NEHRU-LIAQUAT
PACT - MODERN HISTORY
News:
Jain Pilgrims Seek
Amendment in Nehru-Liaquat Pact to Safeguard Their Religious Heritage in
Pakistan
What's
in the news?
●
Death anniversary of Syama Prasad
Mookerjee was marked recently. He resigned from the cabinet of JL Nehru in
April 1950 over the controversial Nehru-Liaquat Pact.
Nehru-Liaquat
Pact:
●
The Nehru-Liaquat Pact, also known as
the Delhi Pact, was a bilateral
agreement signed between India and Pakistan in order to provide a framework for the treatment of minorities
in the two countries.
●
It was signed by the two country’s prime
ministers – Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan.
Need
for the pact:
●
The need for such a pact was felt by
minorities in both countries following Partition, which was accompanied by
massive communal rioting.
●
Even in 1950 over a million Hindus and
Muslims migrated to and from East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh), amidst
unspoken violence and communal tensions.
Agreement:
The Governments of India
and Pakistan solemnly agree that each shall ensure, to the minorities
throughout its territory such as
●
Complete equality of citizenship,
irrespective of religion.
●
A full sense of security in respect of
life, culture, property and personal honour.
●
Freedom of movement within each country.
●
Freedom of occupation, speech and worship,
subject to law and morality.
●
Members of the minorities shall have equal
opportunity with members of the majority community to:
○
Participate in the public life of their
country.
○
To hold political or other office.
○
To serve in their country’s civil and
armed forces.