Jinnah no dictator

Jinnah no dictator

I refer to the article Azad Kashmir: A 'free' area in
Pakistan-occupied territory. This article written by RK Dasgupta
has been published in an Indian newspaper The Statesman and was
reproduced by The Jakarta Post on Aug. 2, 2001. The article
contains a number of inaccuracies and distorted facts.

The writer among other things referred to Quaid-e-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah as Pakistan's first dictator in civilian
clothes. However, as a matter of fact Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali
