CONTRIBUTION OF

WOMEN AND STUDENTS

IN FREEDOM MOVEMENT
 WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT
• I know that in the long struggle for the achievement of Pakistan, Muslim women have stood
solidly behind their men. In the bigger struggle for the building up of Pakistan that now lies
ahead, let it not be said that the women of Pakistan had lagged behind or failed in their duty.
(Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Broadcast speech from Radio Pakistan, Dacca, March 28,
1948)
• Pakistan came into existence in 1947 in the areas where centuries-old Indus Civilization always
existed. Having witnessed the world's oldest culture, religious beliefs, heritage and history,
Pakistan owns an incredible historical sense and geography in the world. Modern-day Sindh and
Balochistan soon attracted early Arab Muslim rulers and travelers, and with their arrival spread
the great message of Islam. With the passage of time, Delhi, Lahore and Multan became the
centers of Muslim power in India. Historians call this period from Ghauris to Mughals as 'Muslim
rule in India'.
• However, Indian Muslim rulers could not keep pace with the changing times and that resulted
in decay and downfall. The failure of 1857 War of Independence ended the golden era of
Muslim rule in India. In these times of turbulence and disappointment, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
emerged as a great reformist leader of the Muslims of the subcontinent. He emphasized on the
 WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT

• This in a way paved way for women's education in coming decades as the fathers and brothers
educated from Aligarh University later led the social and political life of the Muslims. During this period,
the emphasis remained on male education but gradually women could not stay aloof from the political
developments.
• The first woman who shines in history of Pakistan Movement is Abadi Begum, famously known as Bi
Amman. She was the mother of famous Muslim leaders Moulana Shoukat Ali and Moulana Mohammad
Ali Johar. Both the brothers played leading role during Khilafat Movement (1919-1922). Bi Amman stood
like a rock behind her sons and encouraged them to stand firm in their struggle and never bow to the
powers of the foreign rulers. Bi Amman and her daughter-in-law, wife of Moulana Mohammad Ali Johar,
also addressed the public gatherings. The leadership that was groomed during Khilafat Movement
played a vital role during later phases of Pakistan Movement.
• Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's rise to the top leadership of Muslims of India also led to a wider
and more assertive role of women in Indian politics. He firmly believed in the power of women and
encouraged them to come forward and play their role. His encouragement and support to his sister Miss
Fatima Jinnah served as a shining example for other women. He always took along his sister wherever
he travelled and also encouraged her to participate in political meetings. In 1938, Quaid-i-Azam created
All India Muslim Women's Sub-committee of All India Muslim League. This provided a strong platform for
 WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN PAKISTAN
MOVEMENT

• Moharma Fatima Jinnah, Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Begum Salma Tassaduq Hussain,
Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz, Lady Abdullah Haroon and Shaista Ikramullah are the few
names that appear on the top but during last few years of struggle for Pakistan, thousands of
women left the comfort of their homes, took part in public life and contributed significantly.
• During 1945-46 elections, these women leaders accepted the challenges and worked
tirelessly for months, side by side with their men folk under Quaid's leadership. They proved
their mettle by mobilizing masses in the entire India. They launched campaign after
campaign to get political support for the slogan, Lay ke rahen gay Pakistan'. Women's
mobilization in Punjab to put pressure on Unionist Government, and in NWEP against
Congress-led government is of great importance in the creation of Pakistan.
• The young female students were able to generate funds for which they travelled across the
country. They also launched awareness campaigns to highlight 'Pakistan' and its significance
for the Muslim women. The Muslim League women committees used to hold meetings in
various mohallas of different localities where they described the 'Idea of Pakistan' through
their meaningful speeches and also answered the questions raised by the participants.
 WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN PAKISTAN
MOVEMENT

• Then came the most crucial phase of Pakistan Movement when millions of families migrated to
Pakistan. Women suffered all sorts of brutalities at the hands of Hindu and Sikh militants but
their resolve for an independent homeland never wavered. Their tales of uncomplaining
sufferings for the cause they believed in is a glorious chapter of Pakistan Movement.
• After independence, Quaid-i-Azam stood unequivocally for the great role women were to play in
the formation of Pakistani nation. He believed in their immense power in national life which is
obvious through his words which he spoke on June 28, 1948:"In the great task of building the
nation and maintaining its solidarity, women have a most valuable part to play, as the prime
architects of the character of the youth that constitutes its backbone, not morally in their own
homes but by helping their less fortunate sister outside in that great task... I wish to impress on
you that the nation cannot rise to the heights of glory unless your women are side by side with
you... You should take your women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life avoiding
the corrupt practices of western society. You cannot expect a woman who is herself ignorant to
bring up your children properly. The women have the power to bring up children on right lines.
Let us not throw away this asset".
 ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN
MOVEMENT
• The creation of Pakistan too had many contributors who played a vital role in the Freedom Movement
but the role of students, unquestionably, had been remarkable throughout. There is no denying the
fact that the credit for introducing the educational reforms, and awakening the Muslims of the
Subcontinent, mostly goes to the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. For instance, Allama Iqbal said: "The
real greatness of the man (Sir Syed) consists in the fact that he was the first Indian Muslim who felt
the need of a fresh orientation of Islam and worked for it.“
• The War of Independence of 1857 proved to be a seminal event in the history of India, and a
watershed moment for the reformers like Sir Syed. At this critical juncture in the history of Indian
Muslims, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan realized that the miseries of the Muslims could only be curtailed by
achieving modern education. Sir Syed clearly foresaw the imperative need for the Muslims to acquire
proficiency in the English language and modern sciences if the community were to maintain its social
and political identity, particularly in Northern India. With this vision in mind, he founded the Aligarh
Madarasa, in 1875, which was later given the status of Mohammeden Anglo Oriental (MAO) College,
in 1877. The students of this institution were strikingly different from the rest; and this change
marked the emergence of a new trend in the lives of the Muslims of the Subcontinent, who were
destined to play a significant role in the Freedom Movement. Maulvi Abdul Haq rightly said:‘ People
say Sir Syed Ahmed Khan set up a college; nay. He made a nation'.
 ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT

