The Role of Quaid-e-Azam
The Role of Quaid-e-Azam
Prelude
The services and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali
Jinnah in the Pakistan Movement need no introduction. In this movement, the
personality of Quaid-e-Azam and his immense struggle made the tough pall of the
foundation of Pakistan easy and finally, the Muslims of India were successful
in reading their destination for which they underwent a long journey under the
Quaid.
The Services of
Quaid-e-Azam
1. Politics
During his stay in London, Mohammad Ali Jinnah thoroughly studied
the British Parliament. He also remained the private secretary of Dadabhoy
Noorogi. He became the member of Indian National Congress in 1906 till 1909.
Due to these activities his political understanding and his abilities in law
had become a universal truth. Therefore, when the elections of Legislative
council took place under Minto-Morley Reforms, so the Quaid-e-Azam become the
member of Council from Bombay. This was Quaid-e-Azam’s first step in politics.
2. Ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity
Quaid-e-Azam was called the “Ambassador of Hindu Muslim
Unity because he thought it was important for the independence of
Sub Continent that there is complete unity among the Muslims and Hindus. In
1913, when he became the member of Muslim League, he made hectic efforts for
this unity.
3. Lucknow Pact
In 1916, the joint session of the Muslim League and Congress was
held in Lucknow. On this historical occasion, an agreement was signed between
the Muslims and Hindus leaders which could lay the foundation of
Hindu Muslim unity, this agreement is known as Lucknow Pact. The man who was
behind this was Quaid-e-Azam.
4. Quaid-e-Azam’s Fourteen Points
In 1928, Pundit Moti Lal Nehru, presented a report which turned
down all the Muslims demand. On the reply of Nehru report, Quaid-e-Azam made a
chart of minimum demands of Muslims and it was known as Quaid-e-Azam’s
Fourteen Points.” This was the certainly the right answer to the
Nehru report.
5. Presidentship of Muslim League
In 1933, Quaid-e-Azam was elected as the permanent President of
Muslim League due to which he permanently came back to India in October 1935
and remained busy in the reconstruction of Muslim League.
6. Government of India Act (1935) and Elections of
1937
Quaid-e-Azam made some speeches in favour of Government of India
Act (1935), due to which the British Government accepted this Act. According to
Indian Act the provincial elections were scheduled in 1935. Quaid-e-Azam
travelled throughout the country for the elections campaign so that he could
unite the Muslims opinion but his efforts did not proved to be successful. The
Muslims suffered defeat even in Muslim majority areas. However, Quaid-e-Azam
remained hard as rock during these difficult times.
7. Popularity of League and Jinnah
When the Muslims of majority provinces observed the rational
attitude of the Congress, they tried to make the Muslim League effective and influential.
Therefore, Punjab, Bengal and Sindh became near to Jinnah and the Muslims of
these areas decided to work under the Muslim League.
8. Pakistan Resolution
On 23rd March, 1940, the historical session of the
Muslim League was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Jinnah at Minto Park,
Lahore. At this historical occasion a resolution known as Pakistan Resolution
was passed in which the Muslims demanded for the first separate independent
homeland.
9. Jinnah – Gandhi Talks (1944)
Gandhi held talks with Jinnah to discuss about the future of
India, but no fruitful results came out of it because Gandhi did not accept
Muslims as a separate nation.
Louis Feisher wrote:
“The wall between Jinnah
and Gandhi was the Two Nation Theory.”
10. Simla Conference - 1945
Lord Wavell called a conference at Simla. The conference failed to
achieve any purpose due to one-sided attitude of Lord Wavell. In this
conference, Quaid-e-Azam made it crystal clear that only the Muslim League can
represent Muslims of India.
11. General Elections – 1945 -1946
Elections for the central and provincial assemblies were held in
1945-1946 in which Muslim League won 30 seats of central legislative meant for
Muslims and 430 seats out of 495 in the provincial legislative. Quaid-e-Azam
said on this occasion:
“I have no doubt now in
the acheivement of Pakistan. The Muslims of India told the world what they
want. No power of world can topple the opinion of 10 crore Muslims of India.”
12. Formation of Pakistan
On 14th August, 1947, Pakistan came into being as
a separate self-governing Dominion and the Quaid-e-Azam became the first
Governor General of Pakistan.
13. Problems of Pakistan and Jinnah
The problems which the Quaid-e-Azam had to face as Governor General
of Pakistan were not only due to the happenings in East Punjab, and to provide
shelter for the millions of refugees. What immensely increased the difficulties
of the new state was the fact that it had yet to organize itself.
Death of the Great
Leader
It was due to immense
hard work for the Muslims that his health failed. The great leader breathed his
last on the 11th September 1948 and was buried at Karachi. His
demise was mourned not only by Pakistan but by the whole world.