Explain the Two-Nation Theory.
Difficulty: Hard
Two-Nation Theory: Origin, Evolution, and Explication:
In the Sub-continent, every individual who embraced Islam associated himself, socially and politically, with the Muslim society and State. Thus, he would break all the previous relationships and link himself to a new social system. On these bases, with time, a separate and unique temperament of the Muslims of India formed. It was entirely different from that of the other Indian nations. This identity formed the basis of the Two-Nation Theory.
In the perspective of the Sub-continent, Two-Nation Theory means that two major nations, the Muslims and the Hindus, were settled there. Two nations were entirely different from each other in their religious ideas, way of living, and collective thinking. Their basic principles and way of living are so different that despite living together for centuries, they could not intermingle with each other. The Indian Muslims fought the war of freedom based on Two-Nation Theory and after accepting this theory as a historical fact two separate states. Pakistan and India came into existence. This Theory is the basis of the Ideology of Pakistan.
As far as the evolution of the Two-Nation Theory is concerned we will evaluate some personalities and their thoughts. These personalities belong to different periods.
Two-Nation Theory and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the first person who used the term “Two-Nation Theory” due to the Hindi Urdu Controversy in Banaras in 1867. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan declared the Muslims a separate nation. He convinced the government that there are at least two nations settled in the Sub-continent. One of them is Muslim and the other is Hindu.
The Muslims are a separate nation in every respect because their civilization, culture language, customs, and philosophy of life are different from those of Hindus. This theory infused a political spirit among the Muslims and provided them with such leadership which gave a new spirit and push to the freedom movement. India was partitioned because of the Two-Nation Theory.
Two-Nation Theory and Allama Muhammad Iqbal (Rahmatullah)
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (Rahmatullah) presented the idea of a separate state for Muslims. He said
“The Muslims would not allow that their religious, political and social rights are usurped. Therefore, I would like to see the Punjab, NWFP (KPK), Sindh and Balochistan put together into a single state.”
Two-Nation Theory and Chaudhary Rehmat Ali:
In January 1933, during his stay in England, Chaudhary Rehmat Ali along with some of his friends published a pamphlet named “Now or Never”. It was also distributed among Indian politicians. In this pamphlet, the name of the separate state for the Muslims was proposed as Pakistan.
Chaudhary Rehmat Ali thought that the Muslims possess a history and civilization of their own and based on these two, their nationality is not Hindustani but Pakistani. He believed that Muslims are a nation that is different from other nations living in India.
Two-Nation Theory and Quaid-e-Azam (Rahmatullah)
Quaid-e-Azam (Rahmatullah) was a firm advocate of the Two-Nation Theory. He gave the Muslims the status of a separate nation in every respect. He said: “Musalmans are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homeland, their territory, and their State.” Pakistan Resolution was passed on the 23rd of March 1940. In his Presidential Address Quaid-e-Azam (Rahmatullah) said:
The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literature. It would be better for the British Government to announce the partition of the Sub-continent by keeping in view the interest of the two nations. It would be the right step religiously as well as historically.
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