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Jinnah’s Pakistan as a rallying cry
Yasser Latif Hamdani writing in Daily Times:
Salmaan Taseer was a man of great moral clarity whether his detractors care to admit as much or not. He was from an increasingly rare breed of idealists who believed in Pakistan as envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, i.e. a liberal democratic state where faith would be a personal matter. I submit that it was this belief in Pakistan’s destiny that drove Salmaan Taseer to stand up for the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Therefore, when his children write that their father died for Pakistan, Pakistan’s self-appointed guardians of ideology should take note and learn a thing or two. The need of the hour is for Pakistanis to stand up for that ideal, for this is our only homeland and if we do not save it, no one else will.
It is for these reasons that I found Ammar Rashid’s article ‘Moral medievalism and the state’ (Daily Times, January 13, 2011) to be most disturbing. At a time when Pakistanis should be united in realising that Salmaan Taseer’s death and the subsequent polarisation around the assassination is indicative of state failure and the state’s abdication of responsibility for its people, self-proclaimed intellectuals regurgitating a flawed interpretation of Marxist ideology are in the forefront of efforts to sabotage all attempts to gather the less fortunate on a platform against bigotry and hate. To begin with, the reasoning of the author is entirely muddled. Blaming modern information-age capitalism and its confluence with the historical memory and ‘logic’ of the Pakistani state is akin to making excuses for an abandonment of common sense and reason. The “historical memory” of the Pakistani state as it were is much warped and distorted. The great leftist historian Hamza Alavi examined the causes and the events leading to the creation of Pakistan in many of his works and rejected in entirety the state-sponsored narrative introduced largely during the Zia era. In his enlightening paper Pakistan and Islam: Ethnicity or Ideology, Hamza Alavi traced the formation of the ‘salariat’ or the secular Muslim middle-class, which became the engine for the Pakistan Movement. He showed how the basic ideas of Islamic modernism had moved into the sphere of conventional wisdom for this group. Therefore, far from arguing a moral superiority based on Pan-Islamic religious identity, Muslim nationalism as it emerged was the attempt of a nascent Muslim bourgeoisie in the subcontinent to secure a foothold economically and politically. It was also indicative of an internal struggle between the professional and secular-minded classes amongst Indian Muslims led by Jinnah and the clerical class that opposed them. This is what prompted Jinnah to declare in 1938, “What the League has done is to set you free from the reactionary elements of Muslims and to create the opinion that those who play their selfish game are traitors. It has certainly freed you from that undesirable element of maulvis and maulanas.”
Salmaan Taseer was the foremost symbol of the professional and secular-minded Muslim bourgeoisie that created Pakistan. He was a self-made man, a professional and a businessman. The late governor was the physical embodiment of the confluence of Pakistan’s genuine historical memory and modern, information age capitalism.
There is no reason why we should complicate a simple issue. I submit two points: a) all nationalisms are exclusionary and, as Eqbal Ahmad said, “the ideology of the other”, and b) states are duty bound to be above issues of identity and nationalism and this is precisely why we have constitutions. Secularism, historically, has developed from confessional societies, and pluralism is almost always a desired by-product. The example before Jinnah, as the creator and the first governor general of the new state, was Britain which he alluded to in his famous August 11 speech, which, mind you, was not the only speech he delivered where he outlined in clear terms his idea of what the Pakistani state should be. Great Britain’s history is defined by the protestant nature of its monarchy and the struggle between the clergy and the state. It has in its history seen gruesome violence on religious questions including blasphemy. In due course of time, however, the Protestants and Catholics did learn to live together as citizens of Great Britain.
So what is Jinnah’s Pakistan and why is it increasingly becoming the rallying cry of all Pakistanis who want to bring about a change? Jinnah’s Pakistan means a Pakistan where dialogue and constitutional means are the only available choice when resolving disagreements and discord. How then can today’s Pakistan be Jinnah’s Pakistan when the very essence of the man is sacrificed in the name of political expediency and the doctrine of necessity? Jinnah’s Pakistan will remain the only credible answer for positive social change because Jinnah represents something much more substantial than a dead secular politician. He is, for most Pakistanis, a deep structure of identity that remains on a higher pedestal for them. It is for this reason that Jinnah’s Pakistan remains the only viable option for this state to dig itself out of the hole it finds itself in. Without Jinnah, the liberals of Pakistan are like fish out of the pond.
The writer is a lawyer. He also blogs at http://pakteahouse.net and can be reached at yasser.hamdani@gmail.com
Filed under: Uncategorized · Tags: cry, Jinnah's Pakistan, lawyer, net
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Android Guy (January 19, 2011 at 2:22 am):
Sir, your query jumps to your own preconceived conclusions before even it is made. Kashmir is an occupied territory and as such there will never be any shortage of those wanting to overthrow the Indian occupation. As for as “strategic plays ” are concerned; those are not exclusive to Pakistan. You country India is just as much involved in such plays.
PMA, thanks for your reply. I thought the unemployed of Punjab were being psyched up and given guns with the slogan of Islam is in danger and being sent over to Afghanistan and Kashmir. I for one would hope you can change the narrative of your country the way you outlined, with Islam not front and center. Would help all of us in the region.
Kashmir is an occupied territory …
Only under the two-nation theory.
Kashmir is an occupied territory …
Supposedly Kashmiris want to be part of one nation, but instead are part of another – that is why they are said to be occupied. Where did these multiple nations arise from? From the two-nation theory. The two nation theory says that the Muslims of the subcontinent form a distinct nation from the Hindus of the subcontinent. On what basis do they form a distinct nation? Islam.
AndroidGuy’s question has no preconceived notions, no smuggled-in premises. And it wasn’t answered.
YLH what do you think of the CCP and the III which will shadow all intel.agencies in pakistan?
This is the first step towards totalitarianism. Man you guys are screwed and still writing long articles which basically say nothing and donot counter the extremeists. Good luck and you better have a plan B and a plan c and a plan D and that blue coloured passport ready for the flight
Samachar, you have articulated my point in a much better way than I did. Indeed, the story of Pakistan may unravel if Islam isn’t put at the core of it, but then I may be pre-conceived in my thinking. But I see it as a very good sign that some Pakistanis who otherwise subscribe to the nationalist anti-Indian rhetoric about that country are trying to reimagine Pakistan in a way that only could perhaps save it and may, just may, save a few Indian lives. A narrative that can reduce the force of jehadi culture (that would be one result out of such a narrative, perhaps?) can only benefit everybody concerned.
AndroidGuy,
There is a very explicit secular Muslim narrative and theology represented in the Indian nationalist Jamaat-i-Ulema-Hind. Even the remnants in India of Maududi’s Jamaat-i-Islami has secularized itself over the last 60 years. (That is the thesis of Irfan Ahmad’s 2009 book Islamism and democracy in India: the transformation of Jamaat-e-Islami. Many pages are visible in Google Books.)
How, if at all, Pakistan constructs an **alternate secular** narrative is going to be interesting.
@Samachar
What is alternate secular narative? Another experiment at the expense of minorities? Thanks, but no thanks.
One can’t be little bit secular any more than one can be a little bit pregnant. Religion is between an individual and God. State has no business poking its nose into one’s spirituality. That is the only way to guarantee a space for free will, which is mandatory for a true Muslim.
If religion can be used to carve_out/create a state, why can’t/shouldn’t
it be used to govern that state?
Maulana Azad made some significant predictions about Pakistan in interviews to Shorish Kashmiri, editor of a Lahore magazine Chattan, 1946.
“The moment the creative warmth of Pakistan cools down, the contradictions will emerge and will acquire assertive overtones. These will be fuelled by the clash of interests of international powers and consequently both wings will separate…
“After the separation of East Pakistan, whenever it happens, West Pakistan will become the battleground of regional contradictions and disputes,” Azad had said.
Azad had warned that the “evil consequences of Partition” will not affect India alone.
“Pakistan will be equally haunted by them… We must remember that an entity conceived in hatred shall last only as long as that hatred lasts. This hatred shall overwhelm relations between India and Pakistan. In this situation it will not be possible for India and Pakistan to become friends and live amicably unless some catastrophic event takes place.”
IK sb,
The aforesaid interview has been proved to be a hoax in this very forum.
Regards
Ah the shorish kashmiri hoax all over again.
irony is that it is proving true with mathematical precision
irony is that it is proving true with mathematical precision
what’s ironic about a hoax proving true? esp when the hoaxer was also one of the committed saboteurs.
Usman bhai,
That seems to be a fair comment. Suresh Kashmiri was merely predicting what he (and his likes) were plotting anyway, you cud argue tho’ that he shud not have been sanguine about succeeding.
Regards
There are only claims and no strong evidence to prove that this Azad’s interview was fudged. Even if it was, as YLH claims in 70s, it has lot of predictions which have proved true now. This is also a valid argument that Congress in independent India has treated muslims as a mere vote bank and Shah Bano case speaks about that. There has not been an honest attempt from Congress to uplift and educate muslim masses in independent India.
