The Muslim League in Barabanki

8/18/2019 The Muslim League in Barabanki

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MUSLIM LEAGUE IN BARABANKI

un(e' t$e %'een Ca% of t$e Muslim Lea%ue"s$outin% slo%ans in su66o't of its can(i(ate int$e assem/l4 elections!No" I (o not im6l4 some un/'oen t'a8ecto'4

f'om m4 %'an(uncle+s t'i6 to .$aa to m4st'uttin% in t$e st'eets in Ba'a/ani! T$eelections in -09 3e'e in fact /ase(on 6'inci6les t$at m4 %'an(uncle is 'e6o'te(to $ave o66ose(!It 3as Uncle Fa'ee( 3$o


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)oste'it4" in t$e fo'm of )'ofesso' F'ancisRo/inson of t$e Ro4al Hollo3a4 olle%e" tellsa /it mo'e! )'ofesso' Ro/inson 3'ites"#Naus$a( Ali K$an 3asJ a Ki(3ai S$ei$" of t$e same famil4 as t$e talu-dar J of &e$an%i'a/a( ! He atten(e( t$efoun(ation session of t$e All In(ia MuslimLea%ue at .acca in -012 an( 3as a66ointe( amem/e' of its 6'ovisional committee! F'om-01= to -010" $e cam6ai%ne( 3it$ ia'5ul5Mul an( Ma$ome( Ali fo' t$e foun(ation of .ist'ict Muslim Lea%ues! He 3as t$e $e $a( me'el4 (ie(" 'eac$in% not event$e a%e of t$i't45


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3$at f'euentl4 $a66ene( 3it$ 'efe'ence toone of $is cousins" t$e'e 3as neve' anePc$an%e of no3in% %lances /et3een m4el(e's 3$en Naus$a( Ali K$an+s name cameu6 in an4 conve'sation! He $a( ma''ie(" /ut$a( no issue! He $a( live( ePt'ava%antl4" often%ivin% (onations /e4on( $is means to 6u/liccauseslie t$e


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$el6e( 3it$ /anne's an( Ca%s" an( lustil4 le(ot$e's in 'aisin% slo%ans! De (i( muc$ t$esame at t$e Lea%ue+s election 'allies" ePce6tt$at smalle' /o4s lie me 3e'e assi%ne( to$el6 in t$e cu'taine( section 'ese've( fo'3omen! I (ou/t if I eve' ne3 3$e'e t$e oQiceof t$e .ist'ict Muslim Lea%ue 3as" /ut I canstill 6oint to t$e s6ot 3$e'e t$e MSF once $a(its (in%4 oQice t$at inclu(e( a tin4len(in% li/'a'4! Na


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ma8o'it4 in ot$e' 'e%ions 'hari&i hindua'sari/at,! An( t$at a /alance of 6o3e's$oul( /e c'eate( /et3een t$e Hin(us an(Muslims of In(ia /4 esta/lis$in% f'ee an(autonomous Muslim %ove'nments in t$ose'e%ions a1ad aur 'hudmu'htar muslimhu'umaten,!2 D$ateve' in( of t'eatmentMuslims in Hin(u5ma8o'it4 'e%ions s$all'eui'e f'om t$e Hin(u %ove'nments" t$eHin(us in t$e Muslim5ma8o'it4 a'eas 3oul('eui'e t$e same f'om t$e Muslim%ove'nments! An( t$us t$e 'i%$ts an( 3elfa'ehu-u- aur ma$ad, of t$e Muslims in t$eHin(u secto's s$all /e muc$ /ette'6'otecte(!+If it soun(s so sim6le an( lo%ical no3" /elieve

4ou me it soun(e( muc$ sim6le' an( mo'elo%ical /ac t$en" 3$en 6$'ases lie#te''ito'ial a(8ustments"+ #linin%co''i(o's"+ an( #inse6a'a/le $e'ita%e sites+3e'e t$e cu''enc4 of t$e (a4! D$en t$e most6otent" t$e most 6assionatel4 'aise( c'4 at ou''allies t$at 3inte' 3as: pa'istan 'a matlab '/a 22 la ilaha illallah" #D$at (oes )aistan mean T$e'e is no Go( /ut Alla$+It 3as" of cou'se" t$e Lea%ue+s $i%$ comman(

t$at c$ose t$e man to 'e6'esent Ba'a/ani int$e le%islative assem/l4! $ou($'4

T$e state( fea' 3as most 6eculia'! T$e Muslims in t$e#mino'it4+ 6'ovinces coul( $ave fea'e( t$e alle%e(#(omination"+ /ut su'el4 not t$e Muslims of t$e #ma8o'it4'e%ions!+ M'! &inna$ at va'ious times (esc'i/e( it as t$e

fea' of /ein% #a 6e'6etual mino'it4+ 3it$in t$e count'4!2 T$e use of t$e 6lu'al #states+ in -099 is alsonote3o't$4!

