The Two-Nation Theory: Separating Fact from Political Narrative

The Two Nation Theory is widely recognized as the central foundation of Pakistan’s ideology. Recent attempts by Indian media to link this historical theory to incitement of violence, especially in connection with Pahalgam attack in April 2024, are a gross distortion of historical context and the latest leadership statements. By saying that COAS General Asim Munir’s recent statement on the Two Nation Theory has led to violence is not only misleading but political abusing of the facts in order to portray a false history.

Fundamentally, the Two-Nation Theory is based on the ideology of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who, being the leader of the All India Muslim League, maintained that Hindus and Muslims in British India were two different nations in matters of culture, race, religion, and even on social basis. This theory was given a political impetus when it was formally put forward during the Lahore Resolution of 1940, that demanded the formation of a separate Muslim state which was to be Pakistan. The theory, first articulated publicly in 1930 by Allama Iqbal, was championed politically by Jinnah, whose single–minded pursuit of it proved to be central to Pakistan’s identity.

However, the theory has been mischaracterized by some quarters, especially in India, where it has been sometimes represented as an essentially divisive and violent ideology. Most often, this interpretation has failed to recognize that the primary purpose of the Two Nation Theory was to provide Muslims with legalized rights and representation in an independent state. It was not about violence but about setting up a homeland where Muslims could be able to practice their religion and culture without fear of marginalization. Based on the desire for autonomy and self determination, the idea of creating Pakistan was not meant to stir up conflict or violence.

Contrary to recent claims by Indian media, COAS General Asim Munir’s statements on the Two Nation Theory did not promote violence and did not lead to the Pahalgam attack in April 2024. The Pahalgam incident where lives were lost was traced to extremist outfits but no concrete evidence was found to link Pakistan, its leadership or the Two Nation Theory to the attack. And Indian officials, including officials from the Indian Home Ministry, themselves have admitted they have ‘no conclusive evidence’ who was behind it. Further disproving these claims is the fact that there were no forensic or intelligence reports linking any Pakistani institution or person to the attack.

It is clear that that the Two Nation Theory has been deliberately misattributed to General Asim Munir in order to further a narrative for political ends. This ignores the historical and ideological context of the Two Nation Theory, which the Indian media portrays Pakistan’s military leadership as responsible for commissioning violence. As a matter of fact, what General Munir had said was a statement for the purpose of preserving national security and promoting peace, not inciting violence. Such remarks should also not be seen in error tied to events that unfolded at Pahalgam.

Also, the Indian media, following the script, adhere to a bigger purpose of creating Islamophobic sentiments and anti Pakistan discourse in general (but specially under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)). The BJP, a party with a right wing ideology, has always thrived on dividing the society on religious basis to consolidate its political power. In fact, it actually serves to justify its own aggressive stance against Pakistan and Muslim minorities within its borders by portraying Pakistan as a breeding ground for extremism. Furthermore, the wide use of disinformation campaigns has further strengthened this strategy. In 2022, a report by the EU DisinfoLab revealed that more than 750 fake media outlets were operating in India to smear Pakistan, promote domestic political agenda.

It is no coincidence that these disinformation campaigns are timed. India has come under intense international spotlight regarding its handling of Muslims, following the debatable Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as well as the on going violation of human rights in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Reports by organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), have shown record of serious human rights violations in IIOJK, among them over 8,000 cases of enforced disappearance, more than 23,000 cases of pellet gun injuries, and hundreds of extra-judicial killings. Local and international human rights groups have well documented these abuses, but the Indian government has denied any wrongdoing and turned away responsibility, blaming Pakistan for violence inside its own borders.

Things in IIOJK have only gone from bad to worse in recent years. Since 2016, more than 1,081 civilians were killed and over 90,000 Indian forces are stationed in the region, according to those calculations by Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). The heavy military presence of this brutal occupation forces has inflicted widespread suffering in the Kashmiri population. In spite of these blatant human rights violations, the international community has largely ignored India’s atrocious record in the area, permitting the Indian government to continue its oppressive policies. There is an increasing tension between India and Pakistan and for everything that further complicates it is the international silence on these issues.

Pakistan has always been keen on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and has supported the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination. For Pakistan, its position on Kashmir is based on principle of making certain that the aspirations of Kashmiri people are fulfilled and not on the basis of violence or extremism. Quaid-e-Azam propounded the ideology of the Two Nation Theory, which was founded on the premise that both of the nations, Hindus and Muslims, were entitled to the right of self-determination and freedom from religious and cultural tyranny. It was simply a call for autonomy, not aggression.

This is Indian media trying to repurpose the Two Nation Theory, painted in wrong light and trying to provide wrong ideological roots to COAS General Asim Munir, as well as removing blame from Pakistan for whatever issue is going on within the country. The concept of Two-Nation Theory from Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is the foundation on which Pakistan was created and still intact as an identity notion. A theory designed to defend the rights of and protect the freedom of Muslims in a newly independent country is not a call for violence. The current disinformation campaign against Pakistan is a means of distracting from India’s own human rights violations and the numerous political issues inside its own borders. In order to understand the importance and the role played by Two Nation Theory in forming the Pakistan’s identity, it is important to separate historical facts from contemporary political narratives.