The Muslim League was formed in 1906. It had specific aims like creating feeling of devotion and confidence among the Indian Muslims towards the British Empire, requesting the British Government to look into the problems of the Indian Muslims and finally promoting harmony among the Muslims of this country.
The Muslim League marched ahead with distinct goals. In the Amritsar Session of 1908 it passed a resolution that like the Hindus, Muslims should be included in the Privy Council. It accepted communal electorate system granted by the Morley-Minot reforms.
Amity increased between the Muslim League and the Congress. Due to the participation in the Khilafat Movement, nationalism grew within the Muslims. In the Lucknow Pact (I916A.D.) both the Muslim League and the Congress agreed to demand from the Government, provincial autonomy, increase of members in the Legislatures, extension of franchise etc. This became possible-due to the influence of Muslim leaders like Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Mohammad Ali Johan and Hakim Azul Khan.
The understanding between Congress and Muslim League was not perpetual. The Moplah uprising in the Malabar Coast in 1921 and Hindu-Muslim riots in different parts of the country in 1922 and 1924 widened the differences between the two. The Congress move in 1927 to oppose the Simon Commission was not supported by the Muslim League.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Similarly, the Nehru Report of 1928 was not accepted by the League. It put forth the 14 point formula of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It demanded a federal government having provincial autonomy, local-self government, religious freedom to different sects, proper patronage to Muslim education, religion and culture, appointment of Muslim ministers at one-third places in the Central and provincial ministry, any constitutional change by the Central Legislative Council should be made in due consultation with all the units etc.
Between 1929-37 the nationalist and isolationist Muslims differed from each other. The former did not accept the separate electorate system. The Government took step to widen the gap between them by granting separate electorates. Against this concealed anti-secular move of the British Government, Gandhiji protested through fasting. As a result of this, the Poona Pact was concluded in 1932 A.I.
In the ensuing election, the Congress got the majority. The appeal of the Muslim League to form the Government in collaboration with the Congress was not accepted by the latter. But in 1935, the League posed itself as a powerful opposition to the Congress.
From 1937 till 1947, the Muslim League became aggressive. In 1938, the League, in its resolution, reflected that the Congress was doing injustice for the Muslims in India. At the time of the World War II, Jinnah put forth the proposal before the British Government that the Muslim League should participate in the framing of the Constitution. Without consulting the Indians the British Government declared India’s participation in the World War II and the Congress Ministry resigned. This was welcomed by the Muslim League who supported the British Government.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In 19.40, in the Lahore Session, the League placed its demand for Pakistan and Jinnah made it clear in the Madras Session of the League in 1941 that an independent State in the eastern and north-western provinces should be established.
In 1946, he called 16th August 1946 as the Direct Action Day and to take Pakistan by force. Though, Gandhiji tried his best to persuade Jinnah to withdraw his demand for Pakistan. It was rejected by the latter. According to the Mountbatten Plan, India was divided in 1947 and Muslim League witnessed the fulfillment of desire to have-even a ‘moth eaten Pakistan.