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K$aliuaman" at t$e time t$e most 6o3e'fulman in t$e Lea%ue in U!)!" $as un3ittin%l46'ovi(e( a 'evealin% sto'4 in $is memoi's! Acco'(in% to $im" t$e U!)! /'anc$ of t$eMuslim Lea%ue set u6 a /oa'( of nine 6e'sonsto select 22 can(i(ates fo' t$e elections! D$ent$e /oa'( convene(" some of its mem/e's $a(can(i(ates of t$ei' o3n fo' consi(e'ationa%ainst t$e can(i(ates al'ea(4 c$osen /4K$aliuaman an( $is cote'ie! T$e


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$a( come an( sta4e( at $is $ouse in Lucno3! Afte' t$e a/8ect colla6se of t$eK$ilafat Movement" t$e 6eo6le of Fi'an%iMa$al $a( follo3e( man4 (iQe'ent 6olitical6at$s! Ba'i Mi4an+s son" not uite out of $ist3enties in -09" $a( c$osen t$e Lea%ue+s!In ou' &awar " t$at $a'(5to5(e


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an( 3o' fo' #t$e %oo( cause"+ $e $a( %one oQ"


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%ove'nment in U!)!" an( 3$o late' 3ent on to%'eate' 6'ominence in t$e ent'al ca/inetun(e' Ne$'u! Ra< A$ma( Ki(3ai coul( $ave'un f'om Ba'a/ani in -09" /ut $e c$ose to6ut $is 6olitical 'e6utation to test else3$e'ean( %ave t$e no( fo' t$e Ba'a/ani seat to a(istant cousin" &ameelu' Ra$man Ki(3ai of Ba'a%aon! T$us it (evelo6e( t$at t$e /attle to'e6'esent Ba'a/ani Muslims in t$e6'ovincial assem/l4 3as fou%$t /et3een a &amal an( a &ameela 'at$e' confusin%manifestation of t$e t'ut$ in t$e )'o6$et+saPiom" allahu%&%&amil wa /uhibbu%&%&amal" #Go(is Beautiful" an( Loves Beaut4!+It+s not too su'6'isin% t$at t$e on%'ess

can(i(ate" 3$om I calle( &ameel $ac$aan( most 6eo6le a(('esse( sim6l4 as &ameelMi4an" 3as also e(ucate(


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a%ainst $is /'ot$e' in Ba'a/ani> instea( $e 8oine( K$aliuaman+s cam6ai%n in Lucno3"an( ea'ne( %'ateful mention in $is memoi's!M4 fat$e' 3as not muc$ inte'este( in

national 6olitics" fo' $im 6olitics 3as onl4local! He too (eli%$t in t$e int'i%ues an(cliues t$at (eci(e( t$e elections fo' t$e.ist'ict i!e! 'u'al, an( t$e Munici6al i!e!u'/an, Boa'(s of Ba'a/ani! In fact" $e $a(once /een electe( t$e vice56'esi(ent of t$e.ist'ict Boa'(! But $e 'ea( onl4 The Pioneer "t$e 6'o5Ra8 ne3s6a6e'" an( (i( not su/sc'i/eto eit$e' t$e National Herald o' t$e 0aumi A"a1 3$en t$e t3o 3e'e sta'te( in Lucno3 att$e instance of &a3a$a'lal Ne$'u an(Ra< A$ma( Ki(3ai! At some time in $is life $e$a( 'eceive( t$e title of 3han Sahib"t$e lo3est civilian a3a'( t$at t$e B'itis$ %aveto Muslimst$e euivalent fo' t$eHin(us /ein% ai Sahib!It 3oul( /e unfai' of me to assume t$at

Fat$e' 3as a #toa(4+ an( coul(n+t $aveca'e( less fo' t$e elections $a( &amal Mi4annot /een t$e Muslim Lea%ue can(i(ate! Ha(it /een someone else" Fat$e' 3oul( $avesu66o'te( an( 3o'e( fo' &ameel Mi4an" 3$o3as not onl4 a 6ee' an( f'ien( /ut also(istantl4 'elate(! &amal Mi4an" $o3eve'" 3ast$e son of m4 %'an(mot$e'+s s6i'itual mento'"an( $e a(('esse( Fat$e' as #Masu( 4hai!+lea'l4" 3$en it came to Fat$e'+s lo4alties" &amal Mi4an $a( a $i%$e' claimnot on

account of $is 6olitics" /ut in $is o3n 6e'son!

