Font Size:     

By the early 1930s, the Majlis-i-Ahrar-i-Islam (hereafter MAI) had become an important political party of Muslims in the Punjab. Its agitation in the princely states, and mobilisation on socio-religious issues, earned it an important position in regional politics. Besides these campaigns, the MAI also participated in the mainstream political developments of British India. Its political career can be divided into two parts MAI’s response to political and constitutional issues and its performance in electoral politics. An examination of its role in these two areas can help in addressing the question as to whether the Majlis was a provincial party or an All-India Organization. Its leadership, political programme and its role in and outside the legislature are vital for this investigation. Such inter connected issues may help us to locate the debate on Indian nationalism, Muslim identity politics and the developments within Punjab, the political heartland of MAI. The MAI strategy was the mobilization of the Muslim masses through the advocacy of emotional and topical issues. However, it did not miss the opportunity of participating in any movement or commenting on any issue that was likely to influence the future of India or that of Indian Muslims. Their main constituencies were the Sunni Muslims and particularly those living in Punjab. Constitutional issues did not evoke as much interest in its ranks, as social and religious issues which meant that the clerics and not the lawyers set the agenda. The anti-colonial and determinedly pro-Muslim attitude was reflected in MAI’s reaction to the constitutional issues. Soon after its formation, it aimed at projecting itself as an anti-colonial and pro-INC party by actively participating in the civil disobedience movement of the 1930s, championed by Mahatma Gandhi. It supported the Red Shirt Movement led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the passing of the India Act of 1935 and efforts for an agreement among different communities in India. The MAI maintained contacts with all the political parties and responded positively to other opposition groups, though its pro-INC leanings remained quite explicit. After its initial political ventures in Kashmir, Kapurthala and Alwar, MAI turned its attention to its organisational and institutional outreach