Sir,
Ms. Khaleda Islam’s view in 3 New York paper that Iqbal song failed to inspire even its author, merits critical review based on facts of history and not on narrow regional as well as religious considerations,
In the struggle for Indias independence Muslims participated with the same zeal of nationalism as the rest of the communities (i.e. Sikhs, Christians and the Hindus). It was in the nationalist spirit that Iqbal wrote the famous poem,
Saare Jahan Se Achha.
it was the time when the entire Muslim leadership which included Stalwarts like M.A. Jinnah, Maulana Azad, Ali Brothers, to name a few, were members of the Indian National Congress. It was at that time that they learned about the real aims of Congress leaders like Gandhi, Patel and others that these otherwise nationalist leaders of Muslims left communal Hindu leaders of Congress and formed Muslim league party for the establishment of Pakistan. It was about this time when Iqbal wrote Cheen O Arab Hamara Saara Jahan Hamara.
It were precisely these communal policies of the Hindu Congress leaders that made Iqbal to write on
Rulata hai tera nazara aey Hindustan Mujhko
keb ibrat khez hai tera afsana sab afsanon men
watan ki figar kar aey nadan museebat ane wali hai,
teri barbadion ke mashware hain asmanon men, na samjhoge to mit jayoge aey Hindustan walo
tumhari dastan tak na hogi dastano men
The subsequent events in the subcontinent have proved that Iqbal was so accurate in his vision about posterity. I hope Ms. Khaleda Islam, notwithstanding her political views would correct her understanding about the greatest Muslim of India of this century.
Amarjit Singh Buttar Vernon CT
JAMSHEDPUR: Janata Dal Member of Parliament Rajmohan Gandhi has said he would appeal against the verdict of Allahabad high court dismissing his petition which challenged election of Congress (I) chief Rajiv Gandhi from the Amethi parliamentary constituency.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 15, 1991
