Which one of the following statements is not correct about the process of partition of India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, leader of the North Western Frontier Province, was in support of the two-nation theory.
Option (1) The ‘two-nation theory’ was advanced by the Muslim League. True. By this theory India consisted of two ‘people’, Hindus and Muslims.
Option (2) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, leader of the North Western Frontier Province, was in support of the two-nation theory. False. Known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’, he was staunchly opposed to the two-nation theory; his voice was ignored and the NWFP was made to merge with Pakistan.
Option (3) Pakistan was to comprise of two territories, West and East Pakistan, separated by Indian territory. True. There was no single belt of Muslim majority areas.
Option (4) The decision on the bifurcation of Punjab and Bengal could not be made by midnight of 14-15 August. True. On Independence Day many people did not know whether they were in India or in Pakistan.
NCERT (2025-26): “Process of Partition … According to the ‘two-nation theory’ advanced by the Muslim League, India consisted of not one but two ‘people’, Hindus and Muslims. That is why it demanded Pakistan, a separate country for the Muslims. The Congress opposed this theory and the demand for Pakistan.… Process of Partition … The idea might appear simple, but it presented all kinds of difficulties. First of all, there was no single belt of Muslim majority areas in British India. There were two areas of concentration, one in the west and one in the east. There was no way these two parts could be joined. So it was decided that the new country, Pakistan, will comprise two territories, West and East Pakistan separated by a long expanse of Indian territory. Secondly, not all Muslim majority areas wanted to be in Pakistan. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, the undisputed leader of the North Western Frontier Province and known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’, was staunchly opposed to the two-nation theory.… Process of Partition … Eventually it was decided that these two provinces would be bifurcated according to the religious majority at the district or even lower level. This decision could not be made by the midnight of 14-15 August. It meant that a large number of people did not know on the day of Independence whether they were in India or in Pakistan.…” |