• The rift between the Hindus and the Muslims was continuously widening and all the initiatives taken for
the unity between the two communities remained futile. It was only the stubbornness of the Congress
that led to the formation of a separate political platform for the Indian Muslims. Similarly, the biasness of
the All-India Student Federation (AISF), which was also known as 'Baby of the Congress', resulted in the
creation of All-India Muslim Students Federation (AIMSF) that was formed on January 17, 1936, with
Mohammad Wasiq as its General Secretary and Mohammad Noman as Organizing Secretary.
• The constitution of this organization was presented on December 29, 1937, in a conference held in
Calcutta which focused on uniting and organizing the Muslim students nationwide, to arouse political
consciousness amongst them, to work for the betterment and advancement of the social and economic
condition of Muslims, to popularize Islamic culture and faith, to have friendly relations amongst different
communities of India and lo promote cooperation between the Muslim students of India and rest of the
world.
• Despite facing various issues in initial years, such as lack of skilled individuals, shortage of funds and
absence of strong leadership, the students stood up for the rights of Muslims of the Subcontinent. Muslim
students of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Bengal, Assam, Bombay,
Bihar, Central Provinces CP), Delhi, Madras, Orissa, United Province (UP) and Banglore had their own
Muslim Student Federations (MSF) who worked day in and day out for the struggle of Pakistan Movement.
 ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT
• It was noteworthy to witness both Muslim men and women participating in this great effort.
Muslim Girls' Student Federation was set up with Begum Ikramullah, appointed as its convener.
Regardless of the cultural barrier, many female students worked enthusiastically and helped in
arousing political consciousness among Muslim women.
• The Freedom Movement gained momentum in the early 40's and so did the students activities.
Muslim students worked socially, intellectually, journalistically and politically to serve the
national goal. Their enthusiasm reflects in the titles they used before their names such as
Khadim-e-Pakistan and Mujahid-e-Pakistan. They also interacted with the common people of
different villages and towns, giving them political awareness.
• Pakistan rural propaganda committee was set up by the Punjab MSF to carry the League’s
message to the villagers. Summer schools were held in various colleges and universities to
enlighten the students regarding the political situation. Fundraising was also important activity
carried out by the students to financially help Muslim League in the upcoming elections of
1945. The students not only worked in their respective areas b also helped their brothers in
other provinces, forming an inter-province cooperation. One such incident was when the
students from different provinces went to join the ci disobedience movement in Punjab.
 ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT

• The students of Bihar were engaged in the relief operation and organized rehabilitation of the
riot-affected people suffering from disastrous communal riots in the province, during October
1946. A Red Crescent hospital was set up as well, by the Madras MSF, in 1946, which besides
providing the treatment to the injured also gave first-aid training. The students used intellectual
front as a significant source for propagating Quaid's vision, for which various conferences,
camps, symposia, literacy campaign, cultural and educational activities and study circles were
organized by MSF, which turned out to be very helpful.
• The journals and pamphlets, published by different MSFs, also played a key role in this regard.
The AIMSF decided to publish a quarterly journal, shortly after their first session in 1937. The
journal was titled 'Awakening,' and its Urdu version, 'Bedari,' was edited by Hasan Ahmad Razi.
Another official journal was published by Surat MSF in 1942 named 'The Crescent,' which was
available in three languages: English, Urdu and Gujrati. ‘Souvenir' and 'Muslim Times' were
published by the CP and Berar MSF from Nagpur. The UP MSF brought about the 'Spirit of Youth'
in 1942. All these journals promoted the objectives of Muslim League and its leaders and this
effort of the students was no doubt an important contribution to the national cause.
 ROLE OF STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT

• The political role of Muslim students was a valuable contribution towards the
independence of Pakistan. As the time drew closer for the elections of 1945-46, the
activities of the students grew faster. Hundreds of trained volunteers were appointed for
different duties in the election campaign, as well as for the Election Day. This time, too,
they had to face enormous difficulties in the form of police and official interference.
Furthermore, they had a tough time in Hindu-majority areas too where they were abused
and stoned. But, nothing could distract them from achieving their goal and ultimately
their struggles, effort, sincerity and hard work resulted in the creation of Pakistan.
• Quaid-i-Azam utilized this great asset of youth particularly for the national interest. He
once said: 'I insist you to strive. Work, work and only work for satisfaction with patience,
humbleness and serve thy nation'. We have in this quotation a solution to transform our
youth from a liability to an asset, as Allama lqbal said:
Nahi hai na-umeed Iqbal apni kisht-e-veera'n se
Zara num ho to yeh mitti buhat zarkhez hai saqi!