The role of students in pakistan movement

THE ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT PAKISTAN STUDIES ASSIGNEMENT The Pakistan Movement or Tehrik-e-Pakistan refers to the movement to have an independent individual muslim state created within the region of Indian Subcontinent from the British Indian Empire and its emergence as a sovereign country, to be named as Pakistan. This movement was led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders such as Allama Iqbal, Liaqat Ali Khan etc. Students played a major role in the Pakistan Movement. This was of great historical significance, for the Muslim students of the subcontinent had never participated in such great numbers in a political movement. It was a befitting culmination of the reformist movements of the late nineteenth century for the emancipation and education of Muslim youth. The Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah can be seen as source of inspiration for their emergence as players on the political scene. ALL INDIA STUDENTS FEDERATION In pre-independence Pakistan, the student politics has been largely driven by national parties and its inception was caused by a movement run out side walls of the campuses, namely the independence movement against the British and for making of Pakistan. In undivided India, student muscles were first shown in the eruption of campus protests against the British Simon Commission (1928) which visited Indian connection with addressing the self government of Indians. These protests contributed to wider interactions among the students and culminated into the establishment of the All -India Students Federation ( AISF) in 1936. The All India Students Federation had been founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1936 to aid in the Indian struggle for independence. However, the rising popularity of the Muslim League and Muslim separatism prompted a portion of the AISF’s Muslim members to split off from the organization on the grounds that it was a Hindu-dominated organization. Under the patronage of Jinnah and Sir Muhammad Iqbal, the All India Muslim Students Federation was founded in 1937. The new body absorbed smaller Muslim student groups such as the All Bengal Muslim Students Association. Muslim politician Muhammad Nauman became the first president of the AIMSF, while Muhammad Waseeque served as its organizing secretary. The first annual conference was organized under the presidency of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The AISF held a nationalist agenda and was solely dedicated to the idea of independence for India from the British rule. This core agenda of independence consolidated the organization of students under one banner. However, it was segmented by formation of the All -India Students Congress ( AISC) on the question of participation in the Second World W ar. The communist students supported the decision of Soviet Russia to enter into the war, while the socialist and Ghandian students opposed to join t he war. It was ultimately the AISC that led Indi a t o Independence. ALL INDIA MUSLIMS STUDENT FEDERATION The Muslim India diverged to other direction and demanded a separate state. This was manifested in formation of the All-Indi a Muslim Students Federation ( AIMSF) i n 1937. This student body was an affiliated subsidiary of the All India Muslim League like their AISC counter parts associated with the Indian National Congress. Its goal was a separate homeland for the Muslim s, which was ultimately achieved i n August 1947. AIMSF’s role was so much crucial, it practically served as a substitute to the provincial Muslim Leagues, which were ridden by personal and factional feuds among their leaders. AIMSF was a perpetual balancing and pressure group upon the provincial leaders for not crossing the lines and compromising organizational agenda i. e. allotment of party tickets for the 1946 elections. Their significance also rose because Quaid-e- Azam listened to them as he did to no other organized group. Students were also instrumental in shaping a progressive face to the Muslim League. For example, they staged a demonstration in favour of the abolition of zamindari (absentee landlordism) when the UP League Working Committee was meeting at Allahabad i n 1945. They also influenced the Punjab League t o draw up a progressive manifesto. AIMSF was a communication link between Muslim League leadership and the masses. AIMSF groomed its volunteers by establishing training camps for election campaigning in Aligarh, Dacca, Calcutta, Lahore and Peshawar. Only in Punjab there were over 2000 trained volunteers (1945). The success of civil disobedience movements during early 1947 in Punjab, NWFP and Assam are largely attributed to the AIMSF. In short, it was the student power on streets that presented the mass of Pakistan movement. The Muslims students took part in every activity that endorsed the establishment of Pakistan. There were slogans introduced by the students such as: «  Pakistan ka matlab kia LA ILLAHA ILLALLAH » “ Le k rahen ge Pakistan, ben k rahe ga Pakistan” (Indeed we will found Pakistan) Which ignited the passion of free homeland in the hearts of Muslim and they did not think twice for any sacrifice for their homeland where they could live freely. The Muslim Students Federation endorsed the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Muslim League on March 23, 1940. The organization would aggressively promote the creation of the Muslim state of Pakistan and helped the League in organizing election campaigns in 1946. During the Direct Action Day campaign, the federation organized major strikes and protest rallies . The Muslim Students Federation sought the introduction of compulsory religious education for children of Muslim parents and students in all schools across India. Whether it was Khilafat movement, or Aligarh movement the young Muslim blood played its part effectively and with a lot of zeal. Ultimately with the combined efforts and sacrifices of everyone including students, Muslims of Sub- Continent were able to mark a difference in the course of their lives by acquiring a separate homeland where they could lead their lives according the principles of Islam. QUAID-E-AZAM AND STUDENTS Quaid-i-Azam was fully conscious of the mighty role which students played in the past and could play in the future. Addressing a deputation of students on 31 October 1947 he observed: “ Pakistan is proud of its youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation-builders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself with discipline, education, and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you. You should realize the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it. ” On another occasion, he said: “ The prosperity and advancement of a nation depend upon its intelligentsia, and Muslim India is looking forward to her young generation and education classes to give a bold lead for our guidance and a brilliant record of historical achievements and traditions. Islam expect every Muslim to do this duty, and if we realise our responsibility time will come soon when we shall justify ourselves worthy of a glorious past. ” December 24, 1940 Quaid-e-eAzam motivated the young students to come forward and play their role in Pakistan movement. He said: “ I particularly appeal to our intelligentsia and Muslim students to come forward and rise to the occasion. You have performed wonders in the past. You are still capable of repeating the history. You are not lacking in the great qualities and virtues in comparison with the other nations. Only you have to be fully conscious of that fact and to act with courage, faith and unity. ” Message to Pakistan Day, issued from Delhi. March 23, 1943. In short, The role of students in Pakistan Movement can not be ignored as they played a very important role with their zeal and young blood. They did wonders. It is the need of the hour that students now-adays should also play their role in the development of the country which was founded after a long struggle.