Nigar-i-Sehr Ki Hasrat Mein: Meraj Muhammad Khan Aur Awami Hakmiat Ki Purazm Jidojehd
Compiled and edited by Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed
Institute of Historical & Social Research
ISBN: 978-969-9147-17-3
575pp.

What was the charisma in the personality of Meraj Muhammad Khan (MMK) that continues to attract the writers to pen books on his life and activities? Starting his public life as a student leader representing the National Students Federation (NSF), MMK stood against Gen Ayub Khan’s martial law and had Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) nominate him as his successor before serious differences took them apart.

MMK’s popularity appears to have increased after his death in 2016, with a book in Urdu on him, by Rasheed Jamal. About his death, the latter wrote that the last lamp of left-wing politics had been extinguished. This was followed by another book, in 2017, by Arshad Butt, who called him a great revolutionary leader of the politics of resistance.

Recently, Shamim Ahmad, a former chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and a friend of MMK, came up with a book titled My Friend Meraj — An Intimate Biography. It delves into the often-volatile life and times of the leftist politician and perennial activist.

Now, another book on MMK, Nigar-i-Sehar Ki Hasrat Mein [Longing for a Beautiful Dawn], has been published. It is compiled and edited by Dr Jaffer Ahmed and is based on observations and articles on MMK by a number of writers, some documents, MMK’s interviews by some prominent journalists and others, his own narration of the torture and the humiliating treatment meted out to him by the police, and recollections from various sources on his love-hate relationship with Bhutto, etc. The title of the book has been derived from a verse of Sahir Ludhianvi, the famous socialist poet from the Bollywood industry.

Dr Jaffer has called the book a “Festschrift”, ie a volume of writings by different authors presented as a tribute or memorial. It contains writings on MMK’s more than 60 years of political struggle and his own narrative of early life in Qaim Gunj in India’s Uttar Pradesh, followed by his education in Delhi.

Yet another book on the late leftist leader Meraj Muhammad Khan is a comprehensive look at his life and struggles, bringing together diverse articles about him, as well as documents, interviews and his own writings

The author has made great effort in writing and compiling this comprehensive book, which covers all aspects of MMK’s challenging life. MMK was a man of such a strong character that he would always prefer to face the forces of oppression rather than compromising on his principles, which were based on ameliorating the lot of the oppressed and the marginalised.

MMK was blunt, a forceful revolutionary, possessed in-depth knowledge of history and society and had mesmerising writing and oratory skills. Having all these unusual traits, one could predict even during his education days that he would play some major role in the country’s history.

In the chapter entitled ‘Tareekh Bolti Hai’ [History Speaks], MMK writes that his ancestors had migrated to Qaim Gunj from Afghanistan around three centuries ago. After his initial school education in the hometown, his elder brother, Minhaj Barna, got him admitted to Jamia Millia Delhi. This institution was run by Dr Zakir Hussain, who also later became president of India. According to MMK, seeing Dr Zakir Hussain, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at Jamia Millia, had quite an impact on building his thinking.

After Partition in 1947, MMK’s father, Maulvi Taj Muhammad Khan, had permanently settled in Quetta, but the rest of the family members shifted there only two years later. Maulvi Taj continued his practice as a hakeem and had developed a friendship with the local Sardars and other prominent persons who would come to him for treatment. He also had command over some Eastern languages and possessed oratory skills, which were inherited by MMK.

In 1962 and 1963, MMK was twice banished from Karachi, along with other students, for agitating against Ayub Khan’s despotic government. As secretary-general of the NSF, he actively participated in campaigning for Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, who was the candidate of the combined opposition in the presidential elections of 1964 against Ayub Khan.

ZAB was the foreign minister in Ayub Khan’s cabinet but developed serious differences with the military ruler over the signing of the Tashkent Agreement with India, after the 1965 war between the two countries. There were large-scale agitations across the country against Ayub’s government, mostly by students who supported ZAB’s views that the Tashkent Agreement was a “political surrender” to India.

ZAB resigned in June 1966, expressing strong opposition to Ayub’s regime. On November 30, 1967, he launched the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on an ‘Islamic socialist’ platform, in a convention held at Dr Mubashir Hassan’s house in Lahore. Several prominent left-wing politicians in the country joined hands against the rule of Ayub Khan under the leadership of ZAB. Noteworthy among them was MMK, a staunch socialist, who played a major role in developing ZAB’s inclination towards socialism.

In this convention, attended by ZAB, MMK, Dr Mubashir, J.A. Rahim, Khurshid Hassan Mir, Mukhtar Rana and others, the party’s name and flag were approved. On Bhutto’s asking, MMK described the three colours in the flag, designed by J.A. Rahim, as follows:

“The black colour depicts oppression, exploitation and poverty; red represents the youth and labour classes, who believe in resistance and struggle; and the green portrays prosperity, high social values, restoration of human rights and the end of feudalism, capitalism and exploitative systems. The crescent and the star display the history of Muslims.”

According to MMK, the slogan of ‘roti, kapra aur makaan’ [bread, clothing and housing), was already used by the trade unions and adopted by ZAB as his election manifesto. Besides, ZAB had committed to the elimination of feudal and capitalist systems, along with the exploitation of workers and peasants; ending the domination of imperialist powers by coming out from military pacts such as SEATO and CENTO; and the abrogation of the oppressive Press and Publications Ordinance, which did not allow journalists to challenge the actions taken under it, before a court.

The PPP won a landslide victory in the general elections held in December 1970 in the then West Pakistan. MMK did not contest the elections but was assigned the portfolio of Minister of State for Public Affairs. His writings, published in the book, pertain to the years 1972 and 1973, which was also the peak period of his political life.

These writings consist of criticism of ZAB as a leader and his style of running the government. According to MMK, ZAB did not fulfil the promises made to the public during his election campaigning and there was no change in the status quo, despite the nationalisation of industries. Being disgruntled with the situation, MMK resigned from ministership in October 1972 and from PPP’s membership in November 1973.

MMK was arrested in May 1974 and the Hyderabad Tribunal sent him to jail for four years. He was set free during Gen Ziaul Haq’s government, which had banned the formation of political organisations.

Many years later, MMK joined Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in December 1997. He felt PTI’s manifesto was almost like that of ZAB before he had taken over the government. He was greatly disappointed by the failure of PTI in the 2002 elections, in which it won only one seat. He had told Imran that his organisational capabilities were quite weak and that his party had gradually become a “fan club.” He also told Imran that cricket could be by chance but not politics. MMK resigned from PTI in May 2003.

Seeing such a detailed narration of MMK’s life, thoughts and activities, one can draw the conclusion that he was, perhaps, himself responsible for his failure in politics. Having so many admirable qualities, he could have made some contributions towards the betterment of the country by participating in bringing about changes in systems rather than just criticising and ridiculing his peers and leaders.

The reviewer is a consultant in human resources at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi and Vital Pakistan Trust

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, November 3rd, 2024