Unionist Party (Punjab)
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The National Unionist Party was a
The creed of the Unionist Party emphasized: "Dominion Status and a United Democratic federal constitution for India as a whole".[1]
Organisation
The Unionist Party, a secular party, was formed to represent the interests of Punjab's large feudal classes and gentry.
In contrast with the Indian National Congress and many other political parties of the time, the Unionist Party did not have a mass-based approach. Unlike the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, the Unionists supported the British Raj and contested elections for the Punjab Legislative Council and the Central Legislative Council at a time when both Congress and the Muslim League had boycotting them. As a result, the Unionist Party dominated the provincial legislature for several years, allowing an elected provincial government to function when other provinces were governed by direct rule.
Punjab government
In the
Decline
After the death of Khan in 1942, the party gradually collapsed.[
The Muslim League's
Legacy
In
In 2013, Guar farmers in Rajasthan formed the National Unionist Zamindara Party (or Zamindara Party) to represent their interests. While there is no connection to the historic Punjab Unionists, the new party honours the legacy of Unionist leaders like Sir Chhotu Ram.[8] The party was successful in winning 2 seats in the 2013 state election.
See also
- Allama Mashriqi
- Khaksar Tehrik
- Majlis-e-Ahrar-ul-Islam
- Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari
References
- ^ Malhotra, S. L. (1983). Gandhi, Punjab, and the Partition. Publication Bureau, Panjab University. p. 73b.
- ISBN 9788126902385.
In Bengal, the Krishak Proja Party of Fazlul Huq and in Punjab, the Unionist Party of Sir Sikander Hyat Khan defeated most of the League candidates.
- ^ Prof. Stanley Wolpert, "Jinnah of Pakistan", Karachi:Oxford UP, 1999 reprint, pp. 150-151
- ^ Wolpert, p.151
- ISBN 978-0-521-09783-3.
- ^ a b Ahmed, Ishtiaq (27 May 2016). "The dissenters". The Friday Times.
Here, not only anti-colonial Muslims were opposed to the Partition – and there were many all over Punjab – but also those who considered the continuation of British rule good for the country – Sir Fazl-e-Hussain, Sir Sikander Hyat and Sir Khizr Hayat Tiwana for instance – were opposed to the Partition. The campaign against Sir Khizr during the Muslim League agitation was most intimidating and the worst type of abuse was hurled at him.
- ^ Talbot, Ian (1996). Khizr Tiwana, The Punjab Unionist Party and the Partition of India. Curzon Press. p. 303.
Khizr was opposed to the division of India on a religious basis, and especially to suggestions about partitioning Punjab on such a basis. He sincerely believed that Punjabi Muslims had more in common with Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs.
- ^ Guar farmers plan own party in Rajasthan
Further reading
- Talbot, Ian (1998), Pakistan: A Modern History, St. Martin's Press, ISBN 978-0-312-21606-1
- Talbot, Ian (2013), Khizr Tiwana, the Punjab Unionist Party and the Partition of India, Routledge, ISBN 978-1-136-79029-4