how successful was Quaid-i-Azam in establishing the new Pakistan in 1947?explain your answer . 10 marks
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Answer:
How successful was Muhammad Ali Jinnah in establishing the new Pakistan in 1947?
Jinnah was perhaps not as content, neither quite as jubiliant, and certainly would not deem his efforts as ‘successful’ as he had desired, according to his own high standards, but he singularily is responsible for establishing Pakistan, out of sheer will and fortitude, which in itself is nothing short of a miraculous achievement.
A few reasons to consider though:
Jinnah accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan, which allowed for a Federation of Muslim-grouped and Hindu-group States, which Gandhi also accepted, but Nehru did not. Failure by the Indian National Congress & its leadership in realising the just demands set by Jinnah, set in motion the tumultuous events of Partition. This has been verified by both Maulana Azad and Vallabhai Patel. Their documents and statements are readily available on the Internet and other reliable sources, including numerous books by Indians, Pakistanis and Western observers.
Jinnah did not want the Partition of the Punjab - the State where the most horrible crimes of Partition were committed, where bloodbaths ensued and violence erupted of unforeseen proportions.
Jinnah did not agree with Lord Mountbatten of having moved the entire date of Partition from 14th August 1948, to 14th August 1947 - by one year - which caused chaos, pandemonium, death, destruction and the bitter hatred that still exists between India and Pakistan.
After having accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan, it had been decided that the Union of India would remain in place for a minimum of 10-years, after which units could if they desired, choose to opt out of the Federation - but 10-years of progress could have also meant the Union to have sustained. This however is subject to opinions and conjecture, as we will never know now, how this might have worked out.
Jinnah did not desire the division of Bengal and the awarding of Calcutta to India, which practically cut the then East Pakistan, and now Bangladesh, from its only functional Industrial hub and port.
In essence, what Jinnah achieved was the unthinkable: to have defeated both the British and Congress in providing the minority Muslims of India with a free, independent Nation-State, something that was deemed Herculean or impossible. For this we are eternally grateful to our Founding Father.
But that he desired peaceful coexistence, a fair, impartial and equitable stake for minorities in India, especially the Muslims, was also the cornerstone of his thinking. He desired an India where minimum guarantees would be assured to the Muslims, who had ruled for a thousand years, and first were subjected to vile treatment by the British and then were staring at Hindu-domination after the British would leave, was his far-sightedness.
The condition of the Muslims in India today, subjected to marginalisation, religious intolerance, second-rate citizenry status, deplorable social and economic conditions, right-wing Hindu bigotry, and according to India’s own National Reports, Ranganath Mishra, and Kundu Commissions, conditions worse than the Dalits, and OBCs, is testament to the vision of Jinnah.
In the end it was Jinnah, and only Jinnah, who got us our freedom.