In an interview with New Wave History’s Raza Rumi, Dr. Ayesha Jalal discusses the complexities surrounding the history of Pakistan's creation and Muhammad Ali Jinnah's role.
Dr. Jalal suggests that Pakistan's formation is often misunderstood, with too much emphasis on individual figures rather than the broader political and provincial dynamics. Dr. Jalal emphasizes that Jinnah was serious about securing a power-sharing arrangement for Muslims, but the truncated version of Pakistan that emerged in 1947 was not his original vision.
Dr. Jalal critiques the oversimplification of history, including the notion that Jinnah was a British agent or solely responsible for partition. Instead, she highlights the Congress party's refusal to share power and the communal tensions as significant factors.
Dr. Jalal also addresses the false dichotomy between secularism and religion in Pakistan's identity. She asserts that a nuanced understanding of history, recognizing the provincial and political contexts, is crucial to comprehending the events leading to Pakistan's creation and its ongoing struggles with federalism and representation.
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