Ch#2 : Making Of Pakistan Long Qs

Question 1

Narrate the main points of the 3rd June plan of 1947.

Answer 1

The government made the decision to partition the sub continent. Acknowledging the principle stand of the establishment of the two states. The government settled the details and developed the programme regarding the future of various provinces and states.

1. The Punjab and Bengal Province: The provincial legislative assemblies of Punjab and Bengal were to meet in two groups.i.e Muslim majority districts and non Muslim majority districts. The members of the two parts of each legislative assembly will empowered tk vote whether or not the province should be partitioned. If any of the two decided in the favor of partition , the Governor General would appoint a boundary commission to demarcate the provinces.
2. The North-Western Frontier Province: a referendum would be held in the North Western Frontier Province to acertain if they wishes to join Pakistan or not. The political issues of the Tribal Areas would be settled by the government formed after the referendum.The Governor General would conduct the referendum himself and for this purpose , he would have the co-operation of the Provincial Government.
3. Sindh : The Sindh Assembly would decide the future state of the province by the majority of vote.It would be decided if the provinced wished to join Pakistan or India. The European members of the Sindh Assembly would not have the right to vote.
4. Balochistan: Balochistan had not been given the status of province till then. According to the plan , the opinion of the Quetta Municipality and Shahi Jirga would be sought.The official members would not be included in the voting.
5. District Sylhet : The district of Sylhet in Assam had Muslim majority. According to the plan , it was decided to hold referendum in Sylhet. The referendum would be conducted after the partition of Bengal into two parts. If the majority of the people decided to join East Bengal , they would be a part of Pakistan.
6. Non-Muslim majority provinces : The whole of Assam excluding Sylhet would become part of India. Likewise , Bihar , Orissa , U.P , C.P , Bombay and Madras would be included in India.
7. Princely States: There were 635 such states in the sub continent ruled by nawabs or rajas. Some important princely states include Jammu , Kashmir , Kapurthala , Bikaner , Hydrabad , Decan , Sawat , Dir , Patiala , Bahawalpur and Junagarh.These states were also given the option to make their choice and decide their future.

Question 2

Describe the background of the Pakistan Resolution , its basic points and the reaction of the Hindus at the approval of this resolution.

Answer 2

The muslims wanted to secure themselves against Hinduism. The Hindu parties were making demand for Ram Raj. Hinduism was constantly trying to merge islam into itself like other issues. If the united sub continent got freedom , it would have been a permanent form of Hindu Authority because the modern democratic system believes in majority government. It was a must to get rid of the dominance of the Hindus and it was only possible by partitioning the sub continent.

1. Muslim blood was shed mericilessly in sectarian riots despite the presence of British rule.
2. The muslims were given a lower status in society. They could not lead a dignified and graceful life in the Hindu society which believes in the caste system. They could never agree to give us equal status.
3. In the second half of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century , the hindus continued their attempts to wipe out muslim language , culture and civilization. It seemed clear that if India got freedom as a single country , the language , culture and civilization of the muslims would always be in danger.
4. In different periods , different visionaries gave signs about the partition of the sub continent but Dr Allama Iqbal while presiding over the All India Muslim League Session in 1930 presented the plan in a forceful and argumentative manner. Chaudry Rehmat Ali prepared a phamplet “Now or Never” and distributed it among the participants of the 3rd round table conference.
5. The muslims wanted to establish a state in the name of Islam where they could lead their individual and collective lives in accordance with the principles of islam.
6. Sindh Muslim League passed a resolution in favor of partition.
7. In 1940 , Quaid-e-Azam got the resolution passed and formed it as the demand of the millat.

Text of the Resolution : The resolution declared : “No constitutional plan would be workable or acceptable to the Muslims unless geographical contigious units are demarcated into regions which should be constitued with such territorial adjustments as may be necessary.That the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a majority as in the North-Western and Eastern zones of India should be grouped together to constitute states in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign. It further reads that “ That adequate , effective and mandatory safeguards shall be specifically provided for the minorities in the units and in the regions for the protection of their religions , cultural , economic , political and administrative and other rights of the minorites , with their consultation. Arrangements thus shall be made for the security of Muslims where they are in a minority.” “

Reaction to the resolution :
1. The Hindu leader began to express their views against the resolution.The resolution was ridiculed. Gandhi and Hindus opposed it absolutely. The All India Muslim League named it “Lahore Resolution” but the Hindu Press ridiculously began calling it the “Pakistan Resolution” . The Muslim Leage adopted the term and today it is called the Pakistan Resolution.

2. The British press called it the “Resolution or Pakistan of Jinnah”. The Hindu Newspapers such as “The Hindustan times” , “Modern Review” and “Amrita Bazar Patrika” wrote editorials against partition.
   The Hindus were of the view that the plan of partition would be rejected. But the muslims of the sub continent had decided their future. As a result of their struggle , Pakistan was formed 7 years later.

Question 3

Write the salient features of the Cabinet Mission plan.

Answer 3

Proposals of the Cabinet Mission:
The members of the cabinet mission met the political leaders of all the parties to find out their views but they could not reach any result. On 16th May 1946 , the members of the cabinet mission announced a plan of their own. The salient features of their plans are as follows.

1. A Sub-continent , A nation:
   The Sub-continent should be a union consisting of many provinces and several states. A federation should be formed. The union should deal with subjects of defense , foreign affairs and communication. The union should have the powers to raise the finances required for the above subjects. All the subjects other than the union subjects shall be vest with the provinces.
2. Grouping of Provinces :
   The provinces of India were to form 3 groups.
   Group A : Hindu Majority provinces of Madras , Bombay , U.P , C.ap , Bihar and Orissa.
   Group B : Muslim majority provinces such as Punjab , Sindh , Balochistan and North-western frontier province.
   Group C: Bengal and Assam.
   It should be a Union of a new nation forming central organization.Provincial Organization and Group Organization. The powers of the Union and provinces were explained in the proposals of the Cabinet Mission but as far as the distribution of powers between the Provinced and Group organizations was concerned , it was said that these will be decided by the provincial and group organizations themselves. The provinces and states will be given seats in the Central Legislature as well as in the cabinet on the basis of their population.Keeping in view the propertion of population , each province will be given representation.
3. Elections of the Central Legislature:
   The members of the Provincial Assemblies will elect the Central Legislature. The Central Legislature will frame the constitution for the whole country. After the central constitution is framed , all three provincial groups will prepare their own constitutions.
4. Interim Government :
   An Interim Government would be set up immediately. This government will run the system until the constitution is framed. The Interim Government will consist of the representatives of major parties. All the ministers in the Interim Government will be local. No British will be included in the cabinet. The cabinet will have autonomy in administrative affairs. After the central constitution is framed , any province could change its group if thought necessary. Every province will be empowered to join a group of its own choice.
5. Seperation from Union :
   If one or two provinces from the three groups of provinces decide to seperate from the Union , they could do so but only after ten years. This point granted the right to the Muslim Majority areas of Group B and C to make Pakistan after ten years. Thus , the process of partition will complete automatically.
6. Veto Power :
   To appease and calm down the Congress , a point was added to the proposals made by the Commission that if a political party dislikes the proposals given by the Cabinet Mission , it can veto it. However , the right to join the Interim Government will be given only to the political party which accepts the proposals. They thought that as the demand of the Muslim League’s “Pakistan” is not being acceptes , so it will reject the proposals and thus the congress will approve the Cabinet Mission Plan alone to form an Interim Government..