Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan played a crucial role in the freedom struggle and propagated non-violence. He is also known as Bacha Khan or the “Frontier Gandhi.”
He was a famous Indian Independence activist and political and spiritual leader. He firmly believes on the tenets of nonviolence and an advocate of Hindu Muslim unity. Due to his closeness with Gandhi and staunch preacher of nonviolence he got the epithet of “Sarhadi Gandhi” (The Frontier Gandhi).
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was born on February 6, 1890, in Utmanzai, Pakistan. He belonged to the Pashtun community. Despite having violence and turbulence in the tribal areas he dedicated his life for peace and upliftment of the marginalized.
Khudai Khidmatgar Movement
Ghaffar Khan advocated unified India and opposed the idea of partition. Against the colonial rule and boost the nonviolent resistance movement against the Britishers he founded the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) movement, in 1929. It is also known as Red Shirt Movement (Surkh Posh). The success of his movement in the region irks the colonial government. He strongly advocated the end of the British colonial regime and stood firmly for unified independent India. Ghaffar Khan actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and the Quit India Movement (July 14, 1942). He was sent to prison many times during freedom movement.
Partition of India: Blow to Ghaffar Khan
The Partition of India in 1947 was a deep personal and political blow to Ghaffar Khan. He opposed the division of the subcontinent along religious lines and warned against the consequences of such a move. He opposed the proposal of the Partition of India into Pakistan and India. He joined hand with Indian National Congress and All-India Azad Muslim Conference who were advocating a unified independent India. He opposed to join the pro-partition All-India Muslim League. Ghaffar Khan was deeply anguished when Indian National Congress accepted the plan of partition. He was jolted as Indian National Congress took the decision to accept partition without consulting with the Khudai Khidmatgar leaders.
Demand for Pashtunistan
Ghaffar Khan was shattered by the stance of Indian National Congress on the plan of partition. On June 21, 1947, leaders of Khudai Khidmatgar passed the Bannu Resolution. In this resolution they demanded and independent state of Pashtunistan from the British authorities. They declined from becoming the part of Pakistan. Leaders of Khudai Khidmatgar demanded independent country for ethnic Pashtuns. But the British regime turns down the demands mentioned in this resolution. The area dominated by the Pashtuns was merged in Pakistan. Later, in 1956 Ghaffar Khan was arrested by Pakistan government for opposing “one unit scheme.”
Bharat Ratan to Ghaffar Khan
In recognition of his contributions to peace and humanity, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1987. Ghaffar Khan advocated gender equality, eradication of caste and class discrimination, promotion of literacy and empowerment of the weaker section of society. He died on January 20, 1988 in Peshawar.