Independence Day of Pakistan:
A Celebration of Freedom and Unity
August 14th marks a pivotal day in the history of Pakistan—a day of immense significance and pride. This date commemorates Pakistan’s emergence as an independent nation in 1947, following a long and arduous struggle for freedom. The celebration of Independence Day is not merely a reflection on the past but also a reaffirmation of the nation's commitment to the principles of unity, faith, and discipline.
The struggle for Pakistan's independence was marked by intense efforts and sacrifices. The demand for a separate nation for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent was championed by leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League. Their vision and perseverance were instrumental in the creation of Pakistan, a country that would provide a homeland where Muslims could freely practice their culture and religion.
On August 14, 1947, Pakistan was born out of the partition of British India. This momentous event was the culmination of a significant struggle and a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people. The birth of Pakistan was not just a political achievement but a dream realized, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the quest for self-determination.
Independence Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. It is a day to honor their legacy and reflect on the values that they fought for. The celebration of this day is marked by a variety of activities, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events. These activities are not just festivities but a reaffirmation of the nation's unity and collective identity.
In contemporary Pakistan, Independence Day is a time for introspection and celebration. It is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since 1947 and to address the challenges that lie ahead. The values of unity, faith, and discipline, as envisioned by the founders of Pakistan, remain central to the nation's identity. These principles guide the country’s efforts towards development, social harmony, and national progress.
As Pakistan continues to evolve and face new challenges, the spirit of Independence Day provides a source of inspiration. It reminds the people of Pakistan of their shared heritage and the strength that lies in their unity. It is a day to celebrate achievements, acknowledge progress, and renew the commitment to building a prosperous and equitable society.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s Independence Day is a celebration of more than just a historical event; it is a reflection of the nation’s ongoing journey towards fulfillment of its founding ideals. It is a day to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with hope and determination. As Pakistan observes this significant day, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its people and their unwavering dedication to the values of freedom and unity.
Although the British Empire expanded, the native Indians never accepted their dominance. On May 10, 1857, Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army, drawn mostly from Muslim units from Bengal, rose against the British in the Meerut garrison some 80 km from Delhi and marched to Delhi. The rising was mainly to protest against the use of the newly issued rifle bullets, alleged to have a wax sealing made of the fats of pigs that was to be removed from the teeth before use. Since pigs are forbidden in the Islam, the Muslim soldiers resented its use and took up arms against their British masters. At Delhi, they captured the famous "Lal Qila" (Red Fort) and reinstated Bahadar Shah Zafar (the last Mughul monarch) to throne. Soldiers in other garrisons also followed the suit and soon much of north and central India was plunged into a year-long insurrection against the British. The British reacted and laid a siege of the Fort, which continued for a while but finally the British owing to their access to artillery and large number of forces stormed the Fort. Bahadur Shah Zafar fled to Humayun's tomb. The British plundered Delhi and killed many Indian soldiers (and civilians) and artillery was set up in the main mosque in the city to bombard suspected localities, specially the homes of the Muslim nobility. The British forces also arrested Bahadur Shah and days after the arrest, a British officer William Hodson shot Shah's sons Mirza Moghul, Mirza Khizr Sultan, and Mirza Abu Bakr and shamefully presented their heads to the Shah.
In order to keep the Muslims in the mainstream, rose Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and launched a movement for Muslim regeneration that culminated in the founding of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875 (later renamed Aligarh Muslim University in 1921). Its objective was to educate Muslims by emphasizing the compatibility of Islam with western knowledge.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had initially joined the Congress was grossly dissatisfied with the Congress attitude towards Muslims and thus joined the Muslim League in 1913. It was with his efforts that Congress recognized the separate position of the Muslims and the Muslims' demand for a separate electorate as a part of the Lucknow Pact. However the Hindu prejudice against the Muslims could not be hidden for long and the publication of Nehru Report (1928) was a great setback to Lucknow Pact, since the Nehru Report negated all its clauses. It became evident that Congress and Hindus wanted to become the ruler of India on the basis of numerical strength and make Muslims their subjects. This was not acceptable to Muslims since they had ruled India for centuries and after British subjugation, they were again to fall under the Hindus as their subjects. Jinnah therefore refused to accept the report and presented his famous 14 Points to solve the political problems in India.
The Muslims wished that their separate identity should be recognized and provided constitutional safeguards to protect their rights. It was then that the first proponents of independent Muslim nation began to appear. Among the first of these was writer/philosopher Allama Iqbal, who felt that a separate nation for Muslims was essential in an otherwise Hindu-dominated subcontinent. The cause found a leader in Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who became known as Father of the Nation and eventually persuaded the British to partition the region into Muslim-majority Pakistan, and Hindu-majority India.
In the meantime Choudhary Rahmat Ali a ambridge student coined the word "PAKISTAN" for a would-be Muslim country, which was published on 28th January 1933 in the pamphlet "Now or Never." He made the name an acronym of the different states/homelands/regions, which broke down into:
The British Government under the new constitution held the elections in 1937, in which Congress gained majority and formed government in six large provinces. In connivance with the government, Hindus started persecuting the Muslims and Hindi was introduced instead of Urdu. The introduction of "Bande Matram", the Hindus' national anthem did the rest. Therefore, the Muslim League decided to ask for a separate homeland for themselves as by now it was clear that both Hindus and Muslims could not co-exist under one flag. In the 27th annual session on 23 March 1940 at Lahore, the Muslim League under Jinnah demanded a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indian sub-continent. Thereafter, Muslims all over India were asked to join Muslims League to safe guard their identity. In the meantime the 2nd world War had already started and the British government wanted whole hearted Indian support, therefore the Viceroy promised that the constitution would be framed in consultation with representatives of the people after the war.