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An( so" follo3in% t$e un3'itten 'ules of t$ecultu'e $e live( in" Fat$e' ene'%eticall4 %avet$e Fi'an%i Ma$al ties 3$at $e o3e( t$em! Itmeant $ostin% visito's" $ol(in% sessions 3it$f'ien(s an( c'onies a/out t$e 3a4s to#inCuence+ vote's" an(" on t$e (a4 of t$eelection" loanin% $is ca' an( ('ive' to s$uttle3omen vote's to t$e 6ollin%/oot$s! Neve't$eless" I $onestl4 (o not 'ecalleve' $ea'in% $im (iscuss an4 -aumi national,issue o' atten(in% an election meetin%!Uncle Fa'ee(" on t$e ot$e' $an(" tale(

-aumi 6olitics all t$e time! T$ou%$ 6'ou(of t$e one5time 6'ominence of $is o3n uncle"Ra8a Naus$a( Ali K$an" Uncle Fa'ee( (i(not muc$ a66'ove of t$e Muslim Lea%ue! He3as an ol(5fas$ione( 6an5Islamist> $is$e'oes 3e'e &amalu((in Af%$ani" S$i/liNu+mani an( A/ul Kalam Aa(! He ne3 muc$of S$i/li+s U'(u 6oet'4 /4 $ea't" an( $a( mememo'ie S$i/li+s lon% lament on t$eBalan Da'! Not fo' an4 i(eolo%ical 'eason! Het$ou%$t it 3oul( $el6 me 3in in baitba1icom6etitions" fo' eac$ ve'se in it en(e( in t$elette' 'a$ ! But I (on+t 'ecall $im uotin% f'oman4 of t$e 6oems in 3$ic$ S$i/li $a( ma(efun of t$e Lea%ueI came to no3 of t$emmuc$ late'! As fo' Uncle Fa'ee(+s a(o'ationof A/ul Kalam Aa(" $e coul( uote f'ommemo'4 seve'al favo'ite sni66ets f'om5hubar%i%3hatir " inclu(in% one 3$e'e Aa(sensuousl4 (esc'i/es $is mo'nin% 'itual 3it$

&asmine tea 3$ile a 6'isone' in t$e A$ma(na%a' Fo't! D$en m4 /'ot$e' Mo$sin

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foun( 3o' in Ben%al" Uncle Fa'ee( ase( $imto /'in% some &asmine tea f'om alcutta!Nee(less to sa4" t$e tea (i( not live u6 to Aa(+s lus$ an( intoPicatin% 3o'(s!

Uncle S$a$ee(" anot$e'


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$ouse" it 3as close enou%$ fo' me to %et toafte' %'a//in% some foo( in t$e itc$en! But I(on+t t$in I eve' atten(e( an4 'all4 to its ve'4en(! I still sle6t in t$e la(ies+ section of ou' $ouse" 3$ose /ac (oo' 3as loce( ea'l4! An( so" sa(l4 enou%$" 3$en t$e mains6eae' 3oul( /e 3a'min% u6 to $is su/8ect I3oul( usuall4 /e 'unnin% $ome to avoi( ascol(in%!In an4 case" t$e


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lace( as a 6oetan( lace( $e muc$$emo'e t$an ma(e u6 fo' it in $is 'ecitation!D$at a 6o3e'ful voice He coul( clea'l4 /e$ea'( f'om fa' a3a4 even 3$en t$e miefaile(! But 3it$ t$e mie 3o'in%" $istarannum" $is melo(4" 'esoun(e( in t$e s4a/ove t$e cit4" an( ale'te( eve'4one /ut t$e$eaviest slee6e's to t$e Lea%ue+s vi'tues an(6'omises! Tall an( fai'" ('esse( in a /lac shirwani an( a &inna$ ca6" .il 3as a $it 3it$eve'4one" 6a'ticula'l4 3it$ some of t$ose int$e cu'taine( a'ea! As a voluntee' in t$atsection I $a( to %et $is auto%'a6$ fo' man4 anecstatic %i'l! His ve'ses 3e'e a3ful3e ma(efun of t$em t$e nePt (a4/ut no one ca'e(!Eve'4one 8ust %a6e(" as t$is eno'mous soun(came out of $is mout$" an( t$en s3a4e(involunta'il4 to t$e '$4t$m of $is tarannum!Me'cifull4" onl4 t3o of $is ve'ses a'e stillnaile( to m4 memo'4:

7e ummat 'i 'ashti, +inah 'e sahare

8hali &a rahi hai 'inare 'inareT$e communit4+s /oat

Dit$ &inna$+s su66o't

Me''il4 Coats

F'om s$o'e to s$o'e!

T$e secon( maste'6iece 3ent as follo3s:

+inah par hai sa/a uhammad Ali 'a

3aram par 'aram be%hisab a%raha hai

&inna$ is s$a(e( /4 Mu$amma( an( Ali>

Go(+s favo's to $im a'e manifol(!

Simila' 6oetaste's must $ave %'ace( t$eon%'ess 'allies" /ut I can+t name an4

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/ecause I neve' 3ent to an4 on%'ess 'all4! Itcoul( $ave cost me m4 mem/e's$i6 in t$eMSF! To /alance t$e 'eco'(" I can onl4 uotef'om one on%'ess 6oet" S$amim Ki'$ani"3$ose name I $a( seen in ma%aines event$en! I looe( u6 some of $is to6ical ve'ses inan ant$olo%4 of nationalist U'(u 6oet'46u/lis$e( in In(ia! T$e4 a'e /ette' t$an .il+s"/ut onl4 a ta( o' t3o! He'e a'e some linesf'om one of $is (enunciations of t$e MuslimLea%ue:

