Two Nation Theory
Meaning of Two
Nation Theory
The Two Nation Theory in its simplest
way means the cultural, political, religious, economic and social
dissimilarities between the two major communities. Hindus and Muslims of the
Sub Continent. These difference 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 cultures and civilization. Al-Beruni recorded his ideas
in 1001 A.D in his famous book “Kitab-ul-Hind” as:
“The Hindus society maintained this peculiar character over the
centuries. The two societies, Hindus and Muslims, like two streams have
sometimes touched but never merged, each following its separate course.”
There are a few factors which split
the inhabitants of the Sub Continent into two Nations. Let us examine each of
them separately.
1. Religious
Differences
The Hindus and Muslims belong to
different religions. 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 have a very narrow approach towards life.
2. Hindu
Nationalism
A number of Hindu nationalist
movements, which emerged from time to time in the Indian history, added fuel to
the fire by playing up the tension and antagonism which already existed between
the two communities.
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.
3. Cultural
Differences
Muslim followed the Islamic culture
while Hindus inherited a self build culture. The Hindus burnt their dead bodies
while Muslims 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 .The Hindus and Muslims did not
intermarry nor they inter-dine.
4. Social
Differences
The two communities of the Sub
Continent differ in their social life as well. 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 their
distinctive origin.
5. Economics
Differences
After 1857,the Muslim economic was
crushed and all trade policies were framed in such a way so as to determent the
Muslim condition .They were thrown out of Government services and the their
estates and properties were confiscated, while the Hindus were provided with
ample opportunities to progress economically.
6. Educational
Differences
The Hindus had advanced in the
educational field because they quickly and readily took the English education. While
Muslims did not receive modern education which heavily affected their economic
conditions.
7. Political
Differences
The political differences between the
Hindus and Muslims have played an important role in the development and
evolution of Two Nation Theory.
(i) Hindi Urdu Controversy
In 1867,Hindus demanded that Urdu
should be written in Hindi Script instead of Persian script. This created
another gap between Hindus and Muslims.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
8. Language
The Muslims and Hindus wrote and
spoke two different languages .The language of the former was 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. Urdu and Hindi language had the
difference in writing, thoughts of poetry, arts, painting and words of music. Even
this small difference lead to a stirring conflict between the two nations.
Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan-The Pioneer of Two Nation Theory
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the pioneer of
two nation theory, used the word ‘two nation’ for Hindus and Muslims after
being convinced of the Hindus and Congress hatred, hostility and prejudice for
the Muslims.
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 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.”
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan did his best to
make the Muslims realize their differences with the Hindus with regard to
religions, social and language national and international identity and for this
purpose he diverted attention of the Indian Muslims towards a new idea of “Two
Nation” or “Two entities.”
After Hindi-Urdu controversy Sir Syed
felt that it was not possible for Hindus and Muslims to progress as a single
nation. He said:
” I am convinced now that Hindus and Muslims could never become one
nation as their religion and way of life was quite distinct from each other.”
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. He firmly believed in the separate identity of the Muslims as a nation
and suggested that there would be no possibility of peace in the country unless
and until they were recognized as a nation. 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 a consolidated Muslim state in the best
interests of the Muslims of India and Islam.”
QUAID-E-AZAM’S
STATEMENT ON TWO NATION THEORY
The most clear and emphatic
exposition is found in Jinnah’s statement and speeches. He expounded the two
nation 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 on idle dream. They are
a totally different nation .They have an unbridgeable gulf between them and
they stand miles apart in regards to their ideals, culture and religion. In
1973,he said:
“Hindustan is neither one country, nor its inhabitant’s one nation. This
is Sub Continent which consist of many nations of which the Hindus and Muslims
are two major nations.”
CONCLUSION
The Muslims apprehended that they
would lose their identity if they remained a part of Hindu society. They also
came to realize the above mentioned differences between them and the Hindus and
hence demanded separate electorate on the ground that they were different
nation from Hindus.
Hence it is right to say that this
theory i.e two nation theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan because
without this as a base, Pakistan would not come into being on 14th August, 1947,
and we would not be breathing freely in this open air of Pakistan.
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