ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL-INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (AIML)

ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL-INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (AIML)

(30DECEMBER, 1906)

Introduction:

In the opinion Dr. K.K. Aziz, four factors were responsible for the creation of All-India Muslim league.

i.             The old belief uttered by Sir Syed That Muslims were separate identity.

ii.            The Hindu Character of the Indian National Congress, which did not allow Muslims to associate themselves with other Indians.

iii.           Thirdly, Agitation against the partition of Bengal.

iv.           Finally, the Muslims desire to have their own exclusive electorate for representative institution. 

Background:

The following events paved way for the establishment of the All India Muslim League:

1.            Establish of the British System of Government:                                The system introduced after the establishment of the British Government in the year 1858, was democratic in nature. Since, the Hindus outnumbered the Muslims in Indian population they were on a surer ground under the new political system. The British had already crippled the Muslims economically. If a system based on majority rule, pure and simple, were established the Muslims were surely going to lose. This state of affairs called for a Muslim political platform to voice Muslim demands effectively.

2.            Hindu Extremism:           The Urdu-Hindi Controversy spurred by the Hindus in 1867, the Hindus demanded replacement of Urdu by Hindi as official language. During the same period, Hindu extremists started programme like the “Arya Samaj” with a purpose to reconvert the Muslims into Hindu religion. Hindu writer spread hatred against the Muslims among their followers.

Highlights of Extremist Attitude.

i.              Laid the foundation of “Cow Protection Society.”

ii.             Series of article in his newspaper “Kesri 1892”

iii.            Presented “Shivaji” (the notorious anti-Muslim campaigner) as a national hero.

iv.           “Marthatta” newspaper is leading in spreading hatred.

v.            The anti-Urdu posture of Anthony Macdonnel in the year 1900 played a vital role in the political awakening of Muslims.

3.            Establishment of the Indian National Congress:                A retired British Civil Servant A.O. Hume established the Indian National Congress in the year 1885. The Hindus welcomed it enthusiastically and joined it in great number.

4.            Demand for Separate Electorate:             Sir Sayyid believed that the British system of elections, pure and simple, did not suit the Indian conditions, because this will reduce the Muslims to a position of permanent slavery and subservience to the majority community. H proposed the system of separate electorate as an alternative. This system obviously could not made useful unless the Muslims had political party of their own.

5.            Change of Government in Britain:           Liberal Party returned to power in 1905 elections held in Britain. The party gave a programme of political reforms meant for India. The Muslim leaders discussed the situation and decided to make a common cause for taking up the demands of the Muslim community with the government.

6.            Partition of Bengal and Congress Attitude:         In the year 1905, the British government divided the province of Bengal into two parts. Since the newly created province of East Bengal had a Muslim Majority, the Muslims were to benefit from this partition. Hindus launched a strong protest against this decision of the government throughout India. The province of Bengal was the main target of the saboteurs. (                      ). The Muslims were greatly disappointed when they saw that the Congress, notwithstanding all its claims of neutrality, was supporting the Hindus extremists openly.

7.            The Simla Deputation:                  Thirty five top ranking Muslim leaders taken from all parts of the Sub-Continent called on the then Viceroy Lord Minto at Simla on Oct. 1, 1906. Important Muslim demands presented to the Viceroy included; reserved quota of seats for Muslims in all representative bodies and separate electorate; the viceroy expressed sympathy with the Muslim demands and promised to take them up with the British Government. The Muslim leaders were greatly encouraged by the Viceroy’s response.

EMERGENCE OF ALL-INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE

                A session of the All India Muhammadan Education Conference was held under the chairmanship of Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk in December 1906 at Dacca. Resolution for the establishment of All India Muslim League was moved in this Meeting by Nawab Salim-Ullah Khan and was seconded by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Hakeem Ajmal Khan and Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar. Sir Agha Khan was made the first president.

Objectives:

At the time of its formation the Muslim League had set a three point agenda:

1.            To safeguard and protect the interests of the Indian Muslims; to convey their demands to the British government in a peaceful manner and through constitutional means. (POLITICAL RIGHTS)

2.            To create feelings of respect and goodwill for the government amongst the Muslims and to remove any misunderstanding, they might have, regarding, government’s policies and actions.

                (LOYALTY)

3.            To create feelings of brotherhood between the Muslims and other Indian communities. (UNITY)

PRESS REACTIONS

. welcome by the “Times of India” (Bombay)

. daily“Telegraph” (Lucknow)

The “Pioneer” and “Civil Military Gazatte” gave neutral response.

Pro-Congress newspaper started vilifications such as “Bengalee” started a series of hostile and abusive condemnation. This newspaper called it “Salimullah League”

Those who were desirous of forming a new Muslim political party were divided into four groups.

i. REACTIONARY To use the new party as forum to confront the agitation against partition of Bengal Nawab Salimullah Khan and Nawab Ali Chaudhry.

II. AWAKENERS : Acquiring the rights of separate electorate Yaqoob Hassan and Abdul Aziz (editor of the observer)

III. PROTECTORS OF URDU: for the protection of Urdu and other rights of Muslim Nawab Viqar ul Mulk and Shahibzada Aftab ahmad Khan

IV. MODERATORS: Safeguarding the rights of the Muslims, radicals, stressed the need for cooperation with INC, Mian Fazal e Hassan, Moulana Hasrat Mohani

Highlights:

Nawab Moshin-ul-Mulk, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk established sixty member committee was set up to prepare the constitution of the League. Center office: Ali garh

Outcome of political consciousness and awakening of Muslims; 

In 1936, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan became the Secretary and continued to hold this office till 1947.

LONDON MUSLIM LEAGUE

Felt right from the beginning AIML would not achieve considerable success without winning the British public opinion to its side.

. May 06, 1908 at London’s Canton Hall

. Presided by Sayyid Ameer Ali

It must be remembered that separate Muslim representation was not the spontaneous outcome of the Simple Deputation but was largely wrest by Ameer Ali. Ameer Ali made a presentation. The London Muslim League remained actively engaged in its mission till at last the British Gvoernment had to grant the right of separate electorate to the Muslims under the Minto-Morley Reforms that the right of separate electorate was the outcome of untiring efforst of Syyid Ameer Ali and his London Muslim League.

Change of Objectives

                In March 1913 changes in the objectives of All India Muslim League were made on Quaid-e-Azam’s initiative. Policy of unconditional subservience was forsaken in the favor of “self-government suitable for Indian conditions”. This proved to be a turning point in the history of the Muslims of India.