Jinnah: "Pakistan was the biggest blunder of my life"
MoinA
DISCUSION GOING ON soc.culture.pakistan.history
> Time magazine recently published an article in which it was reported
that
> Muhammad Ali Jinnah told his doctor on his death bed "Pakistan was the
> biggest blunder of my life."
One statement by Time (that is unconfirmed)....DOES NOT defy a lifetime of
work for Pakistan...let us see a THOUSAND words for the Quaid...looking
forward to a LOT OF YOUR POSTINGS on soc.culture.pakistan.history.
Stanley Wolpert in his book Jinnah of Pakistan says the following about
Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammed Ali Jinnah:
Few Individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still
modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a
nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three. Hailed as Great Leader
of Pakistan and its first governor general, Jinnah virtually conjured that
country into statehood by the force of his indomitable will .
Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammed Ali Jinnah said that:
the differences in India, between the two major nations, the Hindus and
the Muslims are a thousand times greater when compared with the continent
of Europe. India is not a national state, India is not a country, but a
sub-continent composed of nationalities, the two nations being Hindus and
Muslims whose culture and civilization, language and literature, art and
architecture, name and nomenclature, sense of value and proportion, laws
and jurisprudence, social and moral codes, customs and calendar, history
and traditions, aptitudes and ambitions, outlook on life and of life are
fundamentally different nay in many respects antagonistic .
Jinnah was clearly proclaiming that Muslim majority areas must be given
autonomy to form their own destiny. The original proposal was to form
various Muslim and Hindu, and Buddhist states in India, returning India to
its pre-colonial condition. In fact the Lahore Resolution called for more
then one Muslim state in the subcontinent.
According to Stanley Wolpert and Dominique La Peirre Quaid-e-Azam,
Mohammad Ali Jinnah was constantly trying to get ALL of Bengal and ALL of
Punjab for Pakistan. He in fact had seduced the Hindu states of Jaiselmer
and Junagarh to join Pakistan. They had agreed. Our Quaid fought tooth and
nail for a Pakistan that included Hyderabad, Junagarh, Jaiselmir, and ALL
of Bengal and Punjab. He called Pakistan with partitioned Bengal and
Punjab as a moth eaten Pakistan . In Freedom at Midnight Collins
prolifcaly describes Lord Montbatten s ultimatum to Jinnah. Take the
moth-eaten Pakistan or go to hell . Jinnah accepted the moth eaten
Pakistan as a last resort. He had no choice. If was either this or NO
PAKISTAN at all. Mountbatten had made his very clear. If Pakistan had been
created according to the Quaid s dream, we would have a more tolerant
subcontinent.
While asking for Pakistan Mohommad Ali Jinna's said "you have seen the
ruled Hindus and not the
ruler Hindus". His words are ringing true.
JINNAH THE MUSLIM ADVOCATE
What did Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah say when questioned on his
Muslimness by a delegation of young Muslims in 1943?
You want to know if I observe the tenets of Islam? Most emphatically I
do, and it is my sincere desire that I should follow Islam in letter and
spirit which I consider to be a perfect religion applying to every aspect
of our life. But I am not a Maulana. I am simply an advocate who is
pleading the Muslim case for Pakistan with the British Government. Like an
honest lawyer, I am arguing the case in the most forceful manner I can. I
am not fleecing my clients by charging them excessive fees, nor do I
grudge time in preparing my case. I cannot be overawed by the British
Government as I have a strong conviction about the justice of the cause I
plead.
If there is any other Muslim or Maulana who is prepared to take up the
Muslim case and plead it more forcefully, let him come forward. I will
withdraw, make room for him and extend him my full support. But so long as
the Muslims continue to repose confidence in me, I will continue to guide
the destinies of my nation. As regards my private or public life, it is
open for all. I conceal nothing from my people. Of course, I avoid
unnecessary publicity and do not seek opportunities for it. You call me
Quaid-i-Azam out of respect, but I do not insist on being called so. It is
a matter that concerns my people. They may address me in any way they
like.
This is taken from a booklet by MS Toosy, who was a political writer of
the Muslim League and wrote numerous articles in the early 40s. He worked
closely with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and collected a few of his
interviews and talks with him during Nov 1942 to May 1943 under the title
My Reminiscences of Quaid-i-Azam (1976; National Book Foundation,62pp).
These words were uttered in 1924. Twenty-three years later he was to be
elected unanimously
to preside over the meeting of Pakistan's Constituent Assembly. Addressing
the august house
on August 11, 1947 he said: "... the first duty of a government is to
maintain law and order, so
that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully
protected by the state .... One
of the biggest curses from which India is suffering is bribery and
corruption. That really is a
poison. We must put it down with an iron hand. The next thing that strikes
me is ... the evil of
nepotism and jobbery. This evil must be crushed relentlessly. I want to
make it clear that I shall
never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any influence directly or
indirectly to bear upon
me."
