National Conference and Iqbal By Zahir-ud-Din Published: Wed, 03 July 2013 01:37 AM Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was a human being with great qualities, and weaknesses too. Kashmiris, by and large, hate him. However, there are some people who still love him and consider him their saviour. But nobody can afford to ignore him. He has monopolized Kashmir politics for five decades (1931-81). Understanding him, therefore, becomes necessary for understanding the Kashmir conflict. A well-known English commentator, GB Shaw has said: “All autobiographies are lies. I do not mean unconscious, unintentional lies: I mean deliberate lies. No man is bad enough to tell the truth about himself during his lifetime, involving, as it must, the truth about his family and his friends and colleagues. And no man is good enough to tell the truth to posterity in a document which he suppresses until there is nobody left alive to contradict him.” A biography, therefore, has to be cross-checked and analyzed thoroughly, especially when it is of great historic importance. In Aatish-e-Chinar, Sheikh Abdullah writes that Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal persuaded him to facilitate participation of non-Muslims in the freedom struggle by opening the doors of Muslim Conference for them. However, it stands disproved by Allama’s letters to Jinnah. In one such letter Iqbal writes: “The atheistic socialism of Jawahar Lal Nehru is not likely to receive much response from the Muslims. Happily there is a solution in the enforcement of the law of Islam and its further development in the light of modern ideas. After a long and careful study of Islamic Law I have come to the conclusion that if this system of law is properly understood and applied, at least the right to subsistence is secured to everybody. But the endorsement and development of the Shariah of Islam is impossible in the country without a free Muslim state or states.” In the same letter Iqbal further says: “…It is necessary to redistribute the country and to provide one or more Muslim states with absolute majorities. Don’t you think that the time for such a demand has already arrived? Perhaps that is the best reply you can give to the atheistic socialism of Jawahar Lal Nehru.” This historic letter was written in 1937, the year Sheikh Abdullah claims he met Iqbal to receive his sermon on secularism. The process of rechristening Muslim Conference (MC) started in 1933. The annual session of the organization was held at Mirpur (now in Pakistan-administered Kashmir) on September 15-17 with several resolutions passed on the concluding day. One of the resolutions sought participation of non-Muslims in the freedom struggle. The resolution was, by and large, welcomed by the members. A political biography has to be cross-checked and analyzed thoroughly, especially when it is of great historic importance. In Aatish-e-Chinar, Sheikh Abdullah writes that Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal persuaded him to facilitate participation of non-Muslims in the freedom struggle by opening the doors of Muslim Conference for them. However, it stands disproved by Allama’s letters to Jinnah However, some described it a conspiracy against Muslim unity. The resolution also evoked reaction from Iqbal. The great poet in his letter, dated October 12, 1933 urged Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to ensure unity of Muslims without fail. The conversion process was formally launched during the sixth annual session of the MC held on March 25-27, 1938 at Jammu. In his presidential address, Sheikh Abdullah stressed the need for ‘responsible government.’ Several resolutions were passed and the name of the organization was changed to ensure participation of non-Muslims in the struggle. A meeting was held at Srinagar. Muhammad Umar Bhat suggested creation of a new organization ‘National Congress’. However, on facing opposition Bhat created the National Congress and some people including Raghunath Vaishnavi, Seth Kishori Lal, Madan Lal, Ved Prakash and Ali Muhammad Bhat joined it. On June 24, 1938 a special meeting of the working committee of MC was held at Srinagar. Most of the members severely opposed creation of National Conference (NC). Moulvi Abdullah Vakil accused Sheikh Abdullah of a sell-out. Editor of Pasbaan, Syed Meraj- ud-Din Ahmad said: “The oath taken by Sheikh Abdullah, Dr Peshan, Ram Nath Shastri, Jia Lal Kilam and Kashap Bandhu to break the MC has been fulfilled.” A well-known leader from Jammu, Chowdhary Ghulam Abbas severely criticized the move. He said: “NC will become a mistress of Indian National Congress.” Sheikh Abdullah listened patiently but rejected the apprehensions of the members as unfounded. Finally Abbas consented to the conversion on the following conditions: NC shall have no truck with the Congress; the inclusion of non-Muslims should not harm the identity of the Muslims; Hindus and Muslims cannot unite. However, they can work together to achieve political goals; We hope sheikh Abdullah shall not take any step to harm the interests of Muslims. Sheikh Abdullah readily agreed to these conditions, but soon he was arrested along with some other leaders in connection with ‘responsible government’ agitation. In February the leaders were released, and by the end of May the stage was all set for the ‘infamous conversion’. On June 11 that year, NC was suggested as the new name of the organization. Some members stood up to express their views but Sheikh Abdullah did not allow them to do so. Moulvi Abdullah Vakil offered resistance. He said: “I have a right to express my views. I do not accept your decision.” Sheikh Abdullah told him to walk out of the room. Ghulam Ahmad Ganie, Sheikh Ahmad Din, Mirwaiz Ghulam Nabi Hamdani and seven others also walked out along with Vakil. #yabu#
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 13:21:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015