Ham 'o batlao to '/a matlab hai pa'istan 'a

+is &agah is "a-t hain muslim na&is hai '/a "o &a*

Nish%i%tuhmat se tere chishti 'a sina cha' hai

+ald batla '/a 1amin a&mer 'i napa' hai*

Hain imamon 'e &o rau1e la'hnau 'i 'ha' par

4an ga/e '/a tauba tauba 'hitta%i%napa' par*

Ah us pa'i1a ganga 'o na&is 'ahta hai tu

+is 'e pani se 'i/a muslim shahidon ne "u1u

3/a /e matlab hai 'i ham mahrum%i%a1adi rahen*

un-asim ho'ar 6arab 'i tarh $ar/adi rahen*Tell me" 3$at (oes )aistan mean Is t$is lan(

D$e'e 3e Muslims live an4 less 6u'e

Wou' slu' $as 3oun(e( $is$ti+s /'east>

Vuic" tell me" is A8me' im6u'e

An( Lucno3+s s$'ines to t$e $ol4 Imams

.o t$e4 stan(" Go( fo'/i(" on unclean lan(

Wou call t$e Gan%es unclean" /ut its 3ate's once

De'e use( /4 Muslim ma't4's 'ea(4in% to 6'a4!

S$amim Ki'$ani" # Pa'istan 8hahne%"alon Se+ in Ali &a3a( ai(i e(!," 9rdu men 0aumi Shairi 'e SauSal Lucno3" -00," 6! ?@0!

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Wou 3is$ us to 'emain (evoi( of f'ee(om"

ut u6 lie t$e A'a/s" fo'eve' victims!

)oet'4" 6a'ticula'l4 /a( 6oet'4" is of cou'semo'e memo'a/le t$an 6'ose! T$at+s 3$4I coul( uote .il /ut $ave no memo'4 no3 of 3$at &amal Mi4an an( ot$e's sai( int$e s6eec$es I ent$usiasticall4 a66lau(e( t$at3inte'! .ou/tless t$e4 3e'e $ea't53a'min% an( min(5/o%%lin% in eual measu'e!T$e one name t$at still lin%e's is t$at of

Maulana Si/%$atulla$ #S$a$ee(+ of Fi'an%iMa$al" /ut neit$e' $is 3o'(s no' &amalMi4an+s a'e 'eco'(e( in t$e sou'ces I $aveaccess to! I can onl4 oQe' a /'ief uotationf'om a statement issue( in ;cto/e' -09 /4t$e 6'esi(ent of t$e All In(ia Muslim Stu(entsFe(e'ation" Ra8a Ami' A$ma( K$anof Ma$mu(a/a(!T$e Ra8a $a( ePtensive 6'o6e'ties in

Ba'a/ani> conseuentl4 $e 3as also a $i%$l4'es6ecte( 6e'son of ou' &awar ! In $is

statement" $e eP$o'te( t$e /o4s of t$e MSF tosus6en( eve'4 activit4 an( 3o' $a'( onl4 fo't$e Lea%ue+s cause! #To(a4 t$e 'oa( of ou'(ut4 is clea'e'"+ $e 3'ote" #an( mo'e o6en t$anin t$e 6ast! NePt mont$ it s$all /e (eci(e( if t$e In(ian Muslims can live in In(ia asMuslims an( as mem/e's of t$e 3o'l(JIslamic /'ot$e'$oo(" o' 3ill t$e4 /e fo'ce( tolive un(e' a cultu'e t$at is totall4 o66osite of Islam! ! ! ! T$e 3o'l( is 3atc$in% us to see if t$e Muslim nation utilies t$is Go(5%ifte(

moment an( (ecla'es t$at )aistan 3as its/i't$'i%$t an( must /e o/taine( no matte'

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memoi's! It contains a cou6le of anec(otes f'om -092 t$at st'on%l4 'esonate(3it$ me afte' m4 conve'sation 3it$ Matin! A//asi" 3$o cam6ai%ne( in -092 in su66o'tof $is /'ot$e'" /e%ins 3it$ a t'uism mostMuslims use 3$en t$e4 feelunc$a'acte'isticall4 s$ee6is$: # usalman )tratan &a1bati hota hai+" #A Muslims is /4natu'e emotional!+ T$en $e %oes on" #At one6lace I s$o3e( m4 Muslim au(ience a 6ictu'eof M'! Mu$amma( Ali &inna$ an( eP6laine(t$at &inna$ Sa$i/ $a( no /ea'(" t$at $e live(lie an En%lis$man an( ca'e( little fo' nama1%ro1a 6'a4e's an( fasts,! Fu't$e'" t$at $is 3ife$a( /een a )a'si!-1 T$en I s$o3e( t$ema 6ictu'e of Maulana A/ulalam Aa(" an(t'ie( to convince t$em t$at t$e Maulana 3asa 'eli%ious sc$ola' $el( in $i%$ 'e%a'( /4'eli%ious sc$ola's all ove' In(ia! I also sai(t$at in alcutta" 3$e'e lacs of Muslim cameto%et$e' to 6'a4 at t$e Mai(an on t$e t3oEi(s" it 3as t$e Maulana 3$o le( t$e 6'a4e's!Imme(iatel4 a man stoo( u6 an( s$oute(:Si'" 3$4 must 4ou tell us suc$ lies D$4 must 4ou cast slu's on Maulana &inna$ Sa$i/"3$en I+ve m4self 6'a4e( 3$e'e $e 3as t$eimam! It+s not a 6ictu'e of &inna$ Sa$i/ t$at 4ou $ave in 4ou' $an(> it is of M'! A/ulalam Aa(! Wou s$oul( 'e6ent" si'" 'e6ent!T$e c'o3( /'oe into lou( a66lause" an( I 3asleft /lanl4 sta'in% at t$e man!+--

