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Press Release
“Allama Mashriqi Research Academy Demanded”
Mr. Nasim Yousaf, grandson of Allama Mashriqi (Inayatullah Khan) has been conducting research on Allama Mashriqi for a decade now, and has demanded the Government of Pakistan to establish the Allama Mashriqi Research Academy (AMRA), as such an academy is vital to the nation’s history. Mr. Nasim Yousaf traveled to London recently to continue his research on Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik (Khaksar Movement). After returning to USA, he states that a tremendous amount of material on the Khaksar Tehrik is lying un-explored at the India Office of the British Library. He urges that researchers must visit the India Office and The Centre of South Asian Studies at Cambridge University where they can find materials related to Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik. He refers particularly to the files on the Khaksar Movement and correspondence (from the late 1930's and 1940's) between the Viceroy of India and the Governors of various provinces in British India. Mr. Yousaf states that this correspondence shows the efforts of the Government of British India to crush the Khaksar Movement. The correspondence also reflects their concern and alarm regarding the Khaksar Movement, which endangered their rule in India. Mr. Yousaf deplores the fact that the material has not been properly indexed and catalogued, thus causing difficulties in accessing it quickly and efficiently. He points out that the Khaksar Tehrik's material is also available at the National Document Center (Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad), yet even there, the material is not properly indexed or catalogued.
Mr. Yousaf expresses sorrow that the Government of Pakistan has done nothing in regards to the substantial material on Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik. The Government has not put forth an attempt to make Khaksar material available in the public or in research libraries due to political controversies between the Khaksar Tehrik and the Muslim League. He places emphasis on the fact that a culture of tolerance has not yet been developed in Pakistan and that this needs to change. This is extremely important for the progression of any nation.
Keeping in mind the importance of this material to Pakistan’s national history, Mr. Yousaf recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz. A portion of the letter is as follows:
"…Mashriqi’s unprecedented services, pre and post creation of Pakistan, should not be transgressed and disregarded. It is greatly deplorable that the Pakistani nation is unaware of the truth that Allama Mashriqi founded the Khaksar Tehrik (Khaksar Movement) in 1930 with a definite purpose. Its objective was to revive the people from their deep slumber in order to bring independence to the sub-continent, uplift the suffering masses, and restore the glory of the Muslims. This Movement created history and successfully mobilized the people that led to freedom, but unfortunately the Khaksar Tehrik’s services have been completely ignored, which is unjustifiable from the nation’s point of view. The role of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars in mobilizing the public for independence needs to be made public. It is highly deplorable that many history books have distorted and misquoted Allama Mashriqi’s role. The nation needs to be apprised of the historical facts that are unknown to a vast majority. I am certain that my books that have been published (in the USA) will surely be of source of information to everyone interested in the struggle towards liberty of the nation…I would like to stress with great concern that a lot of Khaksar materials have already disappeared for various reasons and many important people from Allama Mashriqi’s time have died. Time is running out and many of the above steps [that Mr. Yousaf suggested in the letter to the Prime Minister] need to be taken at once to secure Pakistan's national heritage and history. If action is not taken soon, Pakistan's history will forever remain incomplete."
To apprise the Prime Minister of Allama Mashriqi’s contributions, unparalleled services, and sufferings during the struggle for independence, Mr. Yousaf also sent the following books to Mr.Shaukat Aziz. Mr. Yousaf is the author of these works and according to him, these are just a drop in the ocean as to what could be written on Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik:
1. “Allama Mashriqi & Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan: Two Legends of Pakistan.”
2. “Pakistan's Freedom & Allama Mashriqi: Statements, Letters, Chronology of Khaksar Tehrik (Movement), Period: Mashriqi's Birth to 1947.”
In his letter, Mr. Yousaf requested to the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to immediately issue a directive to establish the Allama Mashriqi Research Academy (AMRA). This Research Academy (AMRA) should be entrusted to perform various functions, such as collection of Khaksar materials from all sources including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s archives, Khaksars’ and the Khaksar Tehrik’s archives, India Office (U.K.), Cambridge University, as well as the archives of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and other leaders of the time. The AMRA should also be responsible for various functions such as the acquisition and translation of all Khaksar materials, including "Tazkirah” (a monumental work of Allama Mashriqi) into English and other international languages, and to ensure easy accessibility of such materials for everyone. If this is not done, research on Allama Mashriqi and Khaksar Movement will always remain incomplete and biased.
The Media and Allama Mashriqi
Mr. Yousaf also comments on the poor knowledge the nation is kept under. He regrets that the media has also not made any efforts to enlighten the nation on the role of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars in mobilizing the nation toward independence. For example, although it is a historical event and extremely important to Indo-Pak history the Khaksar massacre of March 19, 1940 in Lahore has virtually been ignored in the history books as well as in the media. People are unaware of what happened on that day and following that day. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s statement, that he issued on March 20, 1940 with regard to the Khaksar tragedy, speaks of this event’s significance. He stated: "I am deeply grieved to hear the tragic account of the incident in Lahore last evening regarding the clash between the Police and the Khaksars resulting in terrible loss of life…As one who has always been so kindly treated by the Khaksars, I appeal to them most earnestly to keep peace and not precipitate matters by defying law and order…”* It is also consequential to note that when Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was traveling to Lahore to attend the historic Muslim League Session (March 22-24, 1940), wherever his train stopped and he came out to talk to the public, they raised slogans in support of the Khaksars. The media (print, electronic, and the television) has entirely disregarded the public’s sympathy and support for the Khaksars that was evident during the entire Muslim League Session. Mr. Yousaf regrets that even on Pakistan Day, the media does not talk of this tragic occurrence nor the Khaksar Resolution, which was passed on the same day that the Pakistan Resolution was adopted by the Muslim League. He urges that the media should inform the nation of the events surrounding the Khaksar massacre –- the circumstances and the truth on what led to the Khaksar tragedy and passing of Khaksar Resolution on that momentous day. He also points out that the nation needs to know that the ban on the Khaksar Movement after March 19 was severely resisted by the Khaksars. The rulers left no stone unturned to exterminate the Movement but it prevailed and continued to mobilize the masses to rise for freedom. The fact of the matter is that, as actions by the Government to crush the Khaksar Movement grew stronger, the desire for freedom grew even greater.
Mr. Yousaf requests to journalists to conduct independent research and let the nation know of the facts of Pakistan’s history and contributions of Mashriqi and the Khaksars toward liberty. He also emphasizes that people need to read the Khaksar Tehrik’s own material to understand their perspective. People who have used non-Khaksar material in their books and writings will automatically reflect the anti-Khaksar point of view. This deflects the public from the truth.
A Reminder on Allama Mashriqi’s Contributions
Mr. Yousaf reminds journalists that Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars’ services to the nation undoubtedly stand out when you study historical documents and Khaksar Tehrik’s material. He reiterates that during the struggle movement, Mashriqi, his family, and a large number of Khaksars heavily suffered monetarily, physically, and mentally, and many Khaksars even lost their lives. Mashriqi’s life story and that of the Khaksar Movement is extremely exhilarating and moving. Indeed, Mashriqi’s life guides and inspires readers, instilling a spirit of patriotism and love for the common man. It also influences leaders to adopt simplicity, provide selfless service to the nation, and uplift the masses. It also suggests to leaders to refrain from leading high profile lifestyles while huge populations live below the poverty line and are deprived of basic necessities. In his lifetime, Mashriqi was offered various high posts, but he turned them down, as he believed in principled politics; he would not compromise his beliefs. Mashriqi set various examples in life that we can learn from.
