PAKLINKS BANNER EXCHANGE
Jan. 1. After receiving a letter from him, Iqbal wrote to Ansari, "... I think the time has come for Hindu and Muslim to work together.... If this opportunity is lost, present tensions will only stiffen more and more, making cooperation impossible."
Jan. 3. Accepted Ansari's invitation to hold talks with Indian National Congress leaders at Delhi, to frame a unified Resolution on the reforms.
Jan. 19. Attended a meeting of Indian Legislative Assembly members at Dr. Ziauddin's residence; 14 out of 16 Member invited to the meeting were present. The meeting decided to set up an Independent Party under his leadership. Those present included Sir Abdur Rahim, Sir Ghulam Husain Hidayatullah, Sir Mohammed Yakub, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Ameer Ali, K.L. Gauba, Syed Murtaza, M.R. Geet (?) M.R Abdullah and Ghulam Bhik Nairang.
Jan. 21. Sworn in as member, Indian Legislative Assembly after being elected by Bombay Muslim.
Expressed regrets on the deaths of M.V. Abhyankar, B.N. Sasmal Price, Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy, and Rai Bahadur Lala Brij Kishore, Indian Legislative Assembly Member.
Participated in discussion on adjournment motion tabled by S. Satyamurti to discuss a confidential circular issued by Home Dept. on decisions of Bombay Indian National Congress
Asked Sir Nripendra Sircar, and Indian National Congress Member, to "satisfy the Government that there is no justification for the suspicion that this movement is being carried on under cover of some ulterior motive leading to civil disobedience".
Jan. 22. On Bardoloi's adjournment motion in Indian Legislative Assembly regarding Sarat Chandra Bose's detention, said that "he did not agree that there was a breach of privilege of an Indian Legislative Assembly member ", but he also did not see any justification for Bose's detention. Abstained from voting on the motion.
Expressed happiness on the election of Sir Abdur Rahim as President of Indian Legislative Assembly. Rahim, who was leader of the Independent Party in the Indian Legislative Assembly during his absence, Rahim, supported by him, defeated T.A.K. Sherwani, the Congress nominee, by 70 to 63 votes. Out of 142 Members, 133 were present and voted.
Jan. 26-27. Presided over All India Muslim League Council meeting which passed a resolution accepting the Communal Award, "so far as it goes until a substitute is agreed upon by the various communities concerned", and criticizing the White Paper proposals regarding Federation / Federal as being "reactionary". Authorized him to move amendments on the JPC Report, when presented in the Indian Legislative Assembly. Those present included Sir Firoz Khan Noon, Nawab Sir Mohammed Yusuf, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, Tassadduq Husain Khan Sherwani, Khan Bahadur Haji Rahim Bakhsh, Khan Bahadur Hafiz Hidayat Husain, Saud Ahmed, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Raja Ghazanafar Ali Khan, Syed Murtaza and Nawab of Chhatari.
Jan. 28. During his negotiations with Rajendra Prasad, the latter put forward a formula which was based on Indian National Congress Working Committee's Resolution, adopted at Bombay in 1931; it included joint electorates and reservation of seats on population basis, with freedom to minorities to contest more seats, the franchise being so arranged as to reflect the proportion of various communities in the electorates.
Jan. 30. Told Prasad that Muslim would not vote for the Resolution tabled by Congress rejecting the JPC Report in the Indian Legislative Assembly "as they held that the rejection of the Report included rejection of the Award also".
Opposed motion tabled by Commerce and Railway member, Sir Joseph Bhore, on Indo-British Trade Agreement, saying "No, you are putting a halter round my neck and handicapping me in an agreement with other countries. England does not buy everything from India. This agreement is therefore full of meaning. We are ready to impose differential duties on the merits of the case, but cannot subscribe to a new principle which prevents our giving protection on any other ground." Added that the agreement was intended only to take in fair selling price into consideration when India was out to protect its industries by means of tariff, and challenged Bhore to say if that was not the case. Motion on the termination of the Agreement was carried by 66-58 votes.
Jan. 31. During negotiations with Rajendra Prasad, demanded a differential franchise for Muslim in Bengal and in Punjab, besides the 51 per cent seats, offered by Indian National Congress to Muslim in the two prove.
