Winston Churchill, a racist was at the helm. Although born in a Christian family, he did have faith in Jesus Christ’s (PBUH) belief that all men were born equal. Christ was born in Bethlehem which was not inhabited by white men.
Churchill believed in the superiority of white race and considered others as inferior. He discriminated even against Catholics, whom he considered to be inferior in hierarchy than Protestants. He considered men of colour inferior and had no qualms of conscience when over 3Million Bengalis died in 1943 famine, due to malnutrition, as a consequence of essential food diverted to feed the British troops in WW11. The natives who were involved in providing catering during WW11 are morally responsible. In April 1919, over 367 unarmed civilians were killed by firing on orders of British officer Dyer and thousands were wounded. While defending the British plan to settle Jews in Palestine, Churchill stated” I do not admit that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia”. He justified this with his racist beliefs “that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly-wise race, to put it that way, has come in and taken their place”. Even in 2024, this is the logic for justification of ongoing Gaza genocide.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
