A careful examination of Freedom Movement in sub-continent reveals that the Christians played a pivotal role in the process of political socialization in India. Masihe aur Tareekh-e-Pakistan (Christian and Pakistan Movement) highlights the efforts and sacrifices of the Christians community in this movement and for the objective of achieving Pakistan.
In the very beginning of freedom movement, when maximum support of minorities i.e., Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians was required, Quaid-e-Azam and other Muslim leaders promised them freedom and equal rights in the forthcoming newly established state. Therefore, all the minorities especially the Christians responded to their call and fully supported the idea of a separate Muslim state. History witnessed that they strongly supported Quaid-e-Azam and Muslim League at every critical moment and stood by the cause of Pakistan. It was despite the fact that the idea of a separate Muslim state was severely resisted by the Hindus who were in vast majority in sub-continent. All India Christian Association assured unconditional and full cooperation to the founder of Pakistan. At that point in history when Quaid-e-Azam rejected the Nehru Report and presented his Fourteen Points formula, the Christians through all India Christian Conference along with other minorities rejected the Nehru Report expressing their disbelief in Hindu leadership and endorsed the Fourteen Points presented by Quaid-e-Azam. In the historic Muslim League session of Lahore 1940, Speaker Punjab Assembly Dewan Bhadar S.P. Singh, R.A. Gomes, Fazal Ellahi and F.I. Chaudhry were all present to support the demand of Pakistan. Similarly, a resolution at Punjab Assembly was passed in the favour of a separate Muslim state, Christians requested the Boundary Commission to demarcate them with the Muslims, during the division of Punjab. They also denounced and condemned the unfair distribution of the Punjab province more forcefully than the Muslims themselves and put every effort to get Pathan Kot and Gurdas Pur, which were included in the western Punjab.
In short the Christian community of the British India vehemently supported the cause of Pakistan and made substantial contribution towards it. They opposed the dominance of the Hindu majority after the lapse of the British Raj and joined with the Muslims looking forward to the realization of the dreams ignited during the freedom movement. The role of Christian community did not terminate with the success of Pakistan movement but even after the creation of Pakistan they have participated in all fields of life, except where barriers were created for them. They have always stood by the Muslims in every thick and thin.
Title: Masihe aur Tareekh e Pakistan | Author: Raja Nathaniel Gill, Mari Gill | Genre: History | Pages: 160 | Price: Rs. 500 | Publisher: Nigarshat Publishers