-1

Ruttie &inna$ $a( /een (ea( t$en fo' -= 4ea's!

-- Vai &alil A//asi" 3/a :in The! Ne3 .el$i" -0," 6!-?@!

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A//asi+s secon( anec(ote 'esonate( 3it$ meeven mo'e! He 3'ites" #It 3as m4 $a/it to ('a3a ma6 of In(ia on t$e 3all an( t$en eP6lain tom4 au(ience t$at no matte' 3$at $a66ene(U!)! 3as %oin% to 'emain in In(ia! I+( sa4 tot$em" Even &inna$ Sa$i/ is not (eceivin% us!He o6enl4 sa4s t$at t$e Muslims of U!)! 3ill$ave to /ea' (omination /4 t$e Hin(us" t$att$e4 3ill $ave to sac'i


22/41


)'o6$et of Go(! No3 tell me" 3$o 3oul( 4ou'at$e' vote fo' An( t$e c'o3( 3oul( 'oa'/ac" Allah%o%A'bar !+-? It ma4 /e 'elevant $e'e to also mention a

cou6le of inci(ents 'ecounte( /4 Ria5u'5 Ra$man Ki(3ai" a ne6$e3 of &ameelMi4an+s" in $is /oo on t$e Ki(3ais of Ba'a/ani! B4 -09 most of t$e 6'ominent6ulama of No't$ In(ia $a( left t$e MuslimLea%ue" an( t$ei' o'%aniation" t$e &ami+at5ul5Ulema5i5Hin(" 3as 3o'in% $a'( in su66o't of t$e on%'ess! Vuite a fe3 of t$em 3e'et'avelin% a'oun( at t$e /e$est of t$eon%'ess" s6eain% at t$e 6olitical 'allies of itsMuslim can(i(ates! T$e4 3e'e eP6ecte( to'e/ut t$e Lea%ue+s Islamic claims 3it$ t$ei'o3n 'eli%ious '$eto'ic! Ho3eve'" 3$en t$e6'ovincial on%'ess committee oQe'e( to sen(suc$ a %'ou6 to $el6 &ameel Mi4an" $e(ecline(! He 'e6o'te(l4 sai( t$at if t$e vote's3is$e( to elect a 6e'son 3$o 6'a4e( mo'eoften t$an $e (i( t$e4 3e'e 3elcome to (o so!It seems so muc$ in c$a'acte' fo' $im! Anot$e' time" 3$en &ameel Mi4an 3as s$o3nsome (ocuments t$at alle%e( t$at $iso66onent $a( im6'o6e'l4 ea'ne( some incomef'om a 6'o6e't4 t$at /elon%e( to a mosue" $e


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acte( no (iQe'entl4! No shari$ 6e'son in t$ose(a4s eve' (i( ce'tain t$in%s! D$en t$ecam6ai%n mana%e' of t$e Lea%ue+s can(i(atea%ainst Ra< A$ma( Ki(3ai nee(e( a ca'#since $is o3n 3as out of o'(e'+$enatu'all4 tele6$one( $is %oo( f'ien( Ra


24/41


6asse( t$e u66e' 6'ima'4 ePamination" o'se've( in t$e milita'4 fo'ces6lus a fe3ePce6tional souls! Fo' ePam6le" t$e 3i(o3 of asol(ie' $a( t$e 'i%$t to vote" /ut not t$eeuall4 in(i%ent 3i(o3 of a fa'me'!-2 As fo' t$eMuslims of Ba'a/ani .ist'ict" t$e census sa4st$at t$e'e 3e'e a/out @@="111 of t$em in-0-! Allo3 me to assume t$at


25/41


m4 fat$e' 3as not inte'este( in 'a(ios! An( so$e 3as not a 6a't of us 3$o ea%e'l4 cluste'e(a'oun( t$e 'a(io as m4 cousin


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me (eca(es late': it 3as a %'a4 mo'nin%!T$e'e 3as not t$e faintest %lo3 of a sun in t$es4" t$e colo' of a (in%4 s$eet" an( t$einf'euent %usts of ai' came (am6 f'om a


27/41


$ave also t$e /a(minton cou't an( t$e socce'


