Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Pakistani activist and politician (b. 1890)

Abdul Ghaffar Khan: The Frontier Gandhi and Unwavering Advocate of Nonviolence

Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Pashto: عبدالغفار خان; born 6 February 1890, died 20 January 1988) was an extraordinary Pashtun political and spiritual leader, renowned for his lifelong commitment to nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule in India. Revered across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, he was known by several honorific titles that reflect his profound impact and character:

A devout Muslim, Khan’s commitment to pacifism was deeply rooted in his faith, which he believed advocated for peace, justice, and compassion. He was an ardent advocate for Hindu−Muslim unity, a crucial yet often divisive issue during the struggle for independence in the Indian subcontinent. His vision transcended communal divides, striving for a united and inclusive India where all communities could coexist peacefully.

The Khudai Khidmatgar: Servants of God and Nonviolent Warriors

In 1929, Abdul Ghaffar Khan founded the Khudai Khidmatgar (Pashto: خداى خدمتګار), meaning "Servants of God" – a powerful anti-colonial nonviolent resistance movement. Members of this movement were famously known as the "Red Shirts" (Surkh Posh) due to their distinctive reddish-brown uniforms, dyed with brick dust. This visual identity quickly became a symbol of their disciplined and unwavering commitment to nonviolence.

The Khudai Khidmatgar movement rapidly gained widespread support and popularity, particularly among the Pashtun people of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Their methods included peaceful protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience, facing severe repression with remarkable fortitude and adherence to their nonviolent vows. The success and growing influence of the Khudai Khidmatgar deeply unnerved the British colonial government, which responded with an escalating series of brutal crackdowns against Khan and his followers. The movement endured some of the most severe repression of the entire Indian independence movement, including mass arrests, beatings, and even firing upon unarmed protestors, yet their resolve remained unbroken.

Opposition to the Partition of India and the Betrayal

Abdul Ghaffar Khan stood as a staunch opponent of the proposed Partition of India, which envisioned the subcontinent's division into the Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan and the Hindu-majority Dominion of India. His vision was for a united India, believing that the division would sow discord and undermine the very fabric of the diverse society he had fought to liberate.

Consequently, he aligned himself with the pro-union Indian National Congress and the All-India Azad Muslim Conference (a significant body of nationalist Muslims who opposed the creation of Pakistan), standing firmly against the pro-partition All-India Muslim League. When the Indian National Congress, despite initial reservations, reluctantly declared its acceptance of the partition plan without consulting the Khudai Khidmatgar leadership, Khan felt a profound sense of betrayal. His heartbreaking words to the Congress leaders, "You have thrown us to the wolves," eloquently conveyed the despair and vulnerability he foresaw for the Pashtun community, whose future was being decided without their true consent.

The Demand for Pashtunistan: The Bannu Resolution

In June 1947, as the reality of Partition loomed, Khan and other Khudai Khidmatgar leaders formally issued the Bannu Resolution to the British authorities. This historic resolution demanded that the ethnic Pashtuns of British India be granted the choice of forming an independent state of Pashtunistan. This proposed state was envisioned to encompass all Pashtun territories within British India and specifically demanded that these regions not be forcibly integrated into the nascent state of Pakistan, whose creation was still underway.

However, the British government unequivocally refused to acknowledge or comply with the demands of the Bannu Resolution, thereby denying the Pashtun people a genuine right to self-determination. In response to this rejection and the limited choices offered, Khan and his elder brother, Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan (also known as Dr. Khan Sahib, a prominent political figure), strategically boycotted the 1947 North-West Frontier Province referendum. This referendum presented only two options: joining India or joining Pakistan, conspicuously omitting any provision for the Pashtun-majority province to become independent or to merge with neighboring Afghanistan, options that were vital to the Pashtun aspirations for self-rule.

Life After Partition: Continued Struggle and Imprisonment in Pakistan

After the Partition of India officially came into effect on 14 August 1947, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, with a pragmatic resolve to work within the new political reality for the rights of his people, pledged allegiance to the newly created nation of Pakistan. He chose to remain in the North-West Frontier Province, which was now part of Pakistan. However, his commitment to Pashtun rights and provincial autonomy frequently brought him into conflict with the new Pakistani government. Consequently, he endured numerous arrests and imprisonments between 1948 and 1954, often without trial, highlighting the nascent state's intolerance for dissent.

His opposition continued to be a thorn in the side of successive Pakistani governments. In 1956, he was again arrested for his vehement opposition to the "One Unit" program. This controversial government initiative aimed to merge all the disparate provinces of West Pakistan into a single administrative unit, ostensibly to match the political structure of East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Khan strongly opposed this move, viewing it as a deliberate attempt to erase the distinct cultural and administrative identities of smaller ethnic groups, including the Pashtuns, and to further centralize power.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan spent much of the 1960s and 1970s either incarcerated or in exile, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his principles despite severe personal cost. His long periods of confinement underscore the immense sacrifices he made for the rights and dignity of his people.

A Legacy Honored: Death and Extraordinary Funeral

Abdul Ghaffar Khan passed away on 20 January 1988, in Peshawar, while under house arrest. In accordance with his wishes, he was laid to rest at his house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, a choice that symbolized his deep connection to the broader Pashtun identity spanning both sides of the border. His funeral was an extraordinary event, attended by tens of thousands of mourners who traversed the historic Khyber Pass, marching from Peshawar towards Jalalabad. This massive outpouring of grief and respect demonstrated the immense reverence in which he was held across the region.

Remarkably, despite the intense fighting raging at the time due to the Soviet–Afghan War, both warring factions – the Soviet–Afghan government coalition and the Afghan mujahideen – declared an immediate and unprecedented ceasefire to allow for Khan's peaceful burial. This extraordinary gesture was a powerful tribute to his universal appeal and the profound respect he commanded from all sides, transcending bitter political and military divides. Tragically, the procession was marred by two bomb explosions, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people, a stark reminder of the volatile environment, yet it did not diminish the solemnity or significance of his final journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Who was Abdul Ghaffar Khan?
Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun freedom fighter and independence activist who played a pivotal role in the nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule in India. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and a lifelong advocate for peace and Hindu-Muslim unity.
Why was he called 'Frontier Gandhi'?
He earned the nickname 'Frontier Gandhi' due to his strong ideological similarities and close friendship with Mahatma Gandhi. Like Gandhi, he rigorously applied principles of nonviolence (Satyagraha) in his struggle for independence, particularly in the North-West Frontier Province, earning him this fitting title.
What was the Khudai Khidmatgar movement?
The Khudai Khidmatgar, meaning 'Servants of God', was a nonviolent anti-colonial resistance movement founded by Abdul Ghaffar Khan in 1929. Its members, famously known as the 'Red Shirts', practiced strict nonviolence even in the face of severe British repression.
What was Abdul Ghaffar Khan's stance on the Partition of India?
Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a staunch opponent of the Partition of India. He advocated for a united India and felt deeply betrayed when the Indian National Congress accepted the partition plan without consulting his movement, famously stating, "You have thrown us to the wolves."
Why was Abdul Ghaffar Khan buried in Jalalabad, Afghanistan?
Abdul Ghaffar Khan wished to be buried in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, which was his ancestral homeland and symbolized his deep connection to the broader Pashtun identity that extends across the Durand Line. His funeral also saw an extraordinary ceasefire between warring factions during the Soviet-Afghan War, highlighting his widespread respect.