India, Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam: By Jaswant Singh

[Irfan Baloch]

India, Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam | | DAWN.COM

When I was invited to contribute a piece for Dawn commemorating Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday, I readily agreed, principally because the Quaid, amongst others, moulded the history and geography of our subcontinent.

What then was Jinnah’s dream of ‘after Partition’? What also therefore, of the present state of affairs in Pakistan; or of Indo-Pak relations?

Space does not permit a detailed examination of the full canvas, just a fragment must suffice.

In a press meet on 14 November, 1946, in New Delhi, Jinnah when asked about the future of the ‘communal situation’ in a yet to be born Pakistan, said: “This tension which exists – that one nation is going to rule the other – will cease. These minorities will then settle down as minorities. They will realise minorities can live only as minorities and not as a dominant body’. …then I think you will have really a stable and secure government in Pakistan… Why should there then be a national quarrel?”

He further added: “Unless you say we are reduced to bestiality I do not see any reason why the Muslim(s) in Pakistan should not deal with the minorities in a most generous way”.

Jinnah then also dismissed ‘Pan-Islamism’ as an “exploded bogey” and declared, “whatever others might say, I think that these two states of Pakistan and Hindustan, by virtue of contiguity and mutual interests will be friends in this subcontinent… They will go to each other’s rescue in case of danger and will be able to say ‘hands off’ to other nations. We shall then have a Monroe Doctrine more solid than in America…”. Adding thereafter: “Pakistan and Hindustan alone will mean freedom to both Hindus and Muslims”.

Sounds sadly ironic today, does it not? For this unquestionably was the dream, the hope; reality, alas, has turned out to be so starkly different. The central need, however, has remained constant, in 1947 as now: for a little more understanding, some grater accommodation of the other’s viewpoint; accepting the limitations of imported concepts, notions and transient ‘isms’; for all these have in reality been ground to dust by time; indeed by the very experience of living as neighbours; by failing to respect the dictates of geography, at our own cost.

And here I do wish to share with readers in Pakistan only some portions of a memorable speech that late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad delivered in Jama Masjid, Delhi, on 23 October 1947: He said: “There is no use recounting the events of the past seven years, nor will it serve any good… (This) gloom cast upon (our) lives is momentary; I assure you we can be beaten by none save our own selves. I repeat… again today; eschew… your mistrust… “Where are you going and why? Raise your eyes. The minarets of Jama Masjid… ask you a question. Where have you lost the glorious pages from your chronicles? Was it not only yesterday that on the banks of the Jamuna, your caravans performed wuzu? …Remember, Delhi has been nurtured with your blood. Brothers! Create a basic change in yourselves. Today, your fear is as misplaced as your jubilation was yesterday…”

That is why I add that we are, India and Pakistan are both integral to South Asia, irremediably; as parts of it, though, now not as conjoined twins; and to paraphrase Churchill, “We are linked but not compromised, we are interested and associated” but as separates.

The nature, the structure and the economic context of Pakistan is and will always remain in South Asia; that too is an unalterable dictate of our common history and a united yet separate geography. Neither Pakistan nor India can be a mere spectator to events in this subcontinent, they partner them.

Isn’t that what Jinnah meant when he spoke of the ‘virtue of contiguity’?

–The writer a member of Indian Parliament, former Finance, Defence & External Affairs Minister, and the author of Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence (2009)

India, Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam | | DAWN.COM

 

[thinkingcap81]

We had assumed too much during our struggle for independence. A just fight to oust foreign autocratic presence does not automatically mean that we have exorcised our demons.

It takes time and maturity to 'rise up the ladder'. In a democratic setup it needs a push both from capable leaders and a robust and thinking civil society. Both Pakistan and India have miserably failed to do so.

But i believe that we are getting there --- hopefully not too slowly. The future looks at the present in hope...

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

I respect and admire people like Mr. Singh and Mr. Vajpayee too much both of whom are way more knowledgeable than me when it comes to statecraft and history.

These politicians are the few left who were born before the partition of India and unfortunately they keep us tied down in South Asia. With the newer generation of politicians, India should try to distance itself from Pakistan. World already deals with us separately, we should make sure China too is convinced with the merits of de-hyphenation. There has been progress in Indo China ties but much remains to be done. And Yes, I know the Sino Indian strategic rivalry will continue.

 

[Big Boss]

Mods can i simple ask a genuine question, if u don't kill me for that??????????

What its to do with India defense section??????????

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

Mods can i simple ask a genuine question, if u don't kill me for that??????????

What its to do with India defense section??????????

