Two Nation Theory
Two Nation Theory was based on the fact that the Muslims were a separate nation having their own culture; civilization, customs, literature, and religion that cannot merge together. They cannot be merged into any other nation because their philosophy of life is based on the principles of Islam.
As the Muslims of India found it difficult to live according to the principles of Islam in the United India, they were forced to demand a separate homeland to safeguard their national and religious identity.
Pakistan’s Ideology was erected on the Two-Nation Theory which meant that Hindus and Muslims were two separate and distinct nations whose understanding of life was glaringly different from each other.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the pioneer of the Two-Nation Theory used the word Two-Nation for Hindus and Muslims after being convinced of the Hindu and Congress hatred and prejudices for the Muslims.
The Muslims were a separate nation that always adhered to their religious identity. The Muslims of the subcontinent did not want to see their image as a distinct nation being tarnished and therefore strictly adhered to it.
The British and the Hindus, in spite of their great efforts, could not put a wedge into the Muslim unity and love for their national character. The creation of Pakistan owes much to this feeling of adherence to their national image by the Muslims of the sub-continent.
As far as the meanings and definition of Pakistan’s Ideology are concerned, it basically means that Pakistan should be a State where Muslims should have an opportunity to live according to their faith and creed based on Islamic principles.
They should have all the resources at their disposal to enhance Islamic culture and civilization because this was the sole purpose of demanding a separate homeland for the Muslims
Pakistan’s Ideology is based on the ideals of the Islamic system. It was a reaction to the Hindu and British exploitation of the Muslims of the sub-continent. It was a revolt against the prevailing system of India where Hindu Nationalism was being imposed on the Muslims and their culture. It contained a strategy to save the Muslim culture from total elimination.
Importance of an Ideology
Ideology is a motivating force for a nation, which is striving hard to bring stability and homogeneity to its nationhood. It provides the cement-binding base to the scattered groups in society and brings them closer to each other on a common platform.
Ideologies impel their adherents to follow a joint line of action for the accomplishment of their goal Ideologies give shape to revolutions and give birth to new cultures and civilizations.
They stress on their adherents to insist on the realization of their ideals through a total transformation of society. Absolute and firm individual obedience is demanded of those who accept it and an unquestioned agreement with each other on the ideals is the most vital pre-requisite of an Ideology.
How does Ideology emerge?
Ideologies often reflect the way of thinking of a nation or a social group that has been rejected from a social position that otherwise would have been its due place in society. It grows amongst the dissatisfied and disgruntled group of society as a challenge to the prevailing social setup.
The ideologies are propagated as a systematic program of logical ideas, which convincingly explain human destinies. The ideologies are highly integrated around one or a few pre-eminent values, such as salvation, equality, or ethnic purity.
They lay emphasis on their form, and distinctiveness and never intend to follow outlooks, creeds, and other ideologies existing in the same society.
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