THE LUCKNOW PACT

THE LUCKNOW PACT

“Lucknow Pact, in real sense, was an experiment to integrate Hindus and Muslims on Political grounds”.

In December, 1916, an agreement was reached between the AIML and the INC which came to know as the Lucknow Pact. The Pact was a hallmark in the political history of India. Lucknow Pact in a real sense was an experiment to integrate Hindus and Muslims in political grounds.

Events before the Making of Lucknow Pact:

a.                   The revocation of partition of Bengal in December, 1911, brought about a tremendous transformation in the Muslim politics.

b.                  The merciless massacre of Muslims in Cawnpore and Casualties in Balkan wars.

c.                   Role of Moulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, they published articles for making of public opinion in their respective newspapers i.e., “Comrade” and “Al-Hilal”. Their writing shook the loyalties of Muslims to the British Government.

d.                  Radical changes made in constitution of AIML in 1913.

Scenes of the Event

                Hindu-Muslim unity had assumed an importance well before the outbreak of World War in 1914. Both agreed to close their ranks to present united front to the British.  Due to M.A Jinnah’s untiring efforts, the political parties held their meetings simultaneously, in Bombay in December 1915. 

i.                     Shamiana having slongan “Unity is Strength’.

ii.                   The atmosphere of “Bon-homie”.

iii.                  Visitor in the AIML session, men like B.G. Tilk, M.K Ghandhi, S.P Sindh, Pandit Malavia, B.C Pal, B.G Horniman, Mrs. Annie Besant, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu. Similarly, the league leaders reciprocated the goodwill gesture by attending their session. The notables were Fazal ul Haq, Abdur Rasool, Akram Khan, Abdul Qasim, Syed Aale Nabi, Aftab Ahmed Khan, Mian Muhammad Shafi and others. 

iv.                 Mrs. Sarojini Naidu gave Jinnah title i.e, Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity.

A WAY TO RESOLVE ‘COMMUNAL ISSUE’

In order to settle the communal issue, both the league and the Congress agreed to the following principles:

1.                   The muslim league and the Congress must jointly demand for the establishment of complete self-Government in India.

2.                   The Muslims should be given reserved seats to the Legislature with the right of separate electorate.

3.                   Muslim should elect one-third of the elected members to the Central Legislature through separate election.

4.                   Any private resolution, affecting a particular communities should require three-fourth majority of the members of that community for its advancement in any Council.

5.                   Muslim League withdrew from the claim that Muslim were in majority in Punjab and Bengal.

CONCLUSION

“Lucknow Pact, in real sense, was an experiment to integrate Hindus and Muslims on Political grounds”.

We see that the Lucknow Pact was the result of concessions by two sides. Muslim though being in majority in Punjab, agreed to be considered as equal to the non-Muslim population thus suffering the loss of one-tenth of their total seats in the province. In Bengal, they agreed to be taken as minority as a result they had to forego from one-fourth of their seats. But in return they were allowed 30 percent seats in the United Provinces where they formed only 14 per cent of the population. Similary in Mardras where they constituted only 6.15 per cent of the population were entitled to secure 15 per cent seats. For Muslims, the importance of Lucknow Pact was that they made the congress accede to the Muslim demand for separate electorates to which Hindu were opposed. It was also guaranteed to Muslim that no law against their nation’s interest would be enforced. Above all, the Congress who has been scandalizing Muslim League hitherto now acknowledged it as the only representative party of the Muslims of the sub-continent.