______________________________________________________________
Earlier in April 1943, the Quaid had given expression to his views on
social justice and
economic equality. "Here I should like to give a warning to the landlords
and capitalists. The
exploitation of the masses has gone into their blood. They have forgotten
the lesson of Islam ....
Do you visualise that millions have been exploited and cannot get one meal
a day? If this is the
idea of Pakistan, I would not have it. If they are wise they will have to
adjust themselves to the
new conditions of life. If they don't, God help them, we shall not help
them."
____________________________________________________________
Nirad Chaudhuri, a fierce opponent of partition and by no means a friendly
critic writes: "Jinnah
was the only man who came out with success and honour from the ignoble end
of the British
empire in India. He never made a secret of what he wanted, never
prevaricated, never
compromised and yet succeeded in inflicting an unmitigated defeat on both
the British
government and the Indian National Congress. I salute Jinnah as an honest
and honourable
enemy and acknowledge his greatness."
________________________________________________________________
When Lord Reading, Viceroy of India, offered to include the Quaid's name
on the coveted list
of persons he was recommending for knighthood, the Quaid declined the
offer and replied: "I
prefer to be plain Mr Jinnah. I have lived as plain Mr Jinnah and I hope
to die as plain Mr
Jinnah."
By A GHOSH
Below is a true copy of Zakir Husain's letter addressed to Mohammed
Ali Jinnah written, June 10, 1947 just prior to the partition of
India. This letter was published in full in the daily Dawn of
Pakistan, August 14, 1990. It may be worthwhile to publish the letter
in full (as it had been published in the Dawn for its readers in
Pakistan) for the information of your readers here. Indian newspapers
had, under government compulsion, suppressed the letter and thus kept
our compatriots ignorant as always.
In his letter, Zakir had proposed a great number of names to Jinnah
and many were hired by him in the service of Pakistan. However, Jinnah
did not hire Zakir although he had offered his services as well.
Jinnah perhaps had thought it treasonous on the part of Zakir to have
offered his services to Pakistan, an enemy country; Jinnah, a wise
man, would rather leave him where he is harmless to him, to wit, in
India, inside the enemy ranks. No doubt, eventually Zakir became the
first Muslim Rashtrapati of secular India.
The subject of Zakir's building a mosque inside the secular
Rashtrapati Bhavan too had been kept a well -guarded secret from the
Indian public by the Government of India. The cat came out of the bag
when during one of his visits, the wily Zia-ul-Huq of Pakistan wanted
to recite his khutba at the Jama Masjid of Old Delhi. The Indian
Government did not let him go near the Jama Mosque for fear of wide-
spread pro-Pakistani euphoria among secular Muslims of India and
possible blood shed and that too after decades-old drum-beat of Hindu-
Muslim Bhai-Bhai slogans. Zia was told instead that he could read his
Namaz in Rashtrapati Bhavan's own mosque that had been built by Zakir
Husain during his tenure, on the quiet. That is how we knew. quite by
chancy ittefaqan.
Regarding Nawab Khan's son Feroz's change of name from Khan to Gandhi,
the idea did not come to Firoz's head. lithe idea to change the name
by an affidavit came from the apostle of truth, the Mahatma. Readers
need to read up KN Rao's hook titled The Nehru Dynasty published in
New Delhi by the Window Publications. What is surprising is that the
Government has not banned that book as yet. May be the changed
Government indeed wants now to catch up with missing chapters.
[14th August 1990]
Historical Letter To Quaid-i-Azam Traced
By H. A. HAMMED
KARACHI: August 13: A rare, unpublished letter written by Dr. Zakir
Husain 43 years ago to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah has been
deposited at Bait al-Hikmat, the Hamdard's new library, at Bund Murad.
The letter throws light on the selection of officials to assist him
"during the nascent period of Pakistan State."
Dr. Zakir Husain, who later became vice-president and the President of
India. wrote the letter from Madras on t June I0, 1947. This was among
a large number of documents handed over to Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, a
researcher on the Quaid, by Muhtarma Shirin Hunah Bai. Written on the
letter head of Jamia Millia Islamia (National Muslim University),
Jaminanager, Delhi, it mentions the names of the leading Muslims in
the subcontinent whose services could be availed of for "Pakistan
which your almost super-human efforts have brought into being."
Dr. Zakir Husain's letter, which begins with "Respected Quaid-i-Azam,"
recalled that the latter had asked him at the Afghan Independence Day
function to suggest names of persons whose services could be availed
of for Pakistan. He started with the names of Sir Abdur Rahim and Sir
Zafrullah Khan for the Constitution-making job and to assist them on
the academic side, the names of Dr. I. H. Qureshi of the Delhi
University and Dr. Mahmood Husain of Dacca University were suggested.
Continuing on the Constitution making issues, Dr. Zakir Husain also
mentioned two names of younger lawyers, Mahmood Parpia of Bombay and
Mohammed Shamim, Bar-at-law, MLC of Lucknow, to do "much of the spade
work." After the Constitution making issue, Dr. Zakir Husain mentioned
the names of some persons related with subjects.
