Quaide-Azam's 69th Death Anniversary: Is Two Nation Theory Dead?

[RiazHaq]

http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/09/quaide-azams-death-anniversay-is-two.html

Some argue that the Two Nation Theory died with the 1971 partition of Pakistan that led to the separation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. Others say that the TNT (Two Nation Theory) was dead the day Pakistan's founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah passed away on Sept 11, 1948.



As Pakistanis observe the 69th anniversary of the Quaid-e-Azam's passing, let's examine the state of the Two Nation Theory which gave birth to the Pakistan movement on March 23, 1940.

The key question that needs to be answered regarding the events of 1971 is as follows: Did the Awami League in East Pakistan fight to create their own country later named Bangladesh? Or did they shed their blood to re-unify the eastern wing of Pakistan with India?

These questions are answered by French historian Christophe Jaffrelot in his book "A History of Pakistan and its origins".

Jaffrelot cites British-Pakistani history Prof Samuel Martin Burke rejecting the notion that the Two-Nation Theory died in 1971 with Pakistan's split into Pakistan and Bangladesh. Burke says that the two-nation theory was even more strongly asserted in that the Awami League rebels had struggled for their own country, Bangladesh, and not to join India. In so doing, they had put into practice the theory behind the original resolution to form Pakistan, which envisaged two Muslim states at the two extremities of the subcontinent.

Here's an excerpt from the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore in March 1940:

"Resolved that it is the considered view of this Session of the All-India Muslim League that no constitutional plan would be workable in this country or acceptable to the Muslims unless it is designated on the following basic principle, viz. that geographically contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted with such territorial readjustments 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 to constitute "Independent States" in which the Constituent Units shall be autonomous and sovereign"

Clearly, the Pakistan Resolution called for "Independent States" of Muslim majority areas in the "North Western and Eastern Zones of India" in which the "Constituent Units shall be autonomous and sovereign".

What happened in 1971 with the creation of Bangladesh essentially put into practice the theory behind the original resolution to form Pakistan, which envisaged two Muslim states at the two extremities of the subcontinent.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Jaswant Lauds Jinnah

Are Muslims Better Off in Jinnah's Pakistan?

Comparing Pakistan and Bangladesh

Is This a 1971 moment in Pakistan's History?

Is Pakistan Too Big to Fail?
http://www.riazhaq.com/2009/11/is-pakistan-too-big-to-fail.html
Global Firepower

Jinnah's Pakistan Booms Amidst Doom and Gloom

Quaid-e-Azam M.A. Jinnah's Vision of Pakistan

India Wins Freedom by Maulana Azad

Ayesha Jalal Taking On Pakistan's Hero
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/26/a...hero-then-taking-the-heat.html?pagewanted=all
The Poor Neighbor by William Dalrymple

Iqbal and Jinnah

http://www.riazhaq.com/2013/09/quaide-azams-death-anniversay-is-two.html

 

[gangsta_rap]

Bangladesh was never a part of the Two Nation Theory.

On the other hand, regrettably you and your dad are a big part of the theory

 

[ito]

The day Bangladesh was formed...two nation theory is dead. It proved that culture and language are more powerful than religion.

 

[my2cents]

Present day nation states were formed based on ethnicity, language and to some extent type of religion sect you followed like Sunni vs Shiite.

Two nation theory is an extension of nation states based on two separate philosophical thoughts HINDU vs ISLAM. The idea and notion that people that follow them are not tolerant to each other and will make other lives miserable is a flawed notion. There are many multicultural societies in the world and people coexisted for centuries.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Two nation theory will see it's ultimate application on the Roz-i Hashr as the entire mankind will be resurrected and presented in front of their LORD for recompense. Now, mankind will be divided into two nations - Ummet-i Muslimin (nation of Muslims) and Ummet-i Mujrmin (nation of criminals for Tejavvuz on Izzet-i Ilahi is the highest crime without any possibility of Keffara). Needless to say they will subjected to diametrically opposite treatments. Founders of Pak have shown the ultimate Akl with TNT for it's like the ultimate Mudafa (defense) at the Mahkeme-i Kubra. As if Rahmetli Jinnah is pleading before his LORD the case of Nejat for the Pak folks. His line of defense is superbly astute and magnificently concise - the way he used to do during his days in this Dunya - they may be subjected to punishment for the Gunah due to Bed-Amel but can't be put with together the Ummet-i Mujrmin for all their days and nights in Dunya were spent fighting against a section of them with extreme animosity.

Bottom-line: with eternal TNT, Rahmetli Jinnah and his deputies not only saved the Dunya of the Pak folks, but most probably also saved their Ahiret. How Bahtiyar of the Pak Millet to have such a leader.....

 

[Hamza913]

Two nation theory is correct.

Only problem is we decided to include ethnic nationalists like the Bangladeshis as a part of it. They should have remained with Hindustan, their race is more important to them than Islam.

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

The day Bangladesh was formed...two nation theory is dead. It proved that culture and language are more powerful than religion.

Another muslim country came to world I repeat Muslim Country it's dead for you but we as muslim country citizen are still going well indian wanted to stay in delusion then stay it's not harm. Hydrabad east punjab 7 state sisters tamil nadu sud have been another independent states aswell which soon will you don't have enough army in 7 state sisters worry that than 2 nation theory.

 

[Leviza]

TNT didn't die at all

I have met a lot of Bangladesh people here in UK and they are Muslims still
It was more of a political separation then anything else

It just gone into behind the scene but now after Hindu extremists and terrorists have given it a new chance and now it's more prominent than ever before

When they killed innocent Muslims for eating beef and it's the fundamental part of TNT discussions

 

[Rafi]

Within the borders of Pakistan, there is no two nation theory. All Pakistanis are equal members of the state. All discrimination will be eliminated eventually.

 

[Jugger]

Two nation theory is no longer valid. The two nations have now become three thus invalidating the concept that a common religion alone is enough to keep a country together.
Two, three or a hundred nation theory will be a failure unless and until that nation is truly secular and democratic in constitution.
India is also a union of many different states with vastly different customs, language and ethnicity, by in stark contrast to Pakistan is still united.

 

[The Sandman]

All Pakistanis are equal members of the state.

Sadly i have to disagree with you here.

 

[Juggernaut_Flat_Plane_V8]

Two Nation theory is more about people west of Sialkot are different on a graded scale to the people east of Sialkot...Now Sialkot went to Pakistan..but as a compensation Jammu went to India ...Because that much claim to the West the Core State in Northern India always had----from Guptas to Gurjara Pratiharas...............Southern part of the sub-continent started forming an unitary identity with the Vijaynagaras---leter they fused with the Indian State

 

[Rafi]

Sadly i have to disagree with you here.

Talking about theory, we must make it practice by removing all discriminatory legislation.

 

[The Sandman]

Talking about theory, we must make it practice by removing all discriminatory legislation.

Maybe you will be surprised when some people will not even accept that there's any discrimination and if they accept it they will call you a anti Pakistan western agent just for the sentence you wrote above.

 

[jericho]

The day Bangladesh was formed...two nation theory is dead. It proved that culture and language are more powerful than religion.

bad news for India then, with so many languages and culture i suppose its a matter of time before it disintegrates into multiple countries