Political Events From 1940 to 1947
Political Events From 1940 to 1947
Introduction
The era from 1940 to 1947 is the era of rapid changes. Many
important events in the history of the sub Continent took place. The demand of
Pakistan is the most prominent among them. In the past, the demand of Pakistan
was not raised clearly. It was due to Muslim achievements in this period that
now we are living in a sovereign and independent state. The political events
from Pakistan Resolution to the establishment of Pakistan are summarized under:
1940
23rd March
– Pakistan Resolution
The attitude of the Hindus made it clear that the Hindus and the
Muslims were two separate nations. On March 23rd, at the annual
session of Muslim League at Lahore, the famous resolution, commonly known as
the Pakistan Resolution was passed. It was presented by Maulvi Fazlul Haq. Quaid-e-Azam
said in his address:
“By all means Muslims
are one nation and they need a separate homeland where they could live their
spiritual, cultural, econmical, social and political lives independently.”
8th August
– August Offer
It was proposed to enlarged governor general councils to include
members from political parties. War Advisory Committee was also launched. Both
league and Congress rejected the offer.
1942
12th-15th April
– Civil Disobedience Movement
28th session of League was held at Madras in which
a resolution was adopted on Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Congress.
23rd March
– Cripps Mission
Sir Stafford Cripps was sent by the British Government to India,
to discuss with Indian leaders, the future Indian Constitutions. His proposal
was rejected by both the Congress and the League. The Congress characterized
them as “a post-dated cheque on a failing bank.” Jinnah said that if these were
accepted “Muslims would become a minority in their majority provinces as well.”
8th August
– Quit India
Congress initiated it against British, it was “open rebellion” due
to which many people were killed League raised a slogan of “Divide
and Quit India.”
1943
27th December
– Action Committee
It was formed to prepare and organize Muslims of India for coming
struggle for achievements of Pakistan.
1944
9th September
– Gandhi Jinnah Talks
Gandhi held talks with Jinnah to discuss about the future of
India, but no fruitful results came out of it because Gandhi did not accept
Muslims as a separate nation.
Louis Feisher wrote:
“The wall between Jinnah
and Gandhi was the Two Nation Theory.”
1945
25th June
– Simla Conference
Lord Wavell called a conference at Simla. The conference failed to
achieve any purpose due to one sided attitude of Lord Wavell. In this conference,
Quaid-e-Azam made it crystal clear that the Muslim League can represent Muslims
of India.
2nd December
– General Elections
Elections for the central and provincial assemblies were held in
1945-1946 in which Muslim League won 30 seats of central legislative meant for
Muslims and 430 seats out of 495 in the provincial legislative. Quaid-e-Azam
said on this occasion:
“I have no doubt now in
the acheivement of Pakistan. The Muslims of India told the world what they
want. No power of world can topple the opinion of 10 crore Muslims of India.”
1946
24th March
– Cabinet Mission
Cabinet Mission visited India in 1946 and submitted its
recommendations to the Britishers. As a result Interium Government was formed
but Congress and League couldn’t co-operate amongst themselves.
8th – 9th April
– Delhi Convention
Quaid-e-Azam called a convention of all the Muslim League members
at Delhi. At the convention every member took the pledge to under go any danger
for the attainment of national goal of Pakistan.
16th August
– Direct Action Day
League withdraw its acceptance of Cabinet Mission and Direct
Action Day was observed peacefully throughout India, except in Calcutta, where
riots broke out.
1947
3rd June
– 3rd June Plan
Lord Mount Batten prepared the plan for transference of power
according to the wish of people. He emphasized on the partition of the country
and told that it was the only solution of the Indian political deadlock. Both
League and Congress accepted the plan.
18th July
– Indian Independence Act
In July, the British parliament passed the Indian Independence act
which was enforced promptly. The Muslims of the Sub Continent finally succeeded
in carrying out an independent Islamic State for Muslims.
14th August
– Transfer of Power
The transfer of power ceremony was held in Karachi. On August 15,
Quaid-e-Azam was sworn in as Governor General of Pakistan and Mr. Liaquat Ali
Khan was appointed his Prime Minister.
“That was the
culmination of a long struggle which the Muslims of the South Asian Sub
Continent had weged for a separate homeland in the name of Islam.”