After the constitution making issue, Dr. Zakir Husain mentioned the
names of some persons related with subjects, such as finance,
currency, communication, armed forces, industrial development, etc.
Three names were suggested for handling issues of finance, currency
and distribution of assets. They were Mr. Mohammed Ali, at that time
military financial adviser to the Government of India; Mr. Zahid
Husain of Aligarh and Sir Ghulam Mohammed of Bombay.
For matters relating to communications, he had recommended the names
of Mr. Z. H. Khan of the Railway Board, Mr. M. Farooq, General
Manager, East India Railway; Mian Nizamuddin, General Manager, Nizam
State Railway, and liar. Zahid Husain who was for some time financial
adviser to the Railways in India. Mr. Zahid Husain "will also be
useful on questions relating to Post and Telegraph," and to assist him
the names of Sir Ghulam Mohammed and Mr. Mohammed Zaman Khan, a
retired postmaster general, were mentioned.
"On question relating to the Army, H. H. the Ruler of Bhopal and Mr.
Mohammed Ali can be expected to advise on Indian conditions. On major
question of defense, I feel some foreign expert advise will be needed.
But the official formal adviser should, I think, be an Indian Muslim,"
the letter continued. For matters relating to industrial development,
the names of Mr. A. Ispahani, Sir Ghulam Mohammed, "and may be Mr.
Akbar Fazalbhoy of Bombay should prove useful."
The letter said:
"If I can be of any service in the forming of
educational program, I shall deem it a privilege to be able to do so."
Concluding the hand-written letter, Dr. Zakir Husain said: "These are
just a few names I have been able to think of. I am sure under your
inspiring leadership competent Muslims will be able to give a good
account of themselves in the development of Pakistan . "I am in Madras
at present in connection with a conference of the International
Students Service and hope to return to Delhi by the 17th.
With respectful regards, yours sincerely,
Zakir Husain.
Courtesey: India Post, Fremont, California
THE MODERN MOSES
Foreword by the Author, E.H.Enver
Dated: August 30, 1990
Karachi
I have kept this book in mind since 1943. Some research began,
in California, in 1972 when I started my work on "the drafting
of the UN charter" for a higher degree. For the last ten years it
has been a serious undertaking with the help of records made
available by the British Library (London). Transcripts/
Translations of Crown-copy right records in the India Office
Records appear by permission of the Controller of Her Majester's
Stationry Office. This invaluable help included expert reponses
to some of my difficult queries. Naturally I have read many
books, consulted British and American published records. I have
known and worked with political and official associates of
Mr. Jinnah, who were generous in sharing their recollections. So
my debt of gratitude is really immense and is gratefully
acknowledged.
The title of the script to create scriptures is abridged by the
vast concourse of communications with powerful claims to
human attention. Brevity has also been nurtured by a long stint
in the civil service. It also has enjoined care even for the smallest
detail. This should explain the less than impressive girth of the
book.
It is a labour of love and I hope it shall be so received. As Pascal
has said, "Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait point".
I have therefore excluded some of the formalities e.g.
bibliography and let the text speak for itself.
The Modern Moses
(A Brief Biography of M.A. Jinnah)
INTRODUCTION:
The Jinnah Memorial Institute has published "The Modern Moses"
a brief biography of M.A. Jinnah as a part of its effort to
acquaint the present generation with the life and works of the
leaders of the Pakistan Movement.
The cold war imposed the cruel necessity of suprression and
distortion of facts. The "Modern Moses" will help the readers
to cast away the malevolent myths woven around the person
and the principles of Qaid.
The Pakistan Movement was a continuation of our historic
struggle since 1857. Our generation is not fully aware of it
and its potential. We must know the path we have followed
so as to chart our tryst with destiny and accuracy and
confidence. In these "footprints on the sands of time", we
can find with certitude those sublime values and goals which
are the warp and woof of our great faith and civilization.
- Miss Durr-e-Sameen Sheikh
HAD THERE BEEN NO JINNAH, p 17
Instead of floating riddles with the apparent intention to create
confusion in the younger generation of Pakistan, Wali Khan should state
facts as they are. Right upto 15th Aug 1947 all English statesmen wanted
and strived to keep India united, with a Form of Government wherein
Hindus would, in perpetuity be a majority. For their own reasons, Wali
Khan, as also Abdul Ghaffar Khan, wanted a United India, with perpetual
Hindu Majority , in the Central Legislature. Whoever voiced against
perpetual Hindu Majority Rule was, in the opinion of the Hindus and Abdul
Ghaffar Khan etc., a traiter to their cause.
Quotes,
Mountbatten by Ziegler -
p.393
Mountbatten had far closer links with the Congress party than with the
Muslim League. V.P.Menon was among his closet advisers - and provided a
constant line of communication with Sardar Patel.
p.368
Mountbatten argued endlessly the case for a Unified India . Jinnah gave
no counter arguments. He gave the impression that he was not listening. It
was more than an impression; to all intents and purposes, he was not
listening.
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