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Nationalism and Two Nation Theory

Nationalism and the Two Nation Theory emerged during the struggle for independence in India. The Two Nation Theory proposed that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations that could not coexist within one state due to differences in culture, language, and religion. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a key proponent of this theory and argued that Muslims were a separate nation that required their own homeland and state. The demand for separate electorates further manifested Muslim feelings of separateness from Hindus. Various factors like history, politics, religion, and national consciousness contributed to the development of a distinct Muslim nationhood in the Indian subcontinent.

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Junaidi Hassan
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188 views5 pages

Nationalism and Two Nation Theory

Nationalism and the Two Nation Theory emerged during the struggle for independence in India. The Two Nation Theory proposed that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations that could not coexist within one state due to differences in culture, language, and religion. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a key proponent of this theory and argued that Muslims were a separate nation that required their own homeland and state. The demand for separate electorates further manifested Muslim feelings of separateness from Hindus. Various factors like history, politics, religion, and national consciousness contributed to the development of a distinct Muslim nationhood in the Indian subcontinent.

Uploaded by

Junaidi Hassan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Nationalism and Two Nation Theory

Nationalism
The term “nationalism” is generally used to describe two
phenomena:
(1) the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care
about their national identity,
and
(2) the actions that the members of a nation take when seeking to
achieve (or sustain) self-determination.
Modern Nationalism is made up of thirteen conditions or beliefs;
following are its subgroups.
Emotional Basis
• Common group feelings
• Love for the fellow nationals
• Common hostility to other similar groups
Political and Social Apparatus
• Common territory possessed
• The existence of common sovereign government or the desire for
it
• The existence of common moral, social or economic institutions
or ideas
Spiritual Equipment
• Possession of some common cultural characteristics i.e.,
language, customs, manners, literature, art, music and folklore
• Common religion
• Common history or common origin
• Common character shared by the national group
Nationalism on the Three Time Levels (Past, Present and
Future)
Since nationalism itself is an emotion or a combination of different
emotions, therefore,
feelings of common pride in national achievements and common
sorrow in national tragedies.
Simple devotion to the nation such as “My country, right or wrong”.
Future level for
nationalism is like hoping that the nation will one day become a
great nation. And if it is already
a great nation then hopes for it to be the greatest in the world are
quite helpful for the furtherance.
Nationalism is always drawn from ideology.
Page 2 of 3
Views of Prominent Personalities about Religion and
Nationalism
Mahatma Gandhi said:
“The politician in me has never dominated a single decision of
mine, and if I seem to take
part in politics, it is only because politics encircle us today like the
coil of a snake from which
one cannot get out, no matter how much one tries. In order to
wrestle with the snake………., I
have been experimenting with myself and my friends by introducing
religion into politics.”
He was in favor of introducing religion in politics as he thought that
the politics is very
complicated matter and any issues cannot be resolved without
logic of religion.
Allama Iqbal said:
“One lesson I have learnt from the history of Muslims. At critical
moments in their history, it
is Islam that has saved Muslims and not vice versa.”
Two Nation theory
Evolution of the Concept
During the struggle for political independence in India, the Two-
Nation Theory emerged, which meant that two nations - Hindus and
Muslims - inhabited the subcontinent. It further emphasized that
there were sharp discrepancies in culture, language, religious
practices of both communities.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not the first to call the Muslims of India
a nation divergent from the Hindus, previously, Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan, had also addressed them as ‘QAUM’.
Moreover, the Agha Khan, Amir Ali and others referred to their
community as a ‘nation’. Later on, Allama Iqbal provided the
philosophical explanation for the uniqueness of the Indian Muslims.
However, Jinnah was the first to conclude that Hindus and Muslims
are two distinct nations, which could not live together.
Constituent Assembly of Pakistan gave it a legal sanction by
passing objectives Resolution in
March 1949.
Jinnah in Lahore Resolution
Muhammad Ali Jinnah said:
“Notwithstanding [a] thousand years of close contact, nationalities
which are as divergent today as ever, cannot at any time be
expected to transform themselves into one nation merely by means
of subjecting them to a democratic constitution and holding them
forcibly together by unnatural and artificial methods of British
Parliamentary statutes.”
Stance of Quaid-e-Azam was “Muslims are a Nation according to
any definition of nation and they must have their homeland, their
territory and their state.” There were many other people who
supported the stance of Quaid-e-Azam. As B. K. Krishna quoted in
1939, “India is the land of nations”. Another external evidence who
does not support the claim of All India Congress that there is only
one nation in subcontinent, “The reality is that Muslim Population
in India go millions, with its own system of law and social
organization, its own distinct language, its own historical traditions
proves to be separate nation”.
Mandate of Two Nation Theory
The demand for Separate electorate (SE) was a manifestation of
Muslim feelings of separateness. Six years before his death, Sir
Syed for the first time demanded for a separate electorate in 1892.
Because of the minority status in British India, it was difficult for
Muslim candidates to be elected in general elections. If the two
communities were not kept apart at polls, every election would
result in riots. Wherever S.E had been introduced, it secured
peace.
Congress attitude towards Separate electorate was irritating. It
could, by no means, compromise with this formula. Congress
attitude further pushed the Muslims towards Separatism.
Factors Responsible for the Creation of Muslim
Nationhood
Following are the factors that were responsible for the creation of
the Muslim Nationhood.
• Historical
• Political
• Religious
• Cultural
• Education
• Literature
• Philosophy
• Art
• Psychological
• National Consciousness

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