The Lucknow Pact was an agreement reached between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League (AIML) at a joint session of both the parties held in Lucknow in December 1916. Through the pact, the two parties agreed to allow representation to religious minorities in the provincial legislatures. The Muslim League leaders agreed to join the Congress movement demanding Indian autonomy. Scholars cite this as an example of a consociational practice in Indian politics. Bal Gangadhar Tilak represented the Congress while framing the deal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah (who joined the Muslim League in 1913) participated in this event.[1][2]
The British had announced under immense pressure from Indian masses, in order to satisfy the Indians, that they will be considering a series of proposal that would lead to at least half of the members of the Executive Council being elected and the Legislative Council having a majority of elected members needed. Both the Congress and the Muslim League supported these. Both had realized that for further concessions to be gained, greater cooperation was required.[3]
Agreements by the Congress
The Congress agreed to separate electorates for Muslims in electing representatives to the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils. Although the Muslims were given this right in the Indian Council Act of 1909, the Indian National Congress opposed it. The Congress also agreed to the idea of one-third seats for the Muslims in the Councils despite the fact that the Muslim population represented less than a third. Apart from that, the Congress agreed that no act affecting a community should be passed unless three-quarters of that community's members on the council supported it. After the signing of this pact the rivalry between moderates and extremists was reduced to some extent. There was a significant change in their relation.[3]
Demands presented to the British
Both parties presented some common demands to the British. They demanded:
The number of elected seats on the councils should be increased.
Laws/Motions which were passed by large majorities in the councils should be accepted as bindings by the British Government.
At least half of the members of the Executive Council being elected, the Legislative council having a majority of elected members[4]
Importance
The Lucknow Pact was seen as a beacon of hope to Hindu–Muslim unity. It was the first time that the Hindus and Muslims had made a joint demand for political reform to the British. It led to a growing belief in British India that Home Rule (self-government) was a real possibility. The pact also marked the high-water mark of Hindu-Muslim unity. It established cordial relations between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress. Before the pact, both parties were viewed as rivals who opposed each other and worked in their own interests. However, the pact brought a change in that view.
The Lucknow Pact also helped in establishing cordial relations between the two prominent groups within the Indian National Congress – the 'extremist' faction led by the Lal Bal Pal trio (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal), and the 'moderate' faction led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale until his death in 1915 and later represented by Gandhi.[5] Though Jinnah advocated a separate nation for the Muslims 20 years later, in 1916 he was a member of both Congress and Muslim League, was an associate of Tilak, and hailed as 'ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity’.[6]
^Wilkinson, Steven Ian (September–October 2000), "India, Consociational Theory, and Ethnic Violence", Asian Survey, 40 (5): 767–791, doi:10.2307/3021176, JSTOR 3021176
^Sinha, Arunav (December 29, 2015). "Historic Lucknow Pact enters 100th year | Lucknow News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
^ abcKelly, Nigel (2014). The History and Culture of Pakistan. Peak Publishing. p. 61.
^The History and Culture of Pakistan by Nigel Kelly page 61
^Remembering Gopal Krishna Gokhale, India Today, 19 February 2016.
^Historic Lucknow Pact enters 100th year, The Times of India, 29 December 2015.
March 08, 2023
lucknow, pact, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, 20. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Lucknow Pact news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Lucknow Pact was an agreement reached between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League AIML at a joint session of both the parties held in Lucknow in December 1916 Through the pact the two parties agreed to allow representation to religious minorities in the provincial legislatures The Muslim League leaders agreed to join the Congress movement demanding Indian autonomy Scholars cite this as an example of a consociational practice in Indian politics Bal Gangadhar Tilak represented the Congress while framing the deal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah who joined the Muslim League in 1913 participated in this event 1 2 Contents 1 Background 2 Agreements by the Congress 3 Demands presented to the British 4 Importance 5 See also 6 ReferencesBackground EditThe British had announced under immense pressure from Indian masses in order to satisfy the Indians that they will be considering a series of proposal that would lead to at least half of the members of the Executive Council being elected and the Legislative Council having a majority of elected members needed Both the Congress and the Muslim League supported these Both had realized that for further concessions to be gained greater cooperation was required 3 Agreements by the Congress EditThe Congress agreed to separate electorates for Muslims in electing representatives to the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils Although the Muslims were given this right in the Indian Council Act of 1909 the Indian National Congress opposed it The Congress also agreed to the idea of one third seats for the Muslims in the Councils despite the fact that the Muslim population represented less than a third Apart from that the Congress agreed that no act affecting a community should be passed unless three quarters of that community s members on the council supported it After the signing of this pact the rivalry between moderates and extremists was reduced to some extent There was a significant change in their relation 3 Demands presented to the British EditBoth parties presented some common demands to the British They demanded The number of elected seats on the councils should be increased Laws Motions which were passed by large majorities in the councils should be accepted as bindings by the British Government Minorities in the provinces should be protected All provinces should be granted autonomy 3 Separating the executive from the judiciary At least half of the members of the Executive Council being elected the Legislative council having a majority of elected members 4 Importance EditThe Lucknow Pact was seen as a beacon of hope to Hindu Muslim unity It was the first time that the Hindus and Muslims had made a joint demand for political reform to the British It led to a growing belief in British India that Home Rule self government was a real possibility The pact also marked the high water mark of Hindu Muslim unity It established cordial relations between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress Before the pact both parties were viewed as rivals who opposed each other and worked in their own interests However the pact brought a change in that view The Lucknow Pact also helped in establishing cordial relations between the two prominent groups within the Indian National Congress the extremist faction led by the Lal Bal Pal trio Lala Lajpat Rai Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal and the moderate faction led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale until his death in 1915 and later represented by Gandhi 5 Though Jinnah advocated a separate nation for the Muslims 20 years later in 1916 he was a member of both Congress and Muslim League was an associate of Tilak and hailed as ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity 6 See also EditPoona Pact Reservation in IndiaReferences Edit Wilkinson Steven Ian September October 2000 India Consociational Theory and Ethnic Violence Asian Survey 40 5 767 791 doi 10 2307 3021176 JSTOR 3021176 Sinha Arunav December 29 2015 Historic Lucknow Pact enters 100th year Lucknow News Times of India The Times of India Retrieved 2020 06 01 a b c Kelly Nigel 2014 The History and Culture of Pakistan Peak Publishing p 61 The History and Culture of Pakistan by Nigel Kelly page 61 Remembering Gopal Krishna Gokhale India Today 19 February 2016 Historic Lucknow Pact enters 100th year The Times of India 29 December 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lucknow Pact amp oldid 1142439569, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
