Home Journal List Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume 52 Article Details

Shahidgang Mosque Dispute: A Reappraisal

Abstract

Shaheed Ganj Mosque dispute between the Sikhs and Muslims erupted in 1935 and contaminated the peaceful religious atmosphere of Punjab. Overreaction of both the communities particularly of their religious and political leaders complicated the issue which finally was addressed by the Lahore High Court. But this dispute had created a wide gulf between the Sikhs and the Muslims which culminated into the open hostility in 1940s especially on the eve of the partition of India and the division of the Punjab. Much has been written on the causes, events and the implications of the Shaheed Ganj Mosque Dispute but historians have not given academic attention to the response of the Punjab legislature which consisted of the elected members of the main communities of Punjab namely Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. Their views, actions and policies determine the future of their communities. Therefore, it is of immense importance to study the response of the legislators of these communities in the Punjab Legislative Council. While focusing on the Sikh-Muslim relations during 1930s with reference to the Shaheed Ganj Mosque issue, the paper tries to uncover the thoughts and actions of the Legislators of the Sikh and Muslim communities in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. This paper, hopefully, will a research gap in the existing historical literature in the history of colonial Punjab.

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