LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY OF QUAID-I-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH TOWARD HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT:A HISTORICAL REVIEW

Abstract

This study provides a historical review of the legislative advocacy of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah toward the advancement of human rights in the Indian Subcontinent. It examines Jinnah’s role as a parliamentarian, constitutional advocate, and political leader who consistently emphasized civil liberties, minority safeguards, and equality before law, and democratic rights within colonial legislative institutions. Drawing on extensive primary documents, including proceedings of the Imperial Legislative Council and Central Legislative Assembly, Jinnah’s parliamentary speeches, legislative debates, official periodicals, contemporary newspapers, and archival documents, the research reconstructs his rights-based legislative agenda from 1910 to 1947. Supplementary insights are derived from scholarly journals, historical analyses, and secondary literature to contextualize his interventions. The findings show that Jinnah’s legislative work ranging from advocacy for rule of law and due process to opposition against repressive colonial acts significantly shaped early human rights discourse in South Asia. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how his constitutional politics laid the groundwork for rights-oriented principles later embedded in Pakistan’s legal and political framework.