Sunday 7 February 2016

Why were celebrations for the creation of Pakistan not celebrated in Punjab?

Civil war between Muslim Punjabis and Hindu/Sikh Punjabis raised a number of questions about the leadership of Jinnah and the politics of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League, especially keeping in view the most disgraceful public situation due to killing and displacement in the Punjab during this period. 

Perhaps the events of communal violence and mass murder had overtaken the leaders of Muslim League and the League as a body now found itself unable to check the increasing amount of communal resentment.

The Punjab Provincial Muslim League broke its silence only on the eve of the foundation of Pakistan and on August 14, 1947, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan as a spokesman for the League issued a statement at Lahore that, "The Punjab Provincial Muslim League has decided that there will be no celebrations and rejoice on the occasion of the creation of Pakistan on August 15, 1947, anywhere in the West Punjab. The day will be dedicated to prayer meetings, particularly after the Juma congregational prayers, for the greatness and glory of the Punjab and safety and well-being of the Muslims in the minority areas of Punjab".

No comments:

Post a Comment