There were a number of reasons for the clash on March 19th. During the late 1930s, the Khaksar Tehrik had emerged as an incredibly powerful organization in the Indian subcontinent. Its strength was revealed in 1939 during a clash with the Government of U.P. over the Sunni-Shia riots in Lucknow (U.P.). Fearing the Tehrik’s growing popularity, anti-Khaksar elements attempted to suppress the Movement. Punjab Premier Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan (also member of the Working Committee of the All-India Muslim League) who opposed the Khaksars, with the support of the anti-Khaksar elements, took the first step towards banning the Khaksar Tehrik. On February 22, 1940, Punjab police raided Mohammadi Steam Press (printer of the Khaksar weekly, “Al-Islah”) in Lahore and confiscated copies of the “Al-Islah” along with printed Khaksar materials and pamphlets. Within a few days of this raid (on February 28, 1940), the Punjab Government issued a Press Communique (under the Defense of India Rules), according to which Khaksar activities were banned. [Read More]

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings