Saray Jahan se Acha Hindustan Hamara
Hum bulbulay hain iski ye gulsitaan Hamara
This piece of poetry was written by Allama Iqbal and is still one of most famous national songs in India.
Its being claimed that Iqbal is the one who gave concept for a separate homeland for Muslims of India.
So what was the turning point that made Iqbal demand for a separate land? Did he demand for a separate land or Independent Muslim states?
Was Iqbal against Hindu- Muslim harmony as being portrayed by by the so called followers of Iqbal like Zaid Hamid who still dream of ruling India for other 800 years through Ghazwa e Hind?
Was Iqbal a pro-military person, who could support the actions of allocating majority of the Budget to military for fighting Hindus?
Iqbal some how came to the conclusion that the muslims and hindus of the sub continent cannot live together, maybe there were some suspicions as the British had taken over from the muslims and he was feeling that once hindus again get the power back they might create problems for them. His vision was for separate muslim state or a loose confederation (having self rule) within Indian dominion.
The idea of Hindu domination is blasphemous to begin with for the community that ruled, the idea of slavery is not bad unless the ruling community becomes the subject of it. though Hindus were providing democratic conuntry not some kingship:)
Iqbal proposed a dominion of muslim states with in the confederation of it, stepping stone to two nation theory at best, the theory was first proposed by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar:)
It means Iqbal had no problem living with Hindus as far as Muslims get their rights. Iqbal didn’t wish a ruling Muslim class, but Muslims on the way of prosperity while living with other communities in harmony and when he said following lines, he didn’t mean ruling the world:
Cheen-o-Arab hamara, Hindustan hamara
Muslim main hum, watan hai sara jahan hamara
What was the theory of Savarkar and what do you think was the point that made Muslims separate their ways from Hindus / Congress?
He disowned his own song, the demand of muslim is the most debatable thing, Jinnah had 14 points, Mujib had six. Jinnah became role model of Mujeeb. Once special status is demanded within Nation, it automatically becomes stepping stone to secession:). When none of the other group, however small, asked for special treatment, Muslim demands were almost of separation. Iqbal wanted seprated loose muslim confederation, Jinnah demanded separate nation, it was Iqbal’s idea that Jinnah developed upon, Iqbal’s tomb is in Lahore and his cousin’s Samadhi is in India:)
Savarkar demanded separate countries for both communities, He was well known right winger, Not all muslims went with the idea of Pakistan, In most populous Muslim states of UP and Bihar, congress has better support of muslims than league had, even Baccha Khan of KP was not satisfied with Jinnah and famously quoted when he said to Mahatma that he had thrown them with the wolves". Baccha Khan is among the very few non-Indians who got highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna:)
Iqbal’s letter to Mr Jinah in 1937 showing what was his perception for demanding separate Muslim state / states. Its strange that he mentioned the problem that upper class (Muslims) were causing to Muslim masses, before reverting to the problems due to Hindu leaders.
Another letter of Iqbal addressed to Mr Jinnah, where he referred to Hindu Muslim riots and burning of Quran in Sindh. Surprisingly, he didn’t consider reason for these incident as neither religious nor economical, but political one.
Nehru’s atheistic socialism never seemed pragmatic before it became reality, Brahminism or casteism was/is equally muslim thing as well, It was later when modern Independent India became socialist secular democratic republic, its divine meaning came into reality, Nehru’s vision was to have a country governed by the laws formulated by supreme representative body of individuals called parliament.A country where everyone can live freely, his vision brought enemity with china when he gave shelter to Dalai Lama:). Hindus and other Indians accepted Nehru’s idea, however large section of muslims never saw democracy as a solution, they thought their problem can be solved by following Shariat and muslim laws and for that as Iqbal proposed muslim state was needed. Being muslim is just one factor of any individual personality, other factors are linguistic group, social group, sect, place of origin etc. to form a country any of these identities can work but to sustain it one needs a very stable and powerful ideology.
I think any ideology can only work for long run with strong economic conditions. Muslims of India could get a separate country on the name of religion (though I think it was more on economical fears), but weak economy and fight for scare resources shattered two nations theory.
Here is an extract from Rajendra Prasad Book India Divided related to the Mr Jinnah’s response when he was point out for economical problems of the new Muslim state:
Mr Jinnah had a good idea about the economic problems that the new nation had to face, but his philosophy of living sensibly and poorly was not followed by later Pakistani Government that not only separated Bangla Desh, but this attitude of extravagance (spending on military and avoiding basic things like Health, Education) still haunting the Pakistanis.
