Separation of Sind

[KALKI]

To separate Sind from the Bombay Presidency was a colossal problem. It loomed so large on the political horizon that it eclipsed all others, because Sind separation assumed a communal colour. Long and bitter were those days of uncertainty for Muslims. In 1935, the Aga Khan III was appraised of the benefits that would accrue to Sind after separation. He gave the problem a close and careful consideration. The Muslims of Sind were convinced that their cause was in safe hands. Then came that day of rejoicing when Sind separation was accepted in principle and subsequently confirmed by the Paliament and thus the provincial independence was won for the Muslims of Sind. Muhammad Hashim Gazdat urged the Aga Khan that, "We people of Sind will be happy and proud if you may arrive in Sind as a first governor." The Aga Khan replied that, "My friend, I have no desire to be a governor, but I am a governor-maker."



It is difficult to sum up the services of the Aga Khan III hitheroto he rendered for the cause of the Indian Muslims. K.K. Aziz however writes in his "History of the Idea of Pakistan" (Lahore, 1987, 1st vol., p. 94) that, "He played an important part in the elevation of the Aligarh College to the status of a Muslim university; his role in the Muslim struggle for winning separate representation was vital and extended from the 1906 Simila deputation to the working of the 1935 reforms; his exertions in the direction of uplifting the community were generous, commandable and sincere; his sustained and anxious efforts to extract safeguards for the Muslims from the British government were often successful and brough much security to the community. These are valuable services which every prejudiced historian will acknowledge gladly and readily."



In this year, the Aga Khan was made the Pre-Chancellor of Aligarh University, and attended its convocation in 1938.