Lahore resolution

1. Lahore Resolution

2. • In order to protect their political, social and religious
rights they first demanded for separate electorates.
However, due to the political developments that took
place in the country they realized that even the right
of separate electorates would not be enough and they
had to search for some other long term solution.

3. • League demanded independence as Congress also
demanded independence of India, Transfer of Power
and establishment of Constituent Assembly.
• Sind Assembly had already passed a resolution for
establishment of a separate state.
• Annual session of Muslim League held in Lahore
in1940 and thousands of muslims participated in the
session.

4. • With the clarity of mind and backing of the
Muslim community behind him, Quaid-i-Azam
called for the 27th annual session of All India
Muslim League to be held from March 22 to 24,
1940 at Lahore.
• Overwhelming support from the Muslim masses
for his call to celebrate Day of Deliverance on
December 22, 1939 was actually a vote of
confidence given by the Muslim Community in
the leadership of Jinnah, whom they by then had
started considering as their Quaid-i-Azam.

5. • The venue of the session was Minto Park near
Badshahi Masjid and Lahore Fort.
• Maulvi Fazal-ul-Haq presented a resolution about a
Separate State for Muslim of India.
• Resolution was passed unanimously by participants
and was named “Lahore Resolution”.

6. • Resolution was about establishment of separate
States for Muslims of India comprising of Punjab,
Sind, NWFP and Baluchistan in North West and of
Bengal and Assam in Eastern India, where they can
live with peace and harmony practicing their religious
rites.

7. • “Hindus and the Muslims belong to two
different religious philosophies, social customs
and literature. They neither inter-marry nor
inter-dine together, and, indeed, they belong to
two different civilizations that are based
mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions.
Their concepts on life and of life are different.”

8. • “Very often the hero of one is a foe of the
other, and likewise, their victories and defeats
overlap. To yoke together two such nations
under a single state, one as a numerical
minority and the other as a majority, must lead
to growing discontent and final destruction of
any fabric that may be so built up for the
government of such a state.”

9. Reaction
• The Hindu reaction was, of course, quick, bitter and
malicious. They called the “Pakistan” demand “anti-
national.” They characterized it as “vivisection; above
all, it was inspired to obstruct India’s march to
freedom.
• Gandhi declared it a sin and morally illness of
Muslim League.

10. • They also failed to take cognizance of the fact that a
hundred million Muslims were now supremely
conscious of their distinct nationhood and were
prepared to stake everything to actualize their self-
perceived destiny – the creation of an independent
Muslim state in the sub-continent.

11. Impacts on Politics
• Enhancement of prestige of Muslim League .
• Unity among Muslims.
• Change of Government attitude .
• No change of Constitution without consent of
Muslims.

12. • Equal representation of Muslims in Executive
Council.
• Muslim Nationalism.
• Strengthen the concept of two different nations.
• Gave impetus to freedom movement.

13. Conclusion
• The All India Muslim League Resolution of March 1940,
commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution, is
undoubtedly the most important event that changed the
course of Indian history and left deep marks on the world
history. With the passage of this Resolution, the Muslims
of the sub-continent changed their demand from
“Separate Electorates” to a “Separate State.”

14. • It gave new energy and courage to the Muslims of the region
who gathered around Quaid-i-Azam from the platform of the
Muslim League to struggle for their freedom.
• The dynamic leadership of the Quaid and the commitment and
devotion of the followers made it possible for them to achieve
an independent state within seven years of their struggle, and
that too when the odds were against them.

15. Elections-1945
• With the failure of the Simla Conference, Lord
Wavell announced that the elections of central and
provincial legislature would be held in the winter of
1945 and after the elections a constitution making
body would be set up.

16. • Both Muslim League and Congress rose opposite
slogans during their campaign. Muslim League
presented one point manifesto; if you want Pakistan
vote for Muslim League. Congress on the other hand
stood for United India.
• Quaid-i-Azam himself toured the length and breadth
of India and tried to bridge up all the factions of the
Muslim community under the banner of Muslim
League.

17. • Elections held according to Wavell Plan.
• Muslim League’s stand :
– Sole representative of Muslims of India
– Goal is Pakistan
• Congress’s stand :
– Representative of all Indians
– Independence of India

18. • Central legislature elections in December 1945 :
– Muslim League won all 30 Muslim seats
– Congress won total of 57 seats
• Provincial elections in February 1946.
• Muslim League won most of the seats.
– 75/86 in Punjab, four joined later on
– 113/119 in Bengal
– 28/35 in Sind
– 17/38 in N.W.F.P

19. • League celebrated January 11, 1946 as the Day of
victory and declared that the election results were
enough to prove that Muslim League under the
leadership of Quaid-i-Azam was the sole
representative of the Muslims of the region.

20. Cabinet Mission March 1946
• Britain's Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced
on February 19, 1946 the dispatch of the Mission of
three Cabinet Ministers - the Secretary of State for
India, Pethic Lawrence, President of the Board of
Trade, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. The
announcement was accompanied by a statement of
the terms of reference of the Mission "to promote in
conjunction with the leaders of Indian opinion, the
early realization of full self-Government in India."

21. • Major points :
• Union of India comprising British India and Princely states.
• Three groups of provinces:
A- 6 hindu majority provinces
B- Punjab, NWFP, Sind, Balochistan
C- Bengal and Assam
• Provinces and states to be the basic unit and residuary
powers with provinces.

22. • Congress declared it as an ‘appeal and an advice’
• And demanded transfer of power to Hindu dominated
legislature.
• Muslim League accepted the long term and short term
plan and will join the constitution making body.

23. 3rd June Plan 1947
• The last Viceroy of India Mountbatten worked out a
partition plan.
• Congress and Muslim League accepted the partition plan.
• The plan got approval of British government.
• According to it states shall be free to join either state.
• Boundary commission will be set up under Radcliffe to
divide Bengal and Assam.

24. • Military assets will be divided among the two
countries.
• The states shall make their own constitution.
• On July 4, the Viceroy announced ‘Independence Act
of 1947’.
• Finally the power was transferred to both the states.
• Consequently Pakistan emerged as independent state
on 14 August 1947.