Introduction:
In 1928, an All Parties Conference was convened to solve the constitutional problems of India. A committee was set up under Pandit Lal Nehru. That committee prepared a report which it's known as the “Nehru Report.” This report demanded “Dominion status” for India Separate electorates were refused and the reservation of seats for the Muslims of Bengal and Punjab was rejected. In this report, not a single demand of the Muslims was upheld. Since Nehru Report was the last word from Hindus, therefore, Mr. Jinnah was authorized to draft in concise terms the basis of any future constitution that was to be devised for India. Originally these demands were Fourteen in number and so they popularly came to be known as "Jinnah’s Fourteen Points." in March 1929, at the annual session of the All India Muslim League, he declared his famous fourteen points.
- Federal System: The form of the future constitution should be federal with the residuary powers vested in the provinces.
- Provincial Autonomy: A uniform measure of autonomy shall be granted to all provinces.
- Representation of Minorities: All legislative in the country and other elected bodies shall be constituted on the principles of adequate and effective representation of minorities in every without reducing the majority in any province to a minority or even equality.
- The number of Muslim Representatives: In the central legislative, Muslim representatives shall be not less than one-third.
- Separate Electorates: Representatives of communal groups shall continue to be by means of separate electorates as at present provided it shall be open to any community, at any time, to abandon its separate electorate in favor of a joint electorate.
- Muslim Majority Provinces: Any territorial re-distribution that might at any time is necessary shall not in any way, affect the Muslim majority in Punjab, Bengal, and N.W.F.P.
- Religious Liberty: Full religious liberty, liberty of belief, worship and observance, association, and education shall be guaranteed to all communication.
- Three-Fourth Representation: No bill or resolution shall be passed in any legislative or any other elected body if three-fourths of the members of any community in that particular body oppose such a bill.
- Separation of Sindh: Sindh should be separated from the Bombay Presidency.
- Introduction of Reforms in N.W.F.P and Balouchistan: Reforms should be introduced in the North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan on the same footing as in other provinces.
- Government Services: Muslims should be given an adequate share along with other Indians in the services of the State.
- Protection of Muslim culture and Language: The constitution should embody adequate safeguards for the protection of Muslim culture, language, religion, and civilization.
- One–Third Muslim Ministers: No cabinet, either central or provincial be formed, without being a proportion of at least one-third of Muslim Ministers.
- Constitution: No change shall be made in the constitution of the State except with the concurrence of the State constituting the Indian Federation.
The reasonable and moderate demands, contained in the fourteen points, were rejected by the Hindu leaders which considerably widened the gulf between the two communities.
Importance of Jinnah’s Fourteen Points
A comparison of the Nehru Report with the Quaid-e-Azam’s fourteen points shows that the political gap between the Muslims and the Hindus had really widened. Fourteen points of Quaid-e-Azam became principles for Muslims of India. These points made it clear to Hindus and the British Government that Muslims wanted their own identity without being influenced by Hindus. Fourteen points not only revived Muslim League but also directed them in a new way. These points prepared the Muslims of India for a bold step in the struggle for freedom.
The importance of these points can be judged by the fact that these points were presented at the Round Table Conference of 1930. As a result, these points became the demands of the Muslims and greatly influenced Muslim thinking for the next two decades until the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.
Tags: Fourteen points of Quaid e Azam