PMA says it very correctly that Kashmir is an occupied territory. Yes 2 countries occupied some 60 years back.
now these two countries should bury the hatchet and agree on partitioning Kashmir and stop these ‘billions of dollars’ exercise of usurping Kashmir. India has realised it. It is just a matter of confirmation from Pakistan where the LOC can be the international border.
Pakistan should now concentrate on forging ties with Baluchistan which it may seriously lose in all fairness in a decade or so it forgets good governance and concentrates only on the God and his messenger completely forgetting the human tribes, their compulsions et al
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE PAKISTANI INTELLIGENTSIA, religion doesnot cure maladies of poverty, inequality and lack of governance
Make peace with India. No point doing missiles in the name of Ghori, Ghazni et al whom we heavily resent. Marauders have never been a solution. Likewise Kasab was never and/ will never be your solution.
Lets forge Information Technology ties. India is already 4 trillion in PPP terms. 4th largest.
You are very close to China No 1 in PPP terms. You should forge ties with India No 4 in PPP terms and grow Prosperity
Ghazni, Ghori and Abdali and other bastards are dead for christ sake. You cannot win over by war any more. AND WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ??? FOR WHAT JOY?? It is passe now
Any terrorist bitch entering India in the name of religion will be mercilessly slaughtered. That is the general feedback from ordinary Indians
I REPEAT Any terrorist bitch entering India in the name of religion will be mercilessly slaughtered. That is the general feedback from ordinary Indians
Prasad, you have to mercilessly slaughter that jihadi dog BEFORE he can mercilessly slaughter even a single Indian/resident. What has your govt done so far to make sure that happens? Nothing at all. So relax and pressure your govt to improve the internal security apparatus. Anyway, this point is irrelevant here, so lets stick to the topic at hand.
Android – I appreciate your views. We are sticking to the topic that of saying a BIG NO to Jinnah’s so called clever mixing of religion with secular state. To give you an instance, Nehru wrote a letter to all state Govts in the 1950′s when there was a big wave to rebuild Somnath Temple in Gujarat…..Nehru said and I repeat here that the State is NOT RESPONSIBLE to the construction and individuals contributed for the construction….Such was that man’s commitment for the nationbuilding…ALL OF US SUPPORT THAT…..then and now….
ON handling terror,,,The Govt has done very well. They will kickass anyone who will spew venom in the name of religion be it muslim or hindu. Yes being developing nation and corrupt overall, The govt will take sometime to take kickass actions of the likes of say USA and China ie to fix the ‘Jadh’ of all problems…there is a limit to nonsense in the name of religion and victories in the name of marauders which is of no sense in today’s age
majumdar, he shud not have been sanguine about succeeding.
not even with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight that he had when he actually produced the hoax? the deed had been done and successful by then, though he and his ilk were mere accomplices. the rest of the success that followed would have been beyond even his own dreams.
to quote a random part/passage, Azad allegedly says
“Many Ulema were with Akbare Azam too; they invented a new religion for him. Do not discuss individuals. Our history is replete with the doings of the Ulema who have brought humiliation and disgrace to Islam in every age and period. ”
was he saying that about his own ancestor, maulana jamaluddin and his position of distinction at akbar’s court, that he proudly use to tell people about? the rest of the passage is clearly about the more superficial views of someone like shorish, rather than the more complicated (ghair taqleedi) azad.
@ Yasser Latif Hamdani
“…..What the League has done is to set you free from the reactionary elements of Muslims and to create the opinion that those who play their selfish game are traitors. It has certainly freed you from that undesirable element of maulvis and maulanas…..”
YLH: Thank you for bringing to light these seldom quoted but extremely pertinent words of Jinnah regarding the “undesirable element”.
@ Humanity (January 18, 2011 at 4:01 am)
“…..Allah’s help will come in mysterious way, insh’Allah. The land of a gentle, tolerant, progressive nation is Jinnah’s road map for our beloved Pakistan. The sacrifice of people who believed in this vision will not be in vain!…..”
Insha Allah.
PMA has his mantra of Kashmir being an occupied territory.
True – but occupied by whom?
By an ideology created not in Kashmir but in far of Arabia.
If that crux of the matter can’t be debated openly and safely in Kashmir then it proves how evil this occupation is and has been all along.
@ amar (January 25, 2011 at 8:34 am)
“…..Kashmir being an occupied territory. True – but occupied by whom? By an ideology created not in Kashmir but in far of Arabia…..”
Are you suggesting that the Indian Army patrolling Srinagar represents an Arabian ideology?
@ Bin Ismail
Are you suggesting that the Indian Army patrolling Srinagar represents an Arabian ideology?
Maybe amar meant Yazidi ideology, who was an arab.
Yazidi ideology within the indian army patrolling Srinagar