MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH’S VISIT TO KASHMIR

09 May, 2008 03:52:00

Font size:

On the other hand, the Muslim League leaders particularly Mr. M.A. Jinnah did not favour the secular politics of National Conference. During his visit to the valley in 1935 he held prolonged discussions with Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah and tried to win him over to his political ideology but Shiekh sahib rejected it on the grounds that the Muslim Population is scattered in length and breadth of Indian sub-continent with their deep cultural links in the soil. He pleaded for the legitimate rights of every citizen of India irrespective of caste, creed, colour and religion. He emphasized that the freedom struggle launced in Kashmir is aimed against prevalent system of government which is monarchical in character and feudalistic in functioning. He laid emphasis on the peoples involment in decision making which obviously would lead to initiation of public welfare oriented programmes. Finding Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah ideology strong, Mr. Jinnah took benefit of animosity among the leaders in Kashmir and advised the faction led by Moulana Mohammad Yousuf Shah to continue with its separate identity and persuaded them to change the name of their party from Azad Conference to Muslim Conference.

However, from the subsequent events it appear that there was some change in the attitude and policy of Mir Jinnah when in the year 1942 A.D he accepted the formula of joint government offered by Sir Stafford Crips. But the plan was rejected by the Indian National Congress which strengthened the demand of Muslim League for Pakistan as envisaged in the Lahore Session of the League in 1940 A.D.

As a result of Second World War, the political scenario world over was fast changing. Defeat of Hilter by allied countries was the victory of democratic forces. On the other hand, the British economy had gone down during the war times and there was scarcity of essentials of life making it difficult for British Government to hold the colonies and on the other hand the allied countries were pressurizing the British government to stand by its commitment and grant freedom to the colonies. There was also a new awakening in the sub-continent particularly in the State of Jammu and Kashmir where the National Conference workers voluntarily associated themselves in distribution of food stuffs among the needy.

Add to: Add to your del.icio.us