Tagheyyur.

This interview is divided into series for easy reading purpose. You can read parts I , II , III and IV as mentioned. During freedom movement, the Muslims sadly didn't have access to different forms of media as Indian Congress had. Congress even had voices in British Parliament which spoke on their behalf; ruling Muslims totally out of mainstream. As a result, common English person didn't know which minorities existed in sub-continent and what was their stance. In this backdrop, they were unaware of Muslims' struggles and how they were subjugated. And so they were in favor of United India. Also, it was (and also today) falsely believed that British wanted to create Pakistan. It is one of the greatest lies of history. Quaid-e-Azam made it a point in many of his speeches that "it was the common man who came first. You (educated people) came later" [for Pakistan Movement]. It is also discussed in detail in Mr. Khurram Ali Shafique's new book, Aazadi (u...

Aazadi book lays down the journey of freedom from slavery and foreign rule. This book breaks so many idols and brings out shocking facts, yes facts which were literally erased from our books, minds, hearts. It rightly claims that if only we accept what is presented in this book we will have our legacy again., and it is not a mere wish of the author but what our hailed ancestors struggled and lived for. Where do we come from? Why did we come out of India? How did it happen and many more likely questions are answered in this book. It is usually wrongly believed that there was mutual hate among Muslims, Hindus and Britishers and thats how Pakistan came into being. The author discusses this lie which is fed especially to young Muslim of Pakistan. The hate was not mutual. Neither it always existed. Hindus and Muslims lived peacefully in Muslim Empire. Muslim Emperors went out of their ways to keep the peace for Hindus and not make them feel they were ruled by foreigners....

  (Int erview continues) SELF(BN): And does that also apply to defense? JINNAH: Of course it applies to defense. Once again I will ask you a question. How is Afghanistan defended? Well? The answer is not very complicated. By the Afghans. Just that. We are a brave and united people who are prepared to work and, if neces- sary, fight. So how does the question of defence present any peculiar difficulties? In what way do we differ from other nations? From Iran, for example? Obviously, there will have to be a transition period. We are not asking the British to quit India overnight. The British have helped to make this gigantic muddle, and they must stay and help to clear it up. But before they can do that, they will have to do a lot of hard thinking. And that reminds me I have something I would like to show you. He excused himself and left the room. I lit a cigarette and waited. And suddenly I realized that something very remarkable was happening, or rather was ...

This is the third part of the interview series. You can read previous parts here and here . Beverly Nichols interviewed Quaid-e-Azam in 1943 and included it in his book "Verdict On India". He was quite taken with Quaid's personality. Look how he describes him [Jinnah] in the chapter when he reached at his place to meet him.  THE most important man in Asia is sixty-seven, tall, thin, and elegant, with a monocle on a grey silk cord, and a stiff white collar which he wears in the hottest weather. [...] I have called Mr. Jinnah 'the most important man in Asia That was to ensure that you kept him spotlit in your mind. Like all superlatives the description is open to argument, but it is not really so far from the truth. India is likely to be the world's greatest problem for some years to come, and Mr. Jinnah is in a position of unique strategic importance. He can sway the battle this way or that as he chooses.    JINNAH: [with a smile] What other question...

It is a common notion that Quaid-e-Azam united Muslims of India but it is hardly ever acknowledged that the Muslims of India were an organic entity and it was growing on its own terms especially after 1857. This aspect is discussed in depth in my teacher's book "Azaadi" in which he describes painstakingly how Muslim Nation evolved and Pakistan came into being. I am by no means diminishing Quaid's role in freedom movement, no. What I mean to highlight is the Muslims of India had developed their intuition and they were growing onto that. Quaid himself always believed that the people had bestowed the power upon him and not vice versa. He acknowledged this principle number of times. For example, when he was proposing the 14 points for Muslim League he clearly conveyed that these are only suggestions based upon numerous meetings with different minority groups within India and it is unto these groups whether they accept them or reject them.  Here, in below responses al...

My teacher Khurram Ali Shafique sahab recommended me a book, "Verdict On India". There was a chapter in which the writer,  Beverly Nichols interviewed Jinnah in 1943. Though Jinnah promised to give him just half an hour but they actually talked for three hours, concerning matters of wide range.  This post is part of a series where I am going to break down this interview into smaller posts for effective reading.  What I found profound about this interview is the stature of Quaid-e-Azam. The power in his answers is almost tangible. You can feel the strength of his argument and relive the faith which the Muslims of that time felt when they were in Quaid's presence.  Its also amusing (for me) that this interview is sort of an elder is admonishing a child of stupid behavior. Or may be Pakistan has been so much a reality for us that we almost (mentally) accuse different nations of not seeing it so. May be every national feels the same for their country which we fe...