March 23, 1940: The Lahore Resolution: The Pakistan Resolution

Every year, people of Pakistan celebrate this day, 23^rd march, with inordinate pride, vehemence and enthusiasm. On this historic day, Muslims of India passed The Lahore Resolution in 1940, which is later named as The Pakistan Resolution.

Background of Lahore Resolution

It was in 1600, when British queen Elizabeth, of that time, gave royal charter to East India Company of Britain to have trade with eastern countries. In 1608 East India company entered India for the sake of trade. To protect themselves from foreign powers like Portuguese, present in India at that time, East India Company waged several power struggles with them, which headed them towards founding trading posts and factories in major cities of India. By the end of seventeenth century, East India Company occupied many parts of Indian sub-continent and started governing Indian people.

There were many petite rebelling struggles against English rules by Indians, but most prominent amongst, was the confrontation of 1857. Indians faced defeat in this confrontation, but it led them towards a non-stop freedom struggle. In 1885, Indian National Congress was established, by self-proclaiming to represent all Indians. In 1906, All India Muslim League was established, representing the Muslims of India.

The viceroy of India lord Linlithgow, announced India’s entrance in Second World War, September 1939. He did not consult provincial governments; on this point, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of All India Muslim League, called the session of party to discuss the current conditions of country.

The session of All India Muslim League was held in Lahore, from 22^nd march to 24^th march, 1940. The place was called as Minto Park at that time, now it is named as Iqbal Park. On the first day of session, Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed the nation and described the events held in past few months. According to Him, differences between Hindus and Muslims were so inordinate and intense, that to make them live under one government is full of perils.This ideology is known as Two Nation Theory. On the basis of this ideology A.K.Fazul Haq, Chief Minister of Bangal, moved this historical resolution, since then it is known as Lahore Resolution and later Pakistan Resolution.

This resolution rejected the ideology of united India and demanded the creation of independent Muslim state. The Resolution was backed by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan from Punjab, Sardar Aurangzeb from the N. W. F. P., Sir Abdullah Haroon from Sindh, and Qazi Esa from Baluchistan, along with many others. This resolution was passed on 24^th March 1940. In 1941, All India Muslim League made it part of their constitution.

On the base of this Lahore resolution, Muslims of India changed their path of having alliance with Indian Hindus to a separate homeland. Finally, this dream came true in 14^th August, 1947 and state of Pakistan emerged on the map of world.