Two Nation Theory
Two Nation Theory
Meaning of Two Nation
Theory
The Two Nation theory in its simplest way, means the cultural,
political, religious, economic and social dissimilarities between the two major
communities, Hindus and Muslims of the Sub Continent. These differences of out
look, in fact, were greatly instrumental in giving rise to two distinct
political ideologies which were responsible for the partition of India into two
independent states.
The Basis of the
Creation of Pakistan
The Two nation Theory was the basis of the struggle for creation
of Pakistan which held that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations. They
in spite of living together for centuries could not forget their individual
culture s and civilization. Al - Beruni recorded his ideas in 1001 A.D in his
famous book “Kitab-ul-Hind” as:
“The Hindu society
maintained this peculiar character over the centuries. The two societies,
Hindus and Muslims, like two streams have sometimes touched but never merged,
each following its separate course.”
There are a few factors which split the inhabitants of the Sub
Continent into two nations. Let us examine each of them separately.
1. Religious Differences
The Hindus and Muslims belong to different religions. Islam
preaches Tawheed (oneness of Allah) and believes in equality of man before law.
Muslims are the believers of God, the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), the Holy book
Quran and hold a cohesive approach towards life.
Hinduism, on the other hand is based on the concept of multiple
Gods. Their society follows a caste system and is divided into four classes and
have a very narrow approach towards life.
2. Hindu Nationalism
A number of Hindu nationalist movements, which emerged from time
to time in the Indian history, added fuel to the fire by playing up the tension
and antagonism which already existed between the two communities.
The Hindu nationalist leaders totally ignored the great
contribution made by the Muslims in the Indian society by way of promoting
education and other social activities. Their writings and ideas flared up the
communal discord between Hindus and Muslims to further pollute the political
condition.
3. Cultural Differences
Muslim followed the Islamic culture while Hindus inherited a self
build culture. The Hindus burnt their dead bodies while Muslims burred them.
Hindus considered the ‘Mother cow’ as a sacred animal and worshipped it while
Muslims slaughtered it. They performed ‘Sati’ while Muslims abhorred this
tradition. The Hindus and Muslims do not intermarry nor they inter-dine.
4. Social differences
The two communities of the Sub Continent differ in
their social life as well. The clothes, the foods, the household utensils, the
layout of homes, the words of salutation, the gestures and every thing about
them was different and immediately pointed to their distinctive origin.
5. Economic Differences
After 1857, the Muslim economic was crushed and all trade policies
were framed in such a way so as to detriment the Muslim condition. They were
thrown out of Government services and the their estates and properties were
confiscated, while the Hindus were provided with ample opportunities to
progress economically.
6. Educational Differences
The Hindus had advanced in the educational field because they
quickly and readily took to the English education. While Muslims did not
receive modern education which heavily affected their economic conditions.
7. Political Differences
The political differences between the Hindus and Muslims have
played an important role in the development and evolution of Two Nation Theory.
(i) Hindi Urdu
Controversy
In 1867, Hindus demanded
that Urdu should be written in Hindi Script instead of Persian Script. This
created another gap between Hindus and Muslims.
(ii) Congress
Attitude
The Indian national Congress was founded in 1885. It claimed to
represent all communities of India but oppressed all Muslim ideas and supported
the Hindus.
(iii) Partition
of Bengal
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 partition was annulled in 1911.
8. Language
The Muslim and Hindus wrote and spoke two different
languages. The language of the former was Urdu and it was written in Arabic
Script. On the other hand, the Hindi language was spoken by Hindus and it was
written in Sanskrit. Urdu and Hindi language had the difference in writing,
thoughts of poetry, arts, painting and words of music. Even this small
difference lead to a stirring conflict between the two nations.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan –
The Pioneer of Two Nation Theory
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the pioneer of two nation theory, used the
word ‘two nation’ for Hindus and Muslims after being convinced of the Hindus
and Congress hatred, hostility and prejudice for the Muslims.
The entire freedom movement revolved around the two nation theory
which was introduced by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He considered all those lived in
India as one nation and was a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity. Speaking at
the meeting of Indian Association he said:
“I look to both Hindus
and Muslims with the same eyes and consider them as my own eyes. By the word
‘Nation’ I mean only Hindus and Muslims and nothing else. We, Hindus and
Muslims live together on the same soil under the same government.
Our interests and problems are common, and therefore, I consider the two
factions as one nation.”
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan did his best to make the Muslims realize their
differences with the Hindus with regard to religions, social and language,
rational and international identity and for this purpose he diverted attention
of the Indian Muslims towards a new idea of “Two Nation” or “Two
entities.”
After Hindi-Urdu controversy Sir Syed felt that it was not
possible for Hindus and Muslims to progress as a single nation. He said:
“I am convinced now that
Hindus and Muslims could never become one nation as their religion and way of
life was quite distinct from each other.”
Two Nation Theory in the
View of Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal was the first important figure who propounded the
idea of separate homeland on the basis of two nation theory. He
firmly believed in the separate identity of the Muslims as a nation
and suggested that there would be no possibility of peace in the country unless
and until they were recognized as a nation. In the annual session of Muslim
League at Allahabad in 1930, he said:
“India is a continent of
human beings belonging to different languages and professing different
religions… I, therefore, demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim state in
th e best int e rests of the Muslims of India and Islam.”
Quaid-e-Azam’s Statement
on Two Nation Theory
The most clear and emphatic exposition is found in Jinnah’s
statement and speeches. He expounded the two nation theory in such detail that
most Muslims and even some Hindus came to believe in its truth. He declared:
“Muslims are not a
minority, they are one nation by every definition of the word
nation. By all canons of international law we are a nation.”
Quaid-e-Azam reiterated that Hindus and Muslims could ever evolve
a common nationality was an idle dream. They are a totally different nation.
They have an unbridgeable gulf between them and they stand miles apart in
regards to their ideals, culture and religion.
In 1973, he said:
“Hindustan is neither
one country, nor its inhabitants one nation. This is Sub Continent which
consist of many nations of which the Hindus and Muslims are two major nations.”
Conclusion
The Muslims apprehended that they would lose their identity if
they remained a part of Hindu society. They also came to realize the above
mentioned differences between them and the Hindus and hence demanded separate
electorate on the ground that they were different nation from Hindus.
Hence it is right to say
that this theory i.e two nation theory is the basis of
the creation of Pakistan because without this as a base, Pakistan
would not come into being on 14th August, 1947, and we would
not be breathing freely in this open air of Pakistan.
