Ayaz Khan
It is strongly believed by the secular rung of Pakistani society that the significance of Quaid’s speech of August 11, 1947, might have turned the direction of to-be born country towards a permanent redemption from myriad of problems in which the country is mired today, ranging from socio-economic issues to religious fanaticism. In his speech on 11 August, 1947, according to his official biographer, Hector Bolitho, Quaid made the greatest speech of his life, in which he said:
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of state…“
To call it fortunate, Quaid’s speech, later on, had a narrow escape from being censored before its publication. Altaf Husain, Editor of Dawn at the time, made the publication of speech inevitable.
Today, Quaid’s speech of 11 August, has become a central point to many debates among secular or liberal class, which still needs to have a consolidated foothold to thrive, and conservatives. However, the conservatives also have revolved around Quaid’s speeches to justify their stance regarding Pakistan as an Islamic State where Islamic rule (shariah) must be practiced in its true spirit.
Husain Haqqani, in his book ‘Pakistan between Mosque and Military’, writes that in a letter to the pir of Manki Sharif, in November 1945, Quaid clearly stated:
“It is needless to emphasize that the constituent Assembly which would be predominantly Muslim in its composition would be able to enact laws for Muslims, not inconsistent with the Shariat laws and Muslims will no longer be obliged to abide by the Un-Islamic laws…” he further argues that Quaid’s speeches predominantly had an Islamic tone whenever he (Quaid) addressed the League meeting in Muslim majority areas.
Husain Haqqani further writes, while addressing the Pathans, Quaid said:
“Do you want Pakistan or not? (shouts of Allah-o-Akbar) (God is great). Well, if you want Pakistan, vote for the League candidates. If we fail to realize our duty today you will be reduced to status of sudras (low castes) and Islam will be vanquished from India. I shall never allow Muslims to be slaves of Hindus.“
Given the ambiguity about Islamic or secular state as Quaid’s vision for Pakistan, both secular and conservative rungs of today’s Pakistan try to use the Quaid’s vision in the hue of their respective thoughts. Apart from conflict between opting for either secularism or Islamic rule (shariah) in principle to get the masses of Pakistan to follow, Pakistan had unfortunate leaders who left masses among numerous ideologies to follow due to which history coupled with interminable blunders.
In fact, our politicians, historians, religious scholars and intellectuals often make the initial part of Quaid’s speech of 11 August, 1947, while missing the integral part of the speech, central point to their debates. However, Quaid’s speech had also an important issue to point at: corruption. Unluckily, the menace of corruption and misuse of power that Quaid wrote to be one of the core issues for any country that had emerged on the map vis-a-vis for Pakistan have taken root within the government as well society.
Remembering past is the part of national pride, but merely making history responsible for today’s Pakistan is like to keep oneself stranded in marsh of blunders. Corruption and misuse of power are not new phenomenon. Corruption, which Quaid feared the most, started taking root soon after the migration in 1947 and Evacuee Committee was the first scandal of its type.
Similarly, misuse of power and menace of taking loan started after the inception as well. Quaid himself, to be fair, misused the power of Prime Minister although he had a ceremonial position as Governor General. But, justifying the blunders of past for making further blunders is unwise. Can we ever have a sane and rationale thought to box up our old mistakes and throw them away to start a new journey with a new vision for building a secure future, fortified with harmony and peace, for our coming generations?
Writer is a student; pursuing his Masters Degree in Mass Communication. He is an avid reader as well as a bibliophile.
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