Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
1. What was the Nehru-Liaquat Agreement of 1950 that was recently referred to in the debates for Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019? Discuss its salient features (250 Words)
Why this question:
Amit Shah referred to the Nehru-Liaquat pact on a few occasions in Parliament to justify the Citizenship Bill.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the salient features of Nehru-Liaquat Agreement of 1950.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by stating that It was an agreement between the Governments of India and Pakistan regarding Security and Rights of Minorities that was signed in Delhi in 1950 between the Prime ministers of India and Pakistan, Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan.
Body:
Discuss why the pact came into existence –
The need for such a pact was felt by minorities in both countries following the partition, which was accompanied by massive communal rioting.
In 1950, as per some estimates, over a million Hindus and Muslims migrated from and to East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh), amid communal tension and riots such as the 1950 East Pakistan riots and the Noakhali riots.
Explain the salient features of the pact and associated nuances.
Under the Nehru-Liaquat pact –
- Refugees were allowed to return unmolested to dispose of their property.
- Abducted women and looted property were to be returned.
- Forced conversions were unrecognized.
- Minority rights were confirmed.
Conclusion:
Conclude with relevance of it as of today.