 

[Bhairava]

Jinnah is quite a complex character. There are different shades to his life which at times are radically different from one another.

He had a brilliant short time strategy, but maybe lacked a long term vision.

 

[Inqhilab]

In last 300 years the worst thing happened to Sub-continent was the British invasion and it is closely followed by Partition of 1947.

we can't accuse only jinnah for partition .Both all india congress and all india muslim league made mistakes and after 1947 Both Jinnah and Nehru regretted Partition .Nehru in his many publice speeches expressed his regret and even jinnah According to his doctor Alex von Tunzelmann in his last days Jinnah saw Liaquat [Ali Khan] and told him that Pakistan was ‘the biggest blunder of my life and If now I get an opportunity, I will go to Delhi and tell Jawahar ji to forget about the follies of the past and become friends again.No doubt many of pakistani friends will find this evidence circumstantial,but during a Pakistan Times sponsored flight to survey of crisis in the Punjab, he held his head in his hands and reputedly remarked, “Oh my God, what have I done?”

 

[PakShah]

India, Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam | | DAWN.COM

When I was invited to contribute a piece for Dawn commemorating Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday, I readily agreed, principally because the Quaid, amongst others, moulded the history and geography of our subcontinent.

What then was Jinnah’s dream of ‘after Partition’? What also therefore, of the present state of affairs in Pakistan; or of Indo-Pak relations?

Space does not permit a detailed examination of the full canvas, just a fragment must suffice.

In a press meet on 14 November, 1946, in New Delhi, Jinnah when asked about the future of the ‘communal situation’ in a yet to be born Pakistan, said: “This tension which exists – that one nation is going to rule the other – will cease. These minorities will then settle down as minorities. They will realise minorities can live only as minorities and not as a dominant body’. …then I think you will have really a stable and secure government in Pakistan… Why should there then be a national quarrel?”

He further added: “Unless you say we are reduced to bestiality I do not see any reason why the Muslim(s) in Pakistan should not deal with the minorities in a most generous way”.

Jinnah then also dismissed ‘Pan-Islamism’ as an “exploded bogey” and declared, “whatever others might say, I think that these two states of Pakistan and Hindustan, by virtue of contiguity and mutual interests will be friends in this subcontinent… They will go to each other’s rescue in case of danger and will be able to say ‘hands off’ to other nations. We shall then have a Monroe Doctrine more solid than in America…”. Adding thereafter: “Pakistan and Hindustan alone will mean freedom to both Hindus and Muslims”.

Sounds sadly ironic today, does it not? For this unquestionably was the dream, the hope; reality, alas, has turned out to be so starkly different. The central need, however, has remained constant, in 1947 as now: for a little more understanding, some grater accommodation of the other’s viewpoint; accepting the limitations of imported concepts, notions and transient ‘isms’; for all these have in reality been ground to dust by time; indeed by the very experience of living as neighbours; by failing to respect the dictates of geography, at our own cost.

And here I do wish to share with readers in Pakistan only some portions of a memorable speech that late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad delivered in Jama Masjid, Delhi, on 23 October 1947: He said: “There is no use recounting the events of the past seven years, nor will it serve any good… (This) gloom cast upon (our) lives is momentary; I assure you we can be beaten by none save our own selves. I repeat… again today; eschew… your mistrust… “Where are you going and why? Raise your eyes. The minarets of Jama Masjid… ask you a question. Where have you lost the glorious pages from your chronicles? Was it not only yesterday that on the banks of the Jamuna, your caravans performed wuzu? …Remember, Delhi has been nurtured with your blood. Brothers! Create a basic change in yourselves. Today, your fear is as misplaced as your jubilation was yesterday…”

That is why I add that we are, India and Pakistan are both integral to South Asia, irremediably; as parts of it, though, now not as conjoined twins; and to paraphrase Churchill, “We are linked but not compromised, we are interested and associated” but as separates.

The nature, the structure and the economic context of Pakistan is and will always remain in South Asia; that too is an unalterable dictate of our common history and a united yet separate geography. Neither Pakistan nor India can be a mere spectator to events in this subcontinent, they partner them.

Isn’t that what Jinnah meant when he spoke of the ‘virtue of contiguity’?

–The writer a member of Indian Parliament, former Finance, Defence & External Affairs Minister, and the author of Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence (2009)

India, Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam | | DAWN.COM

This article is just merely a propaganda piece from a BJP member.

There were many practicing Muslims who supported the creation of Pakistan like Chaudry Niaz Ali Khan, Chaudry Rehmat Ali, Muhammad Asad. These people were great Muslims. Insh'Allah they will be granted Jannah for their good work.

