BACKGROUND
Muslim League was created because the Muslims had to bear the oppression and torture of the Britishers due to their lack of organization and unity. The Muslims were bound to have a well-established organization to avoid British pressure in the future.
PREFACE
After the War of Independence, establishing the Indian National Congress was perhaps the first step that indulged the Indians in political affairs. Due to the differences and enmity with the Hindus, the Muslims did not join the National Congress.
CAUSES OF ESTABLISHMENT
Some reasons paved the way for establishing the All-India Muslim League.
- Negative policies of Congress
- Urdu Hindi Controversy
- Two Nations Theory
- Partition of Bengal
- Simla Deputation Success
- Hostility of Hindus
- Mistrust in Congress
- Social Conditions
1. NEGATIVE POLICIES OF THE CONGRESS
Indian National Congress indulged in such policies and put forward demands that were likely to damage the interest of the Muslims badly. For instance, the propagation of One Indian Nation’s demands for democracy and competitive examination was against the Muslims’ interest.
2. URDU-HINDI CONTROVERSY
Although the Urdu language developed during the Muslim rule in the Subcontinent, it had become a national language with time. However, after the downfall of the Muslim political rule, the Hindus launched a movement to replace Urdu with Hindi. Thus, Hindu’s hostility toward the Urdu language would surely give birth to the restoration.
3. TWO NATIONS THEORY
Despite the centuries-old cooperation between the Muslims and Hindus, the Muslims could not be bridged. The Muslims were a distinct nation; therefore, a Hindu body could not reflect and protest the interests of the Muslims. Strengthening the belief that the Mustuns are a separate nation, it had become an absolute necessity to establish a Muslim Organization to meet the challenges and threats of the Indian National Congress.
4. PARTITION OF BENGAL
Bengal was partitioned into two parts in 1905. This British govt Decision had given new hope to the Muslims of Bengal for their progress and prosperity. The Hindus could not appreciate any decision resulting in the capital of the Muslims. Thus, the Hindus launched a campaign against the partition of Bengal with the slogan, “Hindustan is for the Hindu”.
5. SIMLA DEPUTATION SUCCESS
In this meeting, the Muslims put some demands on the ruler, such as a separate electorate. Reservation of seats for Muslims in Government offices, etc. The representative gave a very favourable response to the Muslim’s demands. However, the British government could not be persuaded or forced to accept the Muslim’s requests without enhancing unity among the Muslims. So, the success of Simia’s deputation made establishing the Muslim League an absolute necessity.
6. HOSTILITY OF THE HINDUS
Incidents like the Hindu controversy and the partition of Bengal had envisaged an increasingly hostile and tolerant Hindu community.
7. MISTRUST IN THE CONGRESS
Though claiming all Indian representation, the Indian National Congress had openly sided with the Hindus during all episodes of Social conflict and the Bengal partition, leading to the Two-Nation Theory.
8. SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Socially and economically, the Muslims were a backward class. Unless they had a platform of their own, they would go into oblivion and not flourish before the advancement and sophistication of the Hindus.
FORMATION OF MUSLIM LEAGUE
On October 24, 1906, Sir Aga Khan wrote a letter to Mohsin-ul-Mulk regarding the need to form a Muslim organization. On December 30, 1906, at Decca Shahbagh, the All India Muslim Education Conference held a meeting that was presided over by Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk.
This meeting was held at the invitation of Nawab Salimullah Khan in the All India Muslim League meeting that Sir Aya Khan proposed. Sir Agha Khan was appointed its first president. The league’s Constitution was formed in 1907 in Karachi.
ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk and Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk were appointed joint secretaries of the league. By December 17, 1907, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, heading a six-member Committee, had been able to frame the Constitution of the League. The book was named The Green Book. Sir Aga Khan and Dr Syed Hasan were appointed the permanent president and secretary, respectively.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE
Following are the aims and objectives of the All-India Muslim League.
- To create among the Muslims feelings of loyalty toward the British government
- To safeguard the Political rights of Muslims and make the government aware of their apprehensions
- To prevent among Muslims the rise of Prejudicial feelings against other communities of the Subcontinent
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MUSLIM LEAGUE
Following are the preliminary achievements of the Muslim League.
1. SEPARATE ELECTORATE
This demand had been voiced to lord Minto back in 1906. And finally, in the Minto Morley reforms of 1909, the British conceded to said demand of the Muslims.
2. APPOINTMENT OF THE MUSLIMS JUDGES
The Muslim league demanded that Muslims be appointed judges in the High and Chief Courts. This demand was accepted.
3. APPROVAL OF THE TRUST BILL
This was another outstanding achievement of the Mudim league Quaid-e-Azam Viceroy, who agreed to prepare the Trust bill.
FINAL NOTE
As the Indo-Pak history unfolded, the struggle of the Muslim League to safeguard the interests of the Indian Muslims became more evident, ultimately leading to the Creation of Pakistan in 1947. Several Hindu and British historians have alleged that the Muslim League was founded at the official instigation of the Mustin League.
REFERENCES
- Pakistan Studies by Waqar Ahmad Cheema