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T$e ce'emon4 at t$e sc$oolGove'nmentHi%$ Sc$ool3as at ei%$t" /ut t$estu(ents $a( /een tol( to come ea'l4! De 3e'eto assem/le in 'o3s in t$e f'ont 4a'( of t$esc$ool acco'(in% to t$e %'a(es 3e 3e'e in!T$en" to t$e accom6animent of an ant$emsun% /4 a c$o'us" t$e 6'inci6al 3oul( $oist t$eCa%" an( eve'4one 3oul( salute t$e Ca% 3it$an a'm fol(e( /efo'e $is c$est! Late'" s3eets3oul( /e (ist'i/ute(!I left $ome ea'l4! As I $u''ie( to t$e MSF

oQice" I met some fello35mem/e's f'omm4 nei%$/o'$oo(! Soon t$e'e 3e'e


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t$an t$e 6'evious (a4 'all4 an( a f'action of ou' actual st'en%t$! ;ne /o4 3as ca''4in% ou'Ca%" t$e Ca% of t$e Muslim Lea%ue! It 3as tie(to a tall /am/oo 6ole" an( t$e /o4 f'euentl4ma(e %oo( use of it to 6ull (o3n an4cele/'ato'4 st'in% of Ca%s o' /untin% $e6asse( un(e'! De 3e'e s$outin% ou' ol(slo%ans6'o/a/l4 t$e ne3 one tooas 3ema'c$e( (o3n t$e main 'oa(" tu'ne( at t$eGene'al Hos6ital" an( cut t$'ou%$ t$e la'%eo6en s6ace 3$e'e t$e'e 3e'e al3a4s some%'ain% cattle $e'(e( /4 little /o4s an( %i'ls! It3as a s$o'tcut t$at eve'4one use( to %o to t$esc$ool an( to t$e cou'ts fu't$e' (o3n t$e'oa(!;n ou' 3a4 3e 6asse( man4 6eo6le! De

coul(n+t $ave no3n t$e names of mostof t$em" /ut t$e faces must $ave /een familia'! An( t$e 6eo6le" in tu'n" must $ave $a(t$e same feelin% a/out us! In fact" 3e must$ave ePc$an%e( %'eetin%s" fo' no /o4 inou' 6'ocession coul( $ave faile( to %'eet an4ol(e' 6e'son $e ne3 3it$ an # Adab Ar1 +o' sim6l4 #adab"+ 3it$ $is 'i%$t $an( uicl4'aise( to t$e fo'e$ea(" t$en ('o66e(! It3as t$en t$e acce6te( 3a4 in Ba'a/ani fo' ashari$ Muslim /o4 to %'eet $is el(e's3$et$e' t$e latte' 3e'e Muslim o' Hin(u! T$eHin(u /o4s too use( t$e same %'eetin% 3it$t$ei' 6a'ents+ Muslim f'ien(s! T$at s$a'e(6$'ase of cou'tes4 $as no3 almost(isa66ea'e(it 3as 6e'$a6s too Islamic fo'

t$e Hin(us" an( not Islamic enou%$ fo' t$e

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Muslims 'e6lace( /4 # Namaste+ /4 t$efo'me' an( # Assalam%o Alai'um+ /4 t$e latte'!T$e 6eo6le 3e 6asse( on t$e 3a4 (i(n+t ave't

t$ei' e4es! T$e4 looe( at us! Some" I ima%ine"3it$ cu'iosit4" some 3it$ su'6'ise" eveninc'e(ulit4" an( some 6e'$a6s 3it$ a /it of in(ul%ence! Still ot$e's must $ave felt some(e%'ee of contem6t o' an%e'! But noove't 'es6onse occu''e(! No one sto66e( o'uestione( us!I+m af'ai( I mi%$t $ave fo'ce( m4 memo'4

3$en I 6ut ou' 6'ocession on t$es$o'tcut lea(in% to t$e sc$ool+s easte'n %ate!Memo'4" on t$e cont'a'4" insists on 6lacin%ou' c'o3( at t$e 3este'n %ate of t$e sc$ool"an( I must 4iel( to it! No" ou' 6'ocession (i(not tae t$e s$o'tcut! It follo3e( t$e lon%e''oute! De ma'c$e( t$'ou%$ Be%um%un8"tu'ne( sout$ at t$e ol( S$i+a$ mosue" 6asse(t$e ete'ina'4 Hos6ital on ou' 3a4 to F4a/a(Roa(" 3$e'e 3e tu'ne( left an( en(e( u6 att$e 3este'n %ate! T$e'e 3e sto66e(" /4 t$ec$e'is$e( an( sca''e( 'e(5tama'in( t'ee! Itstill stan(sc$e'is$e( fo' t$e /loo(5'e( insi(eof its f'uitno'mall4 %'eenan( sca''e( /4t$e stones t$at %ene'ations of sc$ool/o4s $avet$'o3n at it to noc (o3n t$e(eliciousl4 s3eet an( ta't f'uit!-

