Archive · 14 Aug 2025
Scholar: Gandhi & Nehru 'Saved' Pakistan, Jinnah Wanted Different Outcome
Imagine two new countries were made from one.
One leader wanted people from one group to leave his new country, but he didn't want people from another group to leave their country.
A scholar says that if other leaders hadn't helped, many more people would have moved to the new country, which could have made it fall apart.
The scholar points out that one leader even gave his life to help.
He also says that this decision created problems that still exist today.
An undated video features Ishtiaq Ahmed discussing Partition and its impact on Pakistan.
Ahmed suggests Gandhi and Nehru's actions prevented a population crisis in Pakistan by discouraging mass Muslim migration from India.
Jinnah reportedly wanted Hindus and Sikhs out of Pakistan but desired Indian Muslims to remain in India.
The article notes the irony of this perspective, given Pakistan's historical narrative.
The article highlights the long-term consequences and communal scars left in India due to Partition.
- Who
- Ishtiaq Ahmed, Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- What
- An analysis of Partition and the roles of key figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah, based on comments by Ishtiaq Ahmed.
- When
- Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.
- Where
- India and Pakistan.
- Why
- To analyze the impact of Partition, particularly the population dynamics, and the actions of key figures involved.
Pakistan's Founding Narrative
India's Perspective
Narrative of Partition
Pakistan's Founding Narrative
Partition was the triumph of Jinnah's vision
India's Perspective
Pakistan was sustained, in part, by India's restraint, according to Ahmed.
- Key Figures
- Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, Ishtiaq Ahmed, B.R. Ambedkar
- Event
- Partition of India and Pakistan
- Ahmed's claim
- Gandhi and Nehru 'saved' Pakistan by preventing mass Muslim migration
- Jinnah's Stance
- Wanted Hindus and Sikhs out of Pakistan; wanted Indian Muslims to stay in India
- Ambedkar's View
- Advocated for complete population exchange