The Lucknow Pact 1916

Introduction:

Lucknow Pact is known as a milestone and important document in the history of subcontinent it

was the occasion when Indian National Congress (INC) and All India Muslim League (AIML)

unanimously decided to formulate a constitutional sketch work for the future implementation in

India. Therefore, the Lucknow Pact had been considered as a feedback factor by British

government during constitution making of 1919. It was the first and last political homogenous

show off between Congress and Muslim League.

Background:

Lucknow Pact was an outcome of contemporary circumstances developed in India. Therefore,

both political parties all India Muslim League and Congress had observed the present political

scenario of India. Moreover, different incidents like annulment of partition of Bengal, turndown

of the demand of Muslim University in India in 1912, the tragedy of Kanpur Mosque in April

1913 and emergence of enlightened leadership in Congress and Muslim League brought Hindus

and Muslims quite closer and on the eve of cooperation as well. Consequently, both Congress

and Muslim League summoned their sessions at Bombay in 1915 simultaneously. Therefore,

both parties decided to formulate a future constitutional formula and scheme during forthcoming

years and decided to hold their joint session at Lucknow in 1916 as well.

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Salient Features:

Both Congress and All India Muslim League held their joint session at Lucknow in October

1916. The major constitutional provisions of Lucknow scheme decided by Congress and All

India Muslim are as following.

1. The Provincial Legislature:

Under the proposal of The Lucknow Pact the structure of provincial legislature was prepared in

following lines.

 The 4/5 members of provincial legislature would be elected whereas 1/5 would be

nominated.

 The maximum number of members of provincial legislature should we 125 and minimum

might be 50 in smaller provinces.

 Minorities will be given satisfaction and protection of their representation and

fundamental rights.

 Every minority in the provincial assembly could use its veto power by three fourth of its

majority in regard of any sort of bill.

 The provincial legislature would elect their own had rather than the governor of the

province.

 The provincial government would have check and jurisdiction over the administrative

affairs of the province.

 The Governors of the provinces were given veto power as well.

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  Right of questions and supplementary questions was also given to the members of

provincial assemblies.

 The adjournment motion was also adopted in Lucknow Pact scheme.

 The term and tenure of provincial assemblies was fixed for five years.

 Governor could summon the session of active or provincial Council by the request of 1/8

members of the assembly.

2. Provincial Government (Cabinet):

Under the package of Lucknow Pact it was decided that Governor would be the head of

province. Governor was supposed to be a non-civil servant. Governor could formulate his

cabinet comprising no civil servant. Half members of the governor’s Executive Council would be

elected from the elected members of the provincial legislature from India.

3. Imperial Legislative Council (ILC):

It was decided in Lucknow agreement that,

 The total strength of Imperial Legislative Council would stand 250 whereas 4/5 members

would be elected.

 Muslims would be given representation in Imperial Legislative Council on the principle

of separate electorate.

 Viceroy would be the president or head of Imperial Legislative Council.

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  The session of Imperial Legislative Council could be summoned with the consent of 1/8

members out of the total members.

 All the criteria of adjournment motion and financial legislation was adopted and devised.

 The Central Legislative Council will have no jurisdiction on international agreements and

war etc.

4. The Central Executive:

In Lucknow Pact different provisions related to central executive were decided as following.

 Governor General or Viceroy would be head of India.

 No Civil Servant would be given opportunity to be elected as a member of Imperial

executive.

 The central government would supervise provincial governments but it will not interfere

in the constitutional rights of the provinces.

5. The Secretary of Indian Affairs:

It was decided in Lucknow Pact that office of the Secretary for Indian Affairs should be

abolished whereas two Under Secretaries might be appointed including one Indian. It was also

decided that responsibilities and duties of Secretary for Indian Affairs would be similar as other

secretaries perform their duties within their domains.

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 6. Dominion Status for India:

The Lucknow agreement also decided that India should be given similar status as other

Dominion territories were already given. Moreover inhabitants of India should also be treated

and given rights as the people of other Dominion states were given.

7. Military and Defense Affairs:

The Lucknow Pact also decided certain military and defense related matters as following.

 The Muslims should be given representation in the commissioned and noncommissioned

posts of military.

 There should be a determined process of recruiting the Muslims for different jobs in

judiciary and other provincial and central departments.

 Judiciary should be completely separated from the influence and interference of

executive.

Conclusion:

The Lucknow Pact got historical significance related to Hindu Muslim unity and the

constitutional proposals given by the Indian political parties. It was the occasion that led Indian

National Congress to confess the ‘principle of weightage’. On the other hand, Indian National

Congress also accepted the rightful demand of ‘separate electorate’ by Indian Muslims. Thus

Lucknow Pact gave constitutional protection to the rights of Muslim community and other

minorities as well. Lucknow Pact also gave one-third representation to Muslims in provincial

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assembly and Central Legislative Council. Moreover Muslim League proved itself to be the true

representative party of Indian Muslims through Lucknow Pact. On the whole, by the successful

emergence of Lucknow agreement between Congress and All India Muslim League an

environment based on cooperation and trust was developed between both the communities for

time being. Whereas this Lucknow Pact practice drove the Indian Muslims towards their

separate identity, protection of political, social and economic interests for the future course of

action. On the whole, the Lucknow Pact was concluded and remained successful due to the

untiring efforts of moderated and enlightened leadership from both sides. Particularly

Mohammed Ali Jinnah contributed a lion’s share in this context. This was the particular occasion

and efforts of M. A. Jinnah due to which Sarojini Naidu (Nightingale of India) entitled him as

the ‘ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity’.

Prepared by:
Umer Javaid Ghumman,
PhD, International Relations (PU).
92 333 866 24 18
umer8992@gmail.com