- T$e 'oa( to F4a/a( is no3 a $eavil4 use( national$i%$3a4! In t$e Nineties it /ecame t$e 'oa( to A4o($4a!Mec$anie( c$a'iots" consec'ate( /'ics"


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So t$e'e 3e 3e'e


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$e 'efuse( 6'omotions an( t'ansfe's" an( (ie(in Ba'a/ani!De fell silent 3$en Kaul Sa+a/ ste66e(

t$'ou%$ t$e %ate" an( %'eete( $im 3it$6'o6e' 'es6ect! He (i(n+t scol( us! Evenot$e'3ise $e neve' s6oe s$a'6l4 to an4stu(ent$e usuall4 a(('esse( $im as 4ete"#Son!+ Gentl4 an( calml4" $e tol( us t$at 3$at3e 3e'e (oin% 3as not nice> t$at it 3asim6'o6e' fo' us to /e$ave t$at 3a4 even if 3e(i(n+t lie 3$at 3as $a66enin%! Someone'es6on(e( t$at ou' 6'otest 3as a%ainst t$e'eui'e( salutin% of t$e Ca%" t$at 3e $a( nointention of s$o3in% 'es6ect to a Ca% 3e (i(n+tca'e fo'it 3as not ou' Ca%! Even t$en KaulSa+a/ (i(n+t %et an%'4! He me'el4 s$ifte(f'om uiet 'easonin% to t$e mo'e 8ovialmanne' $e 3as no3n fo'! He tease( one /o4"ma(e fun of anot$e'" tol( 8oes an( uote( ve'ses" an( soon $a( us all /u'stin% intosmiles! T$en" 3it$ moc se'iousness" $e tol(us a/out t$e (elicious laddus t$at 3e'e to/e (ist'i/ute( un(e' $is su6e'vision at t$e en(of t$e ce'emon4! Befo'e 3e ne3 3$at3as $a66enin%" $e $a( us a%'eein% to acom6'omise: 3e 3oul( %o in imme(iatel4 an(stan( 3it$ ou' classmates fo' t$e ce'emon4"/ut 3e 3oul(n+t sin% t$e ant$em o' salute t$eCa%! In 'etu'n" Kaul Sa+a/ 3oul( see to it t$ateac$ of us 'eceive( an ePt'a s$a'e of t$es3eets! An( t$at is ePactl4 3$at $a66ene(! De left

t$e %'een Ca% at t$e %ate leanin%fo'lo'nl4 a%ainst t$e tama'in( t'ee" an(

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ou'selves 3ent in" stiQ5nece( /ut uiet! T$et'icolo' 3as 'aise(" t$e ant$em 3as sun%" t$esalute 3as %iven3e 'emaine( silent an( e6tou' a'ms $an%in% /4 ou' si(es! Afte'3a'(" aseac$ class ma'c$e( /4 $im an( $is $el6e's"Kaul Sa+a/ uietl4 ma(e su'e t$at 3e %ot t3o6acets of fou' la((us eac$! T$eneve'4one (is6e'se(! I too 'etu'ne( $ome"feelin% uite t'ium6$ant!T$at 3as t$e last time t$e /o4s of t$e MSF

met as a %'ou6! ;u' li/'a'45oQice close(a mont$ o' so late'! Man4 ol(e' /o4s 3$o $a(al'ea(4 %'a(uate( f'om $i%$ sc$ool also leftfo' 8o/s in t$e ne3 count'4! Man4 of t$e#lea(e's+ in t$e local /'anc$ of t$e MuslimLea%ue (isa66ea'e( too! T$e'e 3as" $o3eve'"no inci(ent of communal violence in Ba'a/aniin -09=" no' fo' t$at matte' in Lucno3 an(ot$e' nei%$/o'in% (ist'icts! An(" t$an Go(" t$e'e $asn+t /een an4 so fa' eit$e'!I $ave no contem6o'a'4 memo'4 of t$e

$o''o's t$at 3e'e $a66enin% at t$e time inot$e' 6a'ts of t$e lan(! M4 fat$e' use( to %etThe Pioneer " /ut I coul( t$en /a'el4 'ea( it! Att$e MSF li/'a'4" I $a( /een 'ea(in% anshur an( Tan"ir " t$e t3o U'(u ne3s6a6e's t$att$e Muslim Lea%ue use( to /'in% out" /ut t$eli/'a'4 3as no3 close( fo' %oo(" as3e'e in(ee( t$e t3o ne3s6a6e's! De (i(n+t$ave a 'a(iot$e cit4 $a( no elect'icit4 t$en>it came t$'ee 4ea's late'!T3o of m4 t$'ee /'ot$e's 3ent ac'oss t$e

/o'(e'! T$e ol(e' of t$e t3o" A$san" 3as in t$ea'm4" an( $a( fo'mall4 o6te( to se've in

