ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
A day off at national level on 23rd March without understanding its historical context would be highly unfair. Partition of sub-continent or creation of Pakistan as an independent state in 1947 became the logical forward reference to the Lahore Resolution passed in the grand meeting of All India Muslim League in March 1940 . This historical meeting was presided by none other than the Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the resolution was presented by Sher –e- Bangal Molvi Fazal ul Haq . Significance of the resolution can only be comprehended in the historical back reference of the resolution. This historical linkage takes us back to Allah Abad where the Great Philosopher, thinker and Poet of the East Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal addressed the meeting of All India Muslim League . In reality , Iqbal’s address at Allah Abad was the game changer in the sub – continent , chained with the British rule in those days . For the Muslims of sub-continent , chains were double . First, obviously was the overt British rule! And second, was the covert Extremist Hindu majority infected with centuries old incurable anti-Muslim prejudices. Freedom of India from British Rule meant a lot for the Congress which falsely projected herself as the sole representative of all communities of India . In reality Congress under the cunning leadership of Nehru and Gandhi Ji was looking for the rise of Ram Rajia as the rolling back of British rule appeared to them like a Kick Off moment for the implementation of Hindutva ideology. Luckily, sane minds on Muslim side could precisely explore the real extremist face by looking behind the secular cum democratic mask of the congress . Signs of bleak future were constantly adding to the worries of the Muslims of Sub-continent. Jinnah’s open dissent and disassociation from congress after failure of his sincere efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity further stamped the worries. More disappointing development was the shifting of Jinnah to England after being dejected from the principle less politics. Dilemma for the Muslims was that almost everyone knew about what was coming to them in future but none could present a cogent way forward to deal with the crisis. We the Muslims of sub-content should thank ALMIGHTY ALLAH for being blessed with a super gifted figure like Allama Iqbal who eventually showed us the path in those dark days . Allah Abad address can be rightly termed as the first occasion when a perfect solution came up for the oppressed Muslims on the political canvas of sub-continent . It was neither a sentimental slogan nor a vague idea ! Superior wisdom of great Iqbal was visible in every word of the Allah Abad address which offered a perfect road map of political autonomy for the Muslims . Broadly , Iqbal came out with an idea of establishing Muslim autonomous state in those areas where the Muslims are in majority . What Iqbal presented at Allah Abad was all in compatibility with the principles of modern politics . Fog of fear and uncertainty was replaced with the positive wind of hope and determination . Subsequently in almost seven years , All India Muslim League demanded separate independent Muslim state in 1940 through Lahore Resolution . This historic resolution was reproduction of Iqbal’s vision after due political evolutionary process . It was Iqbal who later convinced Jinnah to rejoin the arena for the greater Muslim cause . Lahore Resolution ultimately set a course for the Muslims towards freedom which eventually resulted in the creation of Pakistan . We should not indulge in time wasting debates that why and how the Lahore resolution was renamed as Pakistan resolution ? But at the same time we must not lose sight from the factors which pushed the Muslims of sub-continent on the path of an independent state beyond the constitutional frame work of United India . Our new generations are required to be sufficiently equipped to counter the ‘Intellectual Jugglery’ of so called liberal cum secular elements who bluff the audience by labelling Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as liberal or secular. Creation of Pakistan is an undeniable reality . Iqbal’s vision and Jinnah’s uncompromising leadership requires no further endorsement from any hybrid intellectuals who try to convert a settled issue into a controversy or dispute . Our youth should be able to differentiate between jugglery and true intellectual discourse. Merely , a day off can not repay the debt of sacrifices made by our ancestors on the thorny path of freedom . 23rd March reminds about the Lahore resolution and Allah Abad address . These events click the picture of Jinnah and Iqbal in our brain computers . Before chanting a slogan for Pakistan , we should recall that why a separate independent state was demanded by our elders ? For whom this state was demanded ? Lahore Resolution and Allah Abad address revolve around the Two nation theory according to which the Muslims are a separate nation by all standards of culture , civilization , history and customs . Any body having a doubt should go through the both documents and speeches of Jinnah at multiple occasions ! This 23rd March should be taken as a day to educate our youth about the ideological historical context of creation of Pakistan . Otherwise , Jugglers with in the mask of intellectualism can always distort the reality by twisting the historical facts.
