Jinnah's Amendments & Fourteen Points: Demands for Autonomy & Representation

Jinnah’s Amendments (1928) and Fourteen Points (1929) reflected the growing divergence between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. While his proposed changes to the Nehru Report sought Muslim safeguards and stronger provincial autonomy, their rejection prompted Jinnah to frame his Fourteen Points, which became the League’s charter of demands in India’s constitutional debate.

Jinnah’s Amendments (1928) and Fourteen Points (1929): Demands for Muslim Safeguards

• Jinnah’s Amendments to the Nehru Report (1928)

  At the All Parties Conference in Calcutta (December 1928), Jinnah proposed several amendments to the Nehru Report, aiming to protect Muslim political rights. These proposals emphasized representation and provincial autonomy.

  • Context

    • (i) The Nehru Report recommended dominion status and joint electorates.
    • (ii) Jinnah objected, demanding explicit safeguards for Muslims.

  • Proposed Amendments

    • (i) One-third Muslim representation in the central legislature.
    • (ii) Reservation of Muslim seats in Punjab and Bengal, proportionate to population.
    • (iii) Residual powers to provinces, not the center.

  • Outcome

    • (i) The amendments were rejected by the conference.
    • (ii) This deepened the rift between Congress and Muslim League.

• Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)

  In March 1929, Jinnah formulated his famous Fourteen Points. These became the Muslim League’s official charter and defined its stance in constitutional negotiations.

  • Overview

    • (i) The points stressed federalism, provincial autonomy, and Muslim representation.
    • (ii) They served as a counter-response to the Nehru Report.

  • The Fourteen Points

    • (i) Federal constitution with residual powers to provinces.
    • (ii) Full provincial autonomy.
    • (iii) No central amendment without state concurrence.
    • (iv) Adequate Muslim representation in legislatures and elected bodies.
    • (v) Reservation of Muslim seats in services and local bodies.
    • (vi) One-third Muslim representation in the central legislature.
    • (vii) One-third Muslim ministers in central and provincial cabinets.
    • (viii) Continuation of separate electorates.
    • (ix) No bill passed if opposed by three-fourths of a minority group.
    • (x) No territorial redistribution affecting Muslim majorities in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP.
    • (xi) Separation of Sindh from Bombay.
    • (xii) Reforms for NWFP and Baluchistan.
    • (xiii) Full religious freedom guaranteed.
    • (xiv) Protection of Muslim culture, language, education, and religion.

• Evaluation and Historical Significance

  The rejection of Jinnah’s Amendments (1928) and the articulation of his Fourteen Points (1929) marked a decisive turn in Indian politics. The Muslim League now had a clear constitutional agenda, emphasizing minority rights and provincial autonomy.

  In summary, Jinnah’s demands symbolized the Muslim League’s shift from cooperation to confrontation with Congress. While the Fourteen Points failed to reconcile Hindu–Muslim divisions, they laid the foundation for the League’s future political claims, ultimately contributing to the demand for Pakistan.