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it in ou' 6'esence! As fo' m4 mot$e'" s$eof cou'se uietl4 3e6t 3$en t3o of $e' sonsleft fo' )aistan 3it$out even comin% $ome to/i( %oo(/4e" /ut $e' tea's 3e'e eP6ecte( an((i(n+t %ive us a 6ause!In m4 o3n life outsi(e t$e $ouse" at t$e

sc$ool an( on t$e 6la4%'oun( of ou'$oce4 clu/" an( amon% f'ien(smost of t$em3e'e Muslim" t$ou%$ seve'al 3e'e Hin(uIfelt no (iQe'ence! In fact" ou' $oce4 clu/t$eom'a(es lu/3as /uin% 3it$suc$ ePcitement in t$e


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T$ou%$ $e al3a4s too 3it$ $im Bu(($u" $is6e'sonal se'vant 3$o ne3 ('ivin%" m4 fat$e'lie( to ('ive t$e ca' $imself! An(" /efo'e an4t'i6" $e inva'ia/l4 3ent eve'4one else3$en t$e4 (i( sa4somet$in%s6oe in 3$is6e's!@1 M4 fat$e' 3as avi(l4 fon( of $untin%"

6a'ticula'l4 of (uc5s$oots in 3inte'! Heo3ne( t$'ee s$ot%uns an( a 'iCe> $e also $a(a 'evolve' t$at $e $a( /ou%$t man4 4ea'sa%o 3$en t$e'e $a( /een some t$'eat to $is

@1 D$en m4 el(est /'ot$e'" Mo$sin" 'ea( t$e o'i%inal

essa4 $e con


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Rail3a4 Ma%ist'ate+coul( su((enl4 a66ea'so sca'e( an( $el6less! I 3as te''i


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3o'(s even /'ou%$t a fe3 fu'tive ePc$an%es of smiles" fo' t$e4 tol( us t$at it 3as a Hin(u3$o $a( (one t$e illin%a Hin(u" not aMuslim! No3 3e coul( all acno3le(%e t$ete''o' t$at $a( %'i66e( us an( also t$e 'easonfo' ou' 'elief" as in(ee( m4 %'an(mot$e'au(i/l4 (i( 3$en s$e t$ane( Alla$ fo' main%Gan($i8i+s assassin tu'n out to /e a Hin(u an(not" Go( fo'/i(" a Muslim!Soon #no'malc4+ 'etu'ne( to ou' lives! T$e

sc$ool 'e5o6ene( afte' a su((en closu'e fo' afe3 (a4s" an( t$e onl4 visi/le (iQe'ence t$e'e3as t$e m4ste'ious a/sence of ou' Geo%'a6$4teac$e'" 3$o $a( /een a lea(e' in t$e local/'anc$ of t$e RSS$e 3as $el( in custo(4 fo'a fe3 3ees" t$en 'elease(! Fat$e'+s illnesssoon /ecame full4 manifest" an( 'an its cou'seuntil $e succum/e( to it one ni%$t in ;cto/e'!His (eat$ 'a(icall4 alte'e( m4 o3n in(ivi(uallife! As t$e onl4 male livin% at $ome" an( 3it$ou' mot$e' o/se'vin% purdah" I 3as no3 t$e visi/le #$ea(+ of t$e famil4/ut t$at 3as usualan( eP6ecte(! A fe3 4ea's late'" t$e%ove'nment a/olis$e( t$e amin(a'i s4steman( ou' main sou'ce of income (isa66ea'e("/ut t$at too $a( /een eP6ecte(! De coul( stillmaintain ou' sa$edposhi" ou' %enteel 3a4s"t$ou%$ at a lo3e' scale! T$e'e 3e'e c$an%esin t$e $ie'a'c$4 of local move's5an(5s$ae's"/ut 3e still ne3 man4 of t$em an(" mo'eim6o'tantl4" t$e4 still ne3 us!D$at 3as ne3 3as t$e %'a(ual (iscove'4 t$at

t$e te''o' 3$ic$ t$at &anua'4 (a4$a( su((enl4 6e'meate( ou' /ones an( t$en

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as uicl4 seeme( to $ave (isa66ea'e("$a( neve' actuall4 left us! Mont$s 3oul( %o /4"even 4ea's" t$en su((enl4 at someo(( occasion o' (u'in% some innocuousconve'sation" it 3oul( let its 6'esence /e felt"as (ee6 an( ce'tain 3it$in us as t$e soun( of ou' $ea't/eats an( t$e


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so foolis$l4 (one to ou'selves o' to feelt3in%es of %uilt fo' 3$at 3e $a( (one to ou'Hin(ustan" /ut 8ust as often 3e also 'e8oice(in )aistan+s ePistence an( felt %'ateful it 3ast$e'e even if its /o'(e's 3e'e no lon%e'o6en to us afte' t$e Ne$'u5Liauat )act! D$en6a'ts of ou' $omes 3e'e a'/it'a'il46a(loce( /4 t$e aut$o'ities un(e' t$eEvacuee )'o6e't4 Act o' 3$en Liauat AliK$an 3as assassinate( in )aistan 3e tol(eac$ ot$e' $o3 foolis$l4 3e $a( acte(" /ut3$en t$e

The Muslim League in Barabanki

Documents

Transcript of The Muslim League in Barabanki