Arshad Ali Lecturer Pakistan Studies GPGC Charsadda

FACTORS LEADING TO MUSLIM SEPARATION

INTRODUCTION:

There are many factors which led the Muslims from Hindus towards separation. But we will
discuss the most prominent factors of Muslims separatism.

1: Negative role of Hindus in 1857 war of independence:

The war of independence 1857 was indeed a great test case of Indians. Had the Hindus
participated in it the manner, the Muslim fought it; breaking the chains of the British
imperialism in India was possible in 1857. But Alas! Submissive Hindus converted this
possibility into impossibility.

2: The Hindi-Urdu Controversy:

In 1867, the Hindus demanded that Urdu should be written in Hindi script. This also
created gap between Hindus and Muslims.
3: Partition of Bengal and Role of Hindus:
In 1905, the partition of Bengal ensured a number of political benefits for the Muslims
but the Hindus launched an agitation against the partition and it was annulled in 1911,
which conveyed to the Muslims the Hindus design of domination over the whole of India.

4: Withdrawal of Support by Gandhi during Khilafat Movement:

During Khilafat movement (1919-1922) Hindu-Muslim unity was at its peak. Gandhi
sided with the Muslims and went on an extensive tour of the country to rally the people
behind Khilafat cause. On February 5, 1922 police fired on unarmed protesters in the
village of Chauri Chura. In retaliation 22 policemen were burnt. Terming this act as an
end to non-violence, Gandhi called off his non-cooperation movement leaving the
Khilafat cause and Muslims in the lurch.
5: Rejection of Muslims demands in Nehru report:
a) One third 1/3 representation for the Muslims in the central legislature.
b) Residuary powers should be given to the provinces.
c) Muslims of Punjab and Bengal should be represented on the basis of population for
the ten years at least.
6: Atrocities of congress ministries (1937-1939):
a) Communal Riots:
Organized attempts were made on the honor, property and lives of the Muslims by
indulging in the communal and religious feuds. The Hindus got the license to kill,
dishonor and plunder the Muslims.
b) Band-e -Mataram:
 A song on which degrading verses were used against the Muslims and Islam. It was
introduced in offices and institutions. The Quai-e-Azam had publicly described Band-
e-Mataram as an idolatrous song and extremist Hind movement, as an attack on the
Muslim civilization.
c) Wardha scheme:
It was an educational scheme of Gandhi. It was bent upon injecting the political
ideas of the congress into the minds of Muslim children.
d) Hoisting of three-colored flag:
It hoisted with Union Jack of Britain to prove that there were only two powers in
India- the British and the congress.
e) Vidya Mandar scheme:
This was an educational policy, bent upon converting the non-Hindus and erasing
their separate cultural identity. It was compulsory to bow before Gandhi`s picture in
school assemblies and sing hymns in his praise.
f) Mass contact Movement:
They started `Muslims mass contact` movement to defame the Muslim league in
their favor. It was an attempt to win the Muslims over to the congress and to reduce
the vote bank of the league.
g) Extermination of Urdu:
The Congress had adopted the kill-Urdu policy, because Gandhi who was its spiritual
mentor had once remarked that.
“Urdu was the religious language of the Muslims and since it was also written in
the Quranic script, therefore, only the Muslims could take the responsibility of
keeping it alive.”

f) Ban on slaughter cow:

Ban on slaughter of cow, forbidding Azan, insistence of noisy processions before

Masjids during prayer times and attack on the worshippers in the Masjids was the order
of the day. Village wells were denied to the Muslims. (the Muslims were considered as
Maleech).

The followed policies of discrimination in services or new recruitment for jobs. Official
intervention was always biased in favor of the Hindus. They promoted the Hindu culture
and symbols in the name of Indian culture. According to I.H Qureshi;

“Slowly but relentlessly the Congress was forcing the Muslims of India into
separation.”

The congress ministries adopted overall negative and cruel attitude especially towards
Muslims. This unjust treatment compelled the Muslims towards separation. The Muslim
league undefined its position and eradicated their organization weaknesses. There is a
group of scholars both in India and Pakistan that Muslim separation and creation of
Pakistan was due to the cruel policies of Congress and particularly of Jawaharlal Nehru,
Jaswant Singh, the external minister of India made Nehru and congress responsible for
partition.