Malik Barkat Ali was a close associate and confidant of both Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-e-Azam
Malik Barkat Ali was a close associate and confidant of both Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-e-Azam.
He actively participated in political struggle for an independent Muslim majority welfare state where they could live in peace with members of other faiths, free from coercion and economic discrimination of Hindu majority.
Unfortunately he died of cardiac failure on 5 April 1946, a year before Pakistan was created. At a special session of the AIML held in 1946 attended by 470 elected Muslim members, the Quaid paid him glowing tribute: “I am deeply grieved to hear the very depressing and sad news of the sudden death of Malik Barkat Ali.
He was from the very beginning a true and loyal member of the Muslim League, and on all occasions, he rendered the greatest service to Muslim India. His advice and staunch support on all occasions was of greatest value to the League and myself.
Muslim India has lost in him a great man, and I have lost in him not only a colleague, a collaborator, but also a great friend. My deepest sympathies go out to his family in their bereavement for their irreparable loss”.
The Quaid’s trust and faith in Malik Barkat Ali can be gauged from an event narrated in the book “Plain Mr Jinnah” written by Syed Shamsul Hassan, Secretary of AIML based on personal papers and documents of the Quaid, with instructions to reveal these sensitive documents ten years after his death. On 23 July 1944 the Unionist-led Punjab government under instruction of the Governor Punjab issued notices to Mohammed Ali Jinnah for acquisition of his Bungalow No 53 located in Lahore Cantonment under the Defence of India Act to prevent him from active participation in affairs of the Punjab Muslim League. The book contains a letter written by MAJ seeking legal advice of Malik Barkat Ali on this personal matter.
MBA started his career in 1905 as assistant professor in English at the FC College in Lahore after doing his MA, followed by a brief stint in government service as treasury officer, from which he resigned in January 1914 and started working as editor of weekly Observer in April. Events in Turkey after WW1, followed by clampdown on Muslims by the Raj had an impact on Punjab politics. He came in contact with Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-e-Azam and his writings in support of Muslims irked Punjab Governor Michael O’Dwyer who on 18 June 1918 imposed a ban till such time he was editor. The proprietors chose to cease publication. Having completed his LLB in 1916, Barkat Ali joined legal profession as lawyer in January 1920.
Malik Tariq Ali
Via email
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2017.
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