Introduction
The Two Nation theory in its simplest way means the
cultural, political, religious, economic and social dissimilarities between the
two major communities, Hindus and Muslim 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 and civilization.
There are a few factors which split the inhabitants of the
Sub Continent into two nations. Let us examine each of them separately.
Religious Differences
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 has a very narrow 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 has a very narrow approach towards life.
Hindu Nationalism
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.
Cultural Differences
Muslim followed the Islamic culture, while Hindus
inherited a self build culture. The Hindus burnt their dead bodies while Muslim
burred them. Hindus considered the ‘Mother Cow’ as a sacred animal and
worshiped it while Muslims slaughtered it. They performed ‘Sati’ while Muslims
abhorred this tradition.
Social Differences
The two communities of the Sub-Continent differ in their
social life as well as 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 the distinctive origin.
Economic Differences
After 1857, the Muslim economic was crushed. The Muslims
were thrown out of Government services and their estates and properties were
confiscated, while the Hindus were provided with ample opportunities to
progress economically.
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.
Political Differences
the political differences between the Hindus and Muslims
have played an important role in the development and evolution of the Two
Nation Theory.
Hindi Urdu Controversy
In 1867, the Hindus demanded that Urdu should be written
in Hindi Script instead of Persian script. This created another gap between
Hindus and Muslims.
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.
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.
Language
The Muslim and Hindus wrote and spoke two different
languages. The Muslim spoke 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.
Sir Syed Ahmed – The Pioneer of Two
Nation Theory
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 nation and was a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim
unity. Speaking at the meeting of 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.”
“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.”
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. 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 consolidated Muslim state in the best interests of the Muslims
of India and Islam.”
Quaid-e-Azam’s Statement on Two
Nation Theory
He expounded the two nation’s 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.
“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.
In 1973, he said:
“Hindustan is neither one country, nor its inhabitant’s
one nation. This is sub continent which consists of many nations of which the
Hindus and Muslims are two major nations.”
Conclusion
Two nation theories is the basis of the creation of
Pakistan because without it Pakistan would not come into being on 14th August,
1947.
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