Chaudry Niaz Ali Khan

Chaudry Rehmat Ali

Muhammad Asad

I disagree with Jaswant Singh on many issues. First of all I believe Pakistan is more connected to Afghanistan.

Insh'Allah the differences between Pakistan and India will grow as time passes by.

 

[asad71]

1. Jaswant Singh is a Rajput. Various ethnic/cultural groups in India think differently, and look at Muslims differently. The Rajputs are a warrior community. They are honorable people. Rajputs have always interacted well with the Muslims.

2. Jaswant Singh is first a soldier, and then a politician. A retired Artillery officer, he talks straight. But in India such people are sidelined soon.

 

[STEELMAN]

This article is just merely a propaganda piece from a BJP member.

There were many practicing Muslims who supported the creation of Pakistan like Chaudry Niaz Ali Khan, Chaudry Rehmat Ali, Muhammad Asad. These people were great Muslims. Insh'Allah they will be granted Jannah for their good work.

Chaudry Niaz Ali Khan

Chaudry Rehmat Ali

Muhammad Asad

I disagree with Jaswant Singh on many issues. First of all I believe Pakistan is more connected to Afghanistan.

Insh'Allah the differences between Pakistan and India will grow as time passes by.

Out of three photos two are chaudhary and still u r saying Pakistan is more close to Afghanistan.

 

[Baby Leone]

hmmm dont know abt Founder of india But Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan where people live freely (especially Muslims) & can follow their religion without any fear tht is the reason tht still Pakistan have arround 9 million non muslim proud Pakistanis,
& he want 100% literacy rate withing few years of independance , unfortunetely politicians for their own wastage intrests didnt do tht nor they are doing it now...

 

[Big Boss]

hmmm dont know abt Founder of india But Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan where people live freely (especially Muslims) & can follow their religion without any fear tht is the reason tht still Pakistan have arround 9 million non muslim proud Pakistanis,
& he want 100% literacy rate withing few years of independance , unfortunetely politicians for their own wastage intrests didnt do tht nor they are doing it now...

That secular was flawed when a nation is based on the flawed 2 nation theory as proved in 1971 be liberation of Bangladesh and if a person calls for a direct action can't be secular.

As you have said that "he want 100% literacy rate withing few years of independence" then its a big joke as its proved fact the the pakistan (the area partitioned with India) was the most backward in terms of letrasy and it was the muhajirs who were the most literates among them so it was not possible to achieve 100% in literacy in few years at all.

And for ur information even developed countries like USA or Japan don't have 100% literary rate EVEN ON THIS DAY even developing nation like china don't have 100% its figure is 95% that too in 2011.

So if ur correct and jinnah was saying that 100% literary was possible in few years of independence then he have mislead you people. big time.

 

[Baby Leone]

That secular was flawed when a nation is based on the flawed 2 nation theory as proved in 1971 be liberation of Bangladesh and if a person calls for a direct action can't be secular.

As you have said that "he want 100% literacy rate withing few years of independence" then its a big joke as its proved fact the the pakistan (the area partitioned with India) was the most backward in terms of letrasy and it was the muhajirs who were the most literates among them so it was not possible to achieve 100% in literacy in few years at all.

And for ur information even developed countries like USA or Japan don't have 100% literary rate EVEN ON THIS DAY even developing nation like china don't have 100% its figure is 95% that too in 2011.

So if ur correct and jinnah was saying that 100% literary was possible in few years of independence then he have mislead you people. big time.

dont act like a typical illetrate indian when we kno u r..

for nations few years doesnt mean 1 or two years even a decade is enough to increase literacy rate to a respectable level plus two nation tehory doesnt say tht muslims cannt live with peace ful & progressive minority so before poking nose use ur skull if it is not empty...

 

[PakShah]

Out of three photos two are chaudhary and still u r saying Pakistan is more close to Afghanistan.

There are many more members:

Maulana Muhammad Ali Jouhar

Mohsin-ul-Mulk

Like I said before, most of the people in the All India Muslim were practicing Muslims.

 

[STEELMAN]

hmmm dont know abt Founder of india But Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan where people live freely (especially Muslims) & can follow their religion without any fear tht is the reason tht still Pakistan have arround 9 million non muslim proud Pakistanis,
& he want 100% literacy rate withing few years of independance , unfortunetely politicians for their own wastage intrests didnt do tht nor they are doing it now...

Do you think using Secular word is appropriate.I think your fellow Pakistani members will not have the same view.

Pakistan was created with the ideology that Muslims and hindus can not leave together.

If you use Secular whole idea behind Two nation theory will be ruled out.

 

[rds1207]