Time for introspection

As today we celebrate the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation it is time for introspection

As today we celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahammad Ali Jinnah, the Father of the Nation, it is time for introspection — 70 years after the creation of Pakistan whether we have lived up to the ideals which the great leader stood for. He played the most significant role in carving a separate homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent in the face of formidable resistance both from the Hindu majority and British rulers.

The Quaid and other leaders, who worked for the creation of Pakistan, believed in peaceful co-existence with the Hindu majority in a united India, where both communities could live in peace and amity. Unfortunately, politicians from the majority community did not show a reciprocal feeling of fraternity towards Muslims; and with the passage of time the latter by their actions established beyond doubt that they would not treat Muslims with fairness and justice. The unabated repression of Kashmiris and the jingoistic majoritarian rule in India have fully confirmed the complete lack of tolerance among India’s ruling classes towards the minorities.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has made life miserable for Muslims and other minorities in India. The Quaid stands vindicated for establishing a separate homeland for Muslims where Muslims and followers of other religions could live like brothers. Recent years though have witnessed erosion in tolerance of minorities in Pakistan too. This is a sorry failing on our part. We should strive to ensure equal rights to all Pakistanis.

The current situation in the Illegally India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has led even die-hard supporters of Indian hegemony in the occupied territory to justify Jinnah’s stance. In his early political career, he was known as the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. Later events, however, established beyond any shred of doubt that Muslims would never get a fair treatment at the hands of the brute Hindu majority. Jinnah publicly admitted that he learnt politics at the feet of Surendranath Bannerjee. It was Congress leaders who wrecked the ship of a united India. We feel happy to celebrate the Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary. But at the same time we feel guilty for our failure to live up to his ideals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2020.

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