Lahore Resolution, March 23 and the Apparently Historic Rally of PTI
The young country that has been misgoverned since the death of its founder is moving towards yet another Utopia. March 23, 1940 marked a significant day in the history of Pakistan, but there are various controversies attached to it as well.
Like most of the socially constructed and distorted realities, Lahore Resolution was also thwarted and presented negatively by the Hindu circles. It was labelled as the Pakistan Resolution by Indian newspapers. March 24, was the precise date when the resolution was passed and it pointed out the need for two separate “states”. It was the day when Muslims gave up the notion of separate ‘electorates’ as they had learnt their lessons from the elections of 1935-36 after which the Hindu atrocities multiplied. Muslims were more vigilant than ever and they were resolved that the only solution was to get themselves out of the yolk of British Raj and brutal dominance of Hindus. On March 23,1940 the resolution was presented. 73 years later, a cricketer-turned-politician has emerged on the political landscape of Pakistan and is chanting slogans of change to the extent that he claims to ‘build a new Pakistan’. Imran Khan is the recent ideological synonym of ‘positive change’.
Without doubting his intention and pursuits, it intrigues me if the history is repeating itself paradoxically? Symbolically assigning this date as a ripe moment to declare the party manifesto is surely a matter of ‘political wit’. However, relating it with the events of March 23, 1940 with an idea of ‘creating a new Pakistan’ is an act of misguiding the naïve nation. That day was a lot different, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah cannot be likened to any of the present politicians of Pakistan. It did not take a month-long extensive and equally expensive campaign to amass 100,000 people at Minto Park near Badshahi Masjid and Lahore Fort. The devotion, dedication and selfless inclination towards the protection of Muslims converted Minto Park into Minar-e-Pakistan. Although, Pakistan-Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) under the leadership of Imran Khan reasons that the masses are generous enough to donate money for the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, I find the rationale unrealistic. Considering the efficient use of social, traditional and outdoor media along with the amount spent to make the rally a success story, it seems unlikely that how a country hosting a majority living below the poverty line collected a huge sum.
Imran Khan and his supporters are under a glare of envy for the way they have inspired a nation fraught with dismay. He is a fresh breather for Pakistani politics, but only on the condition of adhering to ‘socially responsible politics’. If he falls into the hands of ‘manipulation’ and ‘lust for fame’ coupled with overweening then times will only remember him as a legendary cricketer. Self-exaltation and pride have never done any good to an individual, changing the entire country is more difficult. I would end this by sharing a Tweet of Imran Khan’s separated wife Jemima Khan.