Those who think Allama Mashriqi’s Khaksar Movement was primarily disruptive are unknowing of the truth. Mr. Yousaf does not blame people from this school of thought because the nation is kept ignorant. He points out that the military component of the Movement was for not merely seeking freedom, but also for discipline, unity, physical fitness, punctuality, community service and last but not least, character building. The Khaksar Tehrik’s basic ideology and commandments direct people to serve humanity and eradicate social prejudices. The Khaksars were to be indifferent to one’s beliefs, color, creed or caste. It was mandatory for every Khaksar to wear the badge of Akhuwat (brotherhood) on his/her shoulder; this in itself preached love, affection, and fraternity. Its noble ideology of lifting the masses and bringing a sense of brotherhood among all communities, regardless of religion, are some of the features that need to be publicized. After he was released from prison, Allama Mashriqi made a public address on January 02, 1943. As reported in the “The Hindustan Times", Delhi of January 05, 1943 “He [Mashriqi] pleaded with the Muslims for religious tolerance, broadmindedness and magnanimity. The Muslims ruled for 1,000 years only because they treated non-Muslims with consideration, loved them and shared their sorrows and troubles, he observed. The Muslim Empire showed signs of decay when Muslim Rulers became intolerant towards non-Muslims and conservatives in their religious outlook...” ? Mashriqi was not only a great philosopher but a visionary; whatever he said and did has a lesson to be learnt from.
Mr. Yousaf states that there are a lot of misconceptions that exist about the Khaksar Tehrik’s ideology and its role toward independence. Thus, it is an obligation of the media to provide equal opportunity and give coverage to all those who struggled for freedom and let nation know of each party’s contributions. Remember! All those who mobilized the nation to rise for freedom are part of Pakistan’s history and each one’s role has to be adequately highlighted. Mr. Yousaf emphasizes that the history of any nation is an important part of learning and this process must not be stopped. It is important to make every party’s point view known, as this can serve as a source of learning. In this way, the nation can learn from the rights and wrongs of different ideologies.
Mr. Yousaf vows to continue his effort to let the nation know of the services of Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksars. He is currently working on his third book, a sequel to his most recently published book, “Pakistan’s Freedom & Allama Mashriqi”; his new work will also be a great source of information for those interested in Pakistan’s history. Extracts from Mr. Yousaf’s research have also been published on the following web sites dedicated to Allama Mashriqi. Mr. Yousaf says that the web sites, listed below, dedicated to Allama Mashriqi have become an immense source for researchers, historians, authors, professors, and students, and thus far thousands of people have visited them to seek information on this great personality of the sub-continent.
http://www.allamamashriqi.info
http://www.allama-mashriqi.8m.com
Mr. Yousaf laments that, in Pakistan, those leaders get more coverage in the media who are corrupt, have looted the country with both hands, and have done nothing to uplift the masses in the past 60 years of its creation. If Pakistan is to advance, we need to highlight those with a clean record so that the youth is inspired by morality and ethics and not by corruption, immorality, deceit, falsehood, and to say the least hypocrisy. He says that true leaders like Allama Mashriqi are born once in centuries and Pakistan needs more people like them.
Mr. Yousaf Praises Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan
Keeping in view the services of Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, in his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Yousaf thanked the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for speaking at the seminars arranged in memory of Dr. Khan after his death. Mr. Yousaf also made some suggestions in respect to Dr. Khan, so that people continue to seek inspiration from his personality and his works. Mr. Yousaf suggested that a road leading to Orangi Town and the Orangi Town in Karachi be named after Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, where he rendered unprecedented services to the poor people of that area.
Those who are interested in learning more about Dr. Khan are advised to visit a web site dedicated to Dr. Khan. This site is serving as a great source to researchers, students, and others who are seeking information on Dr. Khan and his works:
http://www.akhtar-hameed-khan.8m.com
* Yousaf, Nasim. 2004. “Pakistan's Freedom & Allama Mashriqi: Statements, Letters, Chronology of Khaksar Tehrik (Movement), Period: Mashriqi's Birth to 1947.”