Met Nawab Yusuf Ali Khan of Baluchistan for the last time at his Malabar Hill residence, whom he had met several times before, and discussed with him the conditions in Baluchistan. Nawab Yusuf had earlier visited England in Feb. 1934 to present the Baluchistan's case for reforms.
Issued a statement to the press from New Delhi on talks on Indo-British Trade Agreement.
Feb. 4. Asked question in Indian Legislative Assembly regarding Indo-Burma Trade Agreement and whether Indian commercial opinion was consulted by Government in this connection.
Speaking on the motion to lift ban on the Khudai Khidmatgar organization in North West Frontier Province, Shaukat Ali considered Mohammed Ali Jinnah "the person to make that appeal" to Government which would be appreciated by Muslim community. Pleading for removal of ban, said: "Do restore peace in the North West Frontier Province, bring them back to constitutional methods, and what is more, respond to the All India feeling in this House. I tell you it is not too late for you. Win them back, win them back and restore real honest peace and goodwill in the North West Frontier Province." Voted for motion, which was adopted, by 74 to 46 votes.
Feb. 6. Continued participation in Indian Legislative Assembly debate on Report of the JPC on Indian Constitutional Reforms.
Feb. 6 - June 5. Discussions on the India Bill in the House of Commons.
Feb. 7. Speaking on his motion regarding the JPC Report on Indian Constitutional Reform, condemned over centralization and advocated that province should have more and more powers. Quoted a passage from Statesman of 2 Feb. 1935, which said: "Mr. Jinnah, who started as a keen Round Tabler, an enthusiastic Federalist, is now dissatisfied because he was not invited to the later sitting of the Conference.", and refuted the charge that he was "the strongest opponent of the scheme". Said, "I was the keenest Round Table, but I did not start as an enthusiastic Federalist".
Voted against Desai's amendment. The first part of Desai's amendment rejecting the JPC Report was rejected by 72-61 votes, the Second part to remain neutral on the Communal Award by 84-44 votes.
The first part of his motion was accepted by 68 to 15 votes; parts 2 and 3 of his motion were accepted by 74 to 58 votes. After acceptance of his motion to modify the original Resolution, the House felt that there was no need to deal with other similar amendments already tabled in the House.
Feb. 11. In a letter to Rajendra Prasad, requested trim to reach Delhi for further discussion on finding a substitute for the Communal Award
Feb. 12-14. Debate on the JPC Report in the Council of State, on a motion by Fazl-i-Husain, Leader of the House. Council voted for giving JPC Scheme a fair trial.
Feb. 13-14. In their negotiations, he and Rajendra Prasad agreed on a formula "as a basis for further discussion" on the Communal Award.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Rajendra Prasad negotiations were continued. Their formula for the substitution of the Communal Award was published. It provided for differential franchise to get the proportion of various communities reflected in the electoral rolls and the Center, for ending overlapping of electorates of different constituencies, for the Sikhs and Hindu in Punjab to choose the number of constituencies for the seats allotted to them in the Award, with the remaining seats allotted to Muslim according to the number of seats allotted to them in the Award; for dividing the seats obtained from Europeans between Hindu and Muslim in Bengal; for reserving the seats allotted to Muslim at the center by the Award; and for joint electorates.
Argued against reopening the question of seats along with that of electorate and against fixing a time limit on reservation of seats, saying, it would be hard for him to get Muslim acceptance if these issues were reopened. Prasad was convinced of his arguments, considered that the formula on the whole "furnished a basis of agreement", and was prepared to "pay some price" in order to Secure joint electorates.
Feb. 15. Bombay Legislative Council rejected the Government's motion to consider the JPC Report.
Feb. 16. Presided over All India Muslim League Council meeting at Delhi, at which he was elected President for the All India Muslim League session to be held at Lahore on 20-21 April 1935. The Council regretted that the Government had ignored the repeated Muslim demand regarding the setting up of Baluchistan as a Province or its amalgamation with Sindh; the Council further urged upon the Government to take steps for the better representation of Baluchistan in the central legislature and other reforms in respect of the local bodies, customary law and Jirga system be made; protested against incarceration of Khan Abdus Samad Khan Achakzai and Abdul Aziz, and requested the Government to release them.
Informed the members of his talks with Rajendra Prasad on the Communal Award.
Feb. 17. All India Muslim League Conference Executive Board discussed the question of the amalgamation of the Conference with All India Muslim League at their Delhi meeting.
Feb. 18. In a statement, Abdoola Haroon, secretary of All India Muslim League Conference, welcomed his talks with Rajendra Prasad, saying that the Congress had at last realized the supreme importance for a genuine communal agreement without which "no constitutional advance is possible".
In his speech at the Anglo Arabic College, emphasized Hindu -Muslim settlement as a prerequisite for early freedom of India.
Feb. 20. Asked Government benches regarding Tariff Board Report on Glass Industry.
Feb. 22. Participating in Assembly debate on Railway Budget List of Demands, advocated reconstitution of Railway Board voted for reducing the Railway Board grant; motion adopted. Also spoke on constitution of Government and Legislatures.
Feb. 24. Continued his parleys with Rajendra Prasad for a substitute to the Communal Award.
Feb. 25. Continued participation in Assembly discussion on Railway Board under Railway Budget.
Feb. 27. Participated in Assembly debate on Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill moved for its reference to select Committee by Sardar Sant Singh, voted for motion which was adopted by 66 to 55 votes.
During their negotiations, Rajendra Prasad suggested confining the agreement to Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League leaving aside the more intransigent bodies, to which suggestion he did not agree.
March 1. Negotiations with Rajendra Prasad on the Communal Award broke down. In a joint statement with Rajendra Prasad on their talks to devise a suitable alternative to the Communal Award, regretted their failure "to find such a formula", despite their "best efforts." Said, "Communal harmony and concord are essential for the progress of our country".
March 21. Asked question, in Indian Legislative Assembly, relating to Restoration of Indian imports into Italy, etc.
Participated in debate on adjournment motion tabled by K.L. Gauba, voted for motion, which was adopted, by 67 to 52 votes.
March 23. Participated in discussion on Indian Finance Bill moved by S. Satyamurti on 21 March.
March 26. Participated in adjournment motion moved by Mathuradas Vassanji to discuss speech of the Finance Member regarding financial adjustment problems between India and Burma voted for motion, which was adopted, by 78 to 36 votes.
March 27. Participated in Assembly discussion on difference between Supplementary Grant and Excess Grant, and on adjournment motion by S. Satyamurti.
March 28. Speaking on Sir James Grigg's (Finance Member) statement regarding Tribunal for Indo-Burma Financial Settlement criticized the Government "That is not the way to treat this country, and that is not the way to dispose of such vital interest of Burma and India."
Participated discussion and voting on demands for Supplementary Grants.
March 28-April 12. Was elected President of the 24th All India Muslim League annual session to be held at Lahore on 20-21 April. The Reception Committee meeting at Lahore under Mian Abdul Aziz's presidentship decided to hold the sessions on 21-22 April. However, in his telegram, received on 7 April, he desired postponement of the session. Nevertheless, the office-bearers of Committee were elected, and a telegram was sent, requesting him not to insist on postponement. In a telegram and letter from him, received by the Committee on 9 April, said that it was not in the interests of the community to hold a session at that stage, and insisted on its postponement.
April 12. All India Muslim League Reception Committee, meeting under the presidentship of Pir Tajuddin, at Lahore, considered the correspondence between Chairman, Reception Committee, the All India Muslim League, Delhi, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. After discussion, the Committee decided to postpone All India Muslim League, session, announced for Easter holidays, and left the final decision with the All India Muslim League Council.
April 22. Addressing a meeting of the Muslim Students' Union at Bombay, presided over by Suleman Cassum Mitha, said, "The position of the Muslim Both in the Assembly and outside—in the public life—was a very difficult one. If they did not agree with Government or were opposed to Government, they were incurring their displeasure, although Government did not say so openly.... They could not be always supporting government, when they knew that a particular move was in the interests of India, they supported that move and opposed Government. The position of the Muslim vis-a-vis their Hindu friends was still more difficult.... He was really glad that it [Congress] had realized more than ever that without Hindu -Muslim unity, there was no hope of any great achievement in the country in regard to constitutional advance or any other advance for that matter.
April 23. Sailed for England.
Before leaving for Europe, said in a press statement that the Indian National Congress 's policy on Communal Award was reasonable and sensible, and hoped for Hindu -Muslim unity. Also said that it would be useless to maneuver any political agitation from England, as the British Government knew the differences among the Indian political leaders.
June 5. House of Commons passed the third reading of the India Bill.
June 6. India Bill was introduced in the House of Lords.
June 20. The House of Lords passed the Second reading of the India Bill.
July 2. Criticized the GOI Act, 1935.
July 21. A joint meeting of the All India Muslim League council and the All India Muslim Conference. Working Committee protested against the Sikh action in demolishing the Shahidganj Mosque at Lahore which, they declared, was bound to create a gulf in the relations between the two communities and prove detrimental to peaceful development and the success of the reforms in the Province. It also called for raising of funds for the Quetta earthquake victims.
Aug. 6. The Marquees of Linlithgow was appointed to succeed Lord Wellington as Viceroy.
Aug. 7. Charges were framed against 122 Muslim for being members of an unlawful assembly at Lahore.
Sept. 23. In reply to Lalchand Navalrai in the Indian Legislative Assembly regarding the Pakistan movement, Sir Henry Craik, Home Member, said, "I have seen a document signed by a gentleman, who calls himself President of the Pakistan National Movement, but I do not know to whom the document has been disseminated. So far as the Government are aware the so called movement is run by some students in England and is not operating in India."
United Italian Lines Agency Ltd., London, informed him of his reservation on Secretary of State Conte Rosso.
Oct. 21. Ziauddin Ahmad requested him for the payment of his donation of RS. 1,000 announced on the occasion of Aligarh Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Dec. 1925, about which he had earlier spoken to Ahmad, saying that no one had approached him about the payment.
Oct. 24. Returned to India. Interviewed by AP, said: "The GOI Bill has now become an Act. We all know that the new constitution has been forced on us and it is now the duty of various leaders to put their heads together and hammer out a definite and common policy regarding the new constitution...".
Nov. 8. In connection with the Shahidganj agitation, over 50,000 Muslim, largely armed, formed one of the largest processions which marched from Badshahi Mosque to Delhi Gate in Lahore, after prayers.
Nov. (3rd week). Asked the All India Muslim League Secretary to call a meeting of All India Muslim League Council on 25 Dec. to consider the present political situation and fix a date for the annual session.
Dec. 21. Acknowledged Shamsul Hasan's letter of 18 Dec. Informed him of his arrival at Delhi on 29 Dec. and his stay at Imperial Hotel.
Dec. 29. Arrived at New Delhi from Bombay to preside over All India Muslim League Council meeting. In a letter, Mohammed Azhar Ali, Advocate, Lucknow, said that because of his absence from India they were badly disorganized as a "party" in the assembly; that if he was prepared to shoulder All India Muslim League responsibilities again, M. Azhar Ali would follow his lead and policy as he did before. Informed that he had consulted with Sheikh Habibullah, Manager, Mahmudabad, and he asked him to write to say that "there are still many devotees of your in Oudh and that they will welcome the All India Muslim League again."
Dec. 30. Presided over All India Muslim League Council meeting at Delhi, wherein it was resolved to elect him All India Muslim League Provincial /Presidency for one year or till the next session at the end of 1937 and Mohammed Yakub as Hon. Secretary to affiliate the Delhi Provincial /Presidency Muslim League; and to entrust formulation of the future All India Muslim League policy and program to the consideration of the next full session. The Council requested the GOI to review the situation and order inquiry regarding Shahidganj Mosque dispute and appealed to various parties and community leaders to find a peaceful solution in the interest of the people of Punjab. Condoled the deaths of Haji Hafiz Mohammed Hidayat Husain and Sharif Dewji Canji, and decided to hold next session at Bombay on 11-12April 1936.