Jinnah – Fazlul Huq Relations: An Appraisal

Abstract

In order to win over the support of the Muslim masses of Bengal for the
Pakistan cause, Mohammad Ali Jinnah needed patronage from the local
influential. One of the better options was Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, popularly
known as Sher-i-Bengal, who was simultaneously was well-linked with poor
rural peasants of eastern districts of the province as well as the urban business
class of Calcutta. On the recommendation of Jinnah, Huq presented the famous
Lahore Resolution in the twenty-seventh session of the Muslim League held in
March 1940 and thus is commonly recognized not only as one of the main
leaders of Pakistan Movement but also as one of the closest associates of
Jinnah. This paper intends to explore this myth by covering different ups and
downs in the relationship between the two, mainly focusing on the events
which took place between the two elections, i.e. 1936-37 to 1945-46.