Political Activism

Abstract

Political activism for Muslim women of the Punjab marked a new stage in their struggle for emancipation. From being passive spectators of national events from the seclusion of their homes, they emerged as major players in the events that shaped the future of their country. The Pakistan movement was critical in bringing about this transformation of the Muslim women of Punjab. The mullahs, who had traditionally placed obstacles in the advancement of Muslim women, found it difficult to object to the participation of women in a cause with strong religious overtones, a homeland for the Muslims of India. In Punjab, Muslim women’s liberation from the traditional shackles of purdah came to be very closely linked to the struggle for Pakistan. The Quaid made a very deliberate effort to involve Muslim women and students in the movement for Pakistan, and this policy paid dividends in the major contribution that these two sections of society made in the achievement of Pakistan. However it was the women members of the Indian National Congress, most of whom were Christians or Hindus, who were the forerunners of women’s participation in politics. They set the trend which the Muslim women followed.