23 March: The path to Freedom and Sovereignty
March 23, 1940, stands as a defining moment in the history of the Sub-Continent. It was a ray of light for the Muslims of British India, who yearned for a homeland where they could live according to their religious, cultural and social values. This day illuminated the path to Pakistan, which became a reality seven years later. The historic gathering at Minto Park, Lahore, from March 22 to 24, 1940, was not just a routine political assembly but a turning point that shaped the destiny of millions. The resolution presented during this session later came to be known as the Pakistan Resolution, setting the course for the creation of an independent Muslim State.
Interestingly, the name Pakistan was not used in this resolution, and it was called the Lahore Resolution. However, Indian newspapers like Pratap, Bande Mataram, Milap, Tribune, etc. sarcastically accepted it as the Pakistan Resolution. However, Muslims appreciated its name, because today this resolution is more famous than the name Pakistan.
The political environment leading up to this monumental event was extremely tense. The British colonial government had imposed Section 144 in Lahore, restricting public gatherings. Just a few days earlier, on March 19, 1940, a tragic incident occurred when British forces opened fire on the workers of the Khaksar Tehreek, killing a large number of them. The Khaksars, led by Allama Inayatullah Mashriqi, had been advocating for the rights of Muslims and challenging British........
© Pakistan Observer
