Pakistani Nationalism

Religious Nationalism Course

Outline

Proto-nationalism

Brief History of Pakistan Nationalism before 1947

Pakistan Nationalism (1947-71)

Pakistan Nationalism (1972-2014)

Development of Cleavage?

Result of political developments of late 19th century Lived together for centuries

Fought against British together in War of Independence, 1857

Elite-focused rational choice approach Start of electoral politics

Muslim elite started asking for preferential treatment

In reaction, Hindu elite mobilized the Hindu population

Essentialized religious antagonism Long standing essential differences, despite living together

New developments such as colonial administration desire to Indianize

Political entrepreneurs decided to emphasize the religious differences

Colonial ploy

Policy of divide and rule

Could not have ruled India for so long, if Indians had been united

Left a permanent problem behind

Religious communities much older Religion is always political

Emperor Akbar, Aurengzeb, Jai singh II

Marhathas, Abdali

Proto-nationalist forms of culture

Nationalist leaders used them

Muslim Dynasties in Indian Subcontinent First conquest by Muhammad Bin Qasim, 710 AD

Ghauri Dynasty 1175-1206 AD

Slave/Mamluk Dynasty 1206- 1290 AD

Khilji Dynasty 1290-1320 AD

Muslim Dynasties in Indian Subcontinent Tughlaq Dynasty 1320- 1414 AD

Sayyid Dynasty 1414- 1451 AD

Lodhi Dynasty 1451-1526 AD

Moghal Dynasty 1526-1857 AD

Development of Religious Nationalism Development of Religious consciousness (1857- 1910)

United against British (1911 – 1930)

March toward Pakistan (1930-47)

Development of Religious Consciousness War of Independence, 1857 Sir Syed Khan

From rejection to acceptance - Mughals will not be back

From rulers to minor subject – Even as subjects lower status

From past to future - What will happen next? What can we do to secure future?

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898)

Development of Religious Consciousness Strategy

English language

Education

Jobs

Political Rights

United Against British (1911-1930) Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League

Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity

Khilafat Movement Swadesi/Non-cooperation Movement

Lucknow Pact (1919)

Nehru Report & Jinnah Fourteen Points

Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948)

March Toward Pakistan Dr. Iqbal’s Allahabad Address (1930) India Act of 1935, Elections and Provincial Ministries

Lahore/Pakistan Resolution (23 March 1940) Second World War & Congress (second) Non-Cooperation Movement

Cripps Mission Elections of 1946 Cabinet Mission and independence

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal-Poet-Philosopher of Pakistan (1877-1938)

Iqbal’s 1930 address

India is a continent of human groups belonging to different races, speaking different languages, and professing different religions [...] Personally, I would like to see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sindh and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single State. Self-government within the British Empire, or without the British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim State appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslims, at least of North-West India.

Congress Ministries (1937-39)

Refused to form a coalition with Muslim League

Adopted vande-matarum and Congress flag

Use of Hindi

Hindu-Muslim Riots

Jinnah’s 1940 address: Two Nation Theory The problem in India is not of an inter-communal character, but manifestly of an international one, and it must be treated as such. So long as this basic and fundamental truth is not realised, any constitution that may be built will result in disaster... If the British Government are really in earnest and sincere to secure [the] peace and happiness of the people of this sub-continent, the only course open to us all is to allow the major nations separate homelands by dividing India into "autonomous national states.

Jinnah’s 1940 address: Two Nation Theory The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literature[s]. They neither intermarry nor interdine together, and indeed they belong to two different civilisations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions…

Jinnah’s 1940 address: Two Nation Theory It is quite clear that Hindus and Mussalmans derive their inspiration from different sources of history. They have different epics, their heroes are different, and different episode[s]. Very often the hero of one is a foe of the other, and likewise their victories and defeats overlap. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent, and final destruction of any fabric that may be so built up for the government of such a state.

1946 elections

Congress won the elections by winning most seats for non-Muslims

Muslim League won all 30 seats reserved for Muslims in Central Legislature

Muslim League won more than 90% of all seats reserved for Muslims in Provincial Legislatures

Indian or Hindu Nationalism?

Nehru or Gandhi

Nehru rational leader but masses with Gandhi

Riots, BJP and Modi

Pakistan’s Religious Nationalism Islam’s important role in independence movement but what role now?

State from Muslim or State for Islam?

Which Islam?

Ethnic diversity

Jinnah’s 11 August 1947 speech

You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.

Religious Nationalism (1947-71)

Founding fathers : Jinnah 1948, Liaqat 1951

Kashmir issue and struggle with India

Tussle between two wings—later Bangladesh

Ascendency of civil-military bureaucracy and democratic deficit

Religious Nationalism (1947-71) Religious nationalism but no extremism and few incidents of violence

Secular elite in control

Closer to Indonesia than to Middle East (0+0)

Defeat 1971

Wars of 1965 and 1971

Defeat at the hands of India

Dismemberment of country

Legitimacy of secular elite in question

New Pakistan : Military dominant Democratic interludes (1972-77, 1988-1999, 2008-)

General Zia, first Afghan War and heavy dose of Islamization

General Musharraf, second Afghan war and religious terrorism

Role of Islam ?

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1972-77)

Bhutto attempts to recover Islamic socialism Arab aid Arab jobs Deflect opposition narrative Ethnic separatists

General Zia and Afghan War (1977-88) Used Islam to extend his rule

Changes in Constitution Changes in laws

Afghan War (Three good men & the evil empire) Extremism and Madrassahs Arms and narcotics

Military confident

1990s

Political leadership fighting each other

Military –fanning extremism Managing domestic politics----creating an corporate empire

External adventures----defeating evil empire another by guerilla tactics

General Musharraf: Course correction? Fighting against Taliban regime

Taking out Islamists from military

Chickens came home to roost

Pakistan First

Limit to Extremism

More Islam will make life better

Which Islam?

50,000 Pakistanis killed by Taliban (US:2351,4491 Total: 6,842)

Religious Nationalism?

Chinese or Sri Lankan Muslims

Latent Sunni nationalism

Religious terrorism

Defensive Nationalism? Initially questioned

Frequently denied Religion not the right reason After Bangladesh Ethnic divisions & Secessionist movement

Malala National Heroine but when adopted by the West with enthusiasm…

Three Groups, Three visions

Nationalists: Controlled the state since 1947. However, after 1971 …

Religious Nationalists: Contesting control since 1972…

Islamists: Fringe but

Why so much violence?

State divided Military supports/protects Islamic extremists since late 1970s to undermine its enemies (India and democrats/politicians)

No religious establishment Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia, each has a religious establishment that protects state from religious right attacks

Pakistani state is vulnerable as it does not have a religious establishment

“

”

The great majority of us are Muslims. We follow the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (may peace be upon him). We are members of the brotherhood of Islam in which all are equal in rights, dignity and self-respect. Consequently, we have a special and a very deep sense of unity. But make no mistake: Pakistan is not a theocracy or anything like it.Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Thanks and Questions