Majlis-i-Ahrar-ul-Islam as a Political Party: Stance on Struggle and Resistance in Kashmir (1931-32)

Abstract

The abolition of the khilafat institution creates the space for religion in Politics. Majlis-e-Ahrar is one of the byproducts of this incident. Its politics have influenced the whole region of India, but its activity has centered mainly in Punjab. Majlis-e-Ahrar was the complex interplay between religion, politics, and colonial resistance. This party is not credited in the political discourse of Pakistan despite having an important and glaring role in the 1930s politics of Punjab. The role played by Ahrar in agitation against the despotic ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra, needs valid appreciation. This research paper will investigate the causes of its foundation, aims, and objectives, as well as the role in agitation in Kashmir during 1931-1932. Exploring the role of Majlis-e-Ahrar in the agitation of Kashmir offers critical insights into how religion and religious sentiments are employed to evoke mass mobilization and garner political support in the political arena.

Key words: Majlis-e-Ahrar, Agitational Politics, Kashmir, Religion.