Factors of Muslim Seperatism

Factors Leading to
Muslim Separatism in
the Sub-continent
Separatism among Muslims and Two Nation Theory
Factors Leading to Muslim Separatism in the Sub-
continent:
 Evolution of Two-Nation Theory: Hindu and Muslim historical collusion

started when Muhammad Bin Qasim, defeating Raja Dahir in 712, founded Islamic
government in the Sub-continent. Many battles were fought between Hindus and
Muslims under Muslim Rule. The historical collusion continued also during the British
Regime. Hindus, cooperating with British, tried to diminish Muslim culture and their way
of life but they remained futile. The future of Muslims was obvious in such
condition; therefore, they decided to demand for the separate homeland.
 Religious/ Ideological Factors:
• Muslims (Islam)
• Hindus (Hinduism)
The Muslims and Hindus have different religions. Islam preaches Tauheed and
believes in equality of man before law. Muslims are believed of oneness of ALLAH,
Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). The Holy Book holds a cohesive approach towards life. Whole the
Hindus follow the religion which is based on the concept of multiple Gods. They
follow a caste system and the society is divided into four classes.
Factors Leading to Muslim
Separatism in the Sub-continent:
 Cultural Factors: Muslims follow an Islamic culture while Hindus follow self built
culture. Muslims bury their dead ones while Hindus burn them. Both Hindus and Muslims
have totally opposite culture. Hindu is a narrow-minded nation who does not believe the
philosophy of equality. They consider themselves superior, thus the "Uttar Pradesh," and
used to call Muslims ‘Maleech’ (impure). There was no concept of eating and drinking
together. Furthermore, Muslims were not allowed to touch the food items of Hindus.
There was only way out for the Muslims, to demand a separate homeland where they
would have freedom.
 Social Factors: There exist a number of social differences between the Hindus
and Muslims. The food, their clothing, words and salutations, the gestures are totally
different.
 Desire to establish an Islamic State: The Two Nation Theory played an important
role for demanding a separate homeland according to which Hindus and Muslims are the
two nations and therefore they cannot live together. Quaid-e-Azam once said, Hindus and
Muslims though living in the same towns and villages had never been blended into one
nation. They were always two separate entities. So the Muslims should have a
separate State where they could lead their individual and collective life in accordance
with the Islamic principles.
Factors Leading to Muslim Separatism in
the Sub-continent:
 Historical Factors: Hindus and Muslims had lived peacefully together in India for
centuries, but after the British invasion in South Asia and their undue support to Hindus, life
became very difficult for Indian Muslims. In fact, the Muslims were a separate nation who
always adhered to their religious identity. The British and the Hindus in spite of their great
efforts could not put a wedge into the Muslim unity and their love for the national character. The
creation of Pakistan owes much to this feeling of adherence to their national image and religious
identity. Islam is a complete code of life for the Muslims and they are eager to
implement it in their personal and collective life. Islamic code of Life or Islamic Ideology
cannot be implemented until a pure Islamic Society free from all other non-Islamic influences is
established. The desire to establish an Islamic State was also one of the factors to demand a
separate homeland. Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious,
racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full
political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy. Since the
British snatched power from Muslims, they were doubtful about the faithfulness of Muslims.
So, Hindus and British joined hands to destroy the Muslims morally, socially, economically
and politically. They reserved all higher civil, judicial and military appointments for British only
while Muslims were debarred from all official positions. The Islamic educational system was
replaced by British one. Then Muslims were forced to change their religion to Christianity
and were compelled to send their children to co-educational institutes and abandon purdha. This
was the reason that Muslims became fed up with both British and Hindus and decided to
continent:
 Educational Differences: The Hindus had advanced in educational field because they readily
acquired English education. The Muslims were not able to acquire modern knowledge so they
lacked behind in education.
 Urdu-Hindi Controversy (1867): Muslims were disappointed when in April 1900 UP
Governor Sir Antony Mac Donnell gave Hindi the status of National language with Urdu.
That’s why Muslims felt the need to set a political party. Then after a detailed discussion at last
All India Muslim League was established in 1906. Maulvi Abdul Haque (1870-1961) has rightly said,
Urdu Language placed the first brick in the foundation of Pakistan. It is a reality that it was one of
the major reasons for demanding a separate country. Hindus, with the consent of British during the
Congress Ministries, burnt and looted the properties and houses of Muslims, Moreover, the signs of
Muslims, past glory were damaged. Educational Syllabus was changed. Urdu was replaced by
Hindi and the Muslim students were forced to worship statues of Gandhi in their schools.
The Muslims of India, therefore, decided that the Muslim culture could be protected in a
free and separate Muslim State.
 Narrow Mindedness of Hindus: During the period of British Government, Hindus practically
threw out Muslims from the fields of trade and industry. All the business, industrial, and services
opportunities were occupied by Hindus and some degraded jobs were left for the Muslims. Muslims
of India became the political slave of British and economic slave of Hindus. To come out from
this brutal circle, at last, Muslims decided to demand for a separate homeland.
continent:
 Role of Hindu Militant Organizations:

1. Shuddi and Sangathan Movement Maha Sabha was established in 1900. It was a non-
political party until the Shuddhi and Sangathan Movement started. These movements
motivated Maha Sabha to be involved in politics. It proved to be the worst enemy of
Muslims. The party declared Muslims as outsiders and said that Muslims have no relation
with India. If they want to leave it then they could leave it happily but if they want to
live in India, they will have to accept Hindu Mut. So, it was impossible for Hindus
and Muslims to live in a country together.
2. Activities of Maha Sabha Urdu was considered to be the language of Muslims in the
subcontinent. In 1867, the Hindu-Urdu controversy began with some outstanding Hindus
of Banaras demanding replacements of Urdu by Hindi as the court language. The
supporters of Hindi claimed for it a national status whereas the Muslims hotly denied
it. As the controversy spread, the two languages became more and more exclusive.
 British Policies:
 British economic policies
 Revenue policies
 Political policies
continent:
 Congress Ministries (1937-1939) Congress Government : While all this is

understandable, it is important to remember that there was no right or wrong side to the partition.
Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Hindus were all under attack. It is true that majority of
Muslims were killed however, though people may not change, the world changes every day.
 Three colored Flag “Tranga”
 Undue interference in Administration
 Bande Matram
 Introduction of Hindi in place of Urdu
 Nehru campaign in order to crush the Muslim League
 Wardha Scheme (Domination of Hindu Culture)
 Widdya Mander Scheme (Introduced by Dr. Zahid Hussain)
 Ban of Cow Slaughter
 Ban to perform religious rites
 Plotting against Muslim Governments
 Hindu-Muslim Riots
  Azan was prohibited and frequently interrupted
continent:
 During the period of Congress Ministries (1937-1939), Hindus did worst possible injustice with
Muslims. The Hindu-Muslim riots were usual during the Congress rule. Band-e-Mataram, three
coloured flag and statue of Gandhi were introduced at national level. Urdu was replaced by
Hindi and slaughtering cow was banned. Muslim leaders showed their resentment before
Gandhi and Jawahar lal Nehru. Gandhi showed his helpless while Nehru plainly and openly said
that there were only two nations in India, Congress and British and the rest should follow them.
After this statement, nothing left for Muslims but to present Pakistan Resolution in 1940.
 Hindu Nationalism: A number of Hindus nationalism movement which spring up from time
to time addict fuel to the five by playing up the tension which already existed between
the two communities. The nationalist leaders totally ignored the great contribution made by
Muslims by way of promoting education and other social activities. They failed up the
criminal discord to further polite the political conditions Hindu Muslim Unity evaporated
in the year after the Khilafat Movement and Hindu Muslim Riots began. The poison of
differences between the two nations aggravated with the passage of time. The differences
reached to the peak when Shuddhi and Sangathan movements began. The Shuddhi Movement
aimed at the mass conversion of certain backward groups of Muslims into Hindus by force
whereas the Sangathan Programme sought to organize the Hindus into a Militant force to flight
with the Muslims.

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Factors of Muslim Seperatism

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Factors Leading to

 Evolution of Two-Nation Theory: Hindu and Muslim historical collusion

 Role of Hindu Militant Organizations:

 Congress Ministries (1937-1939) Congress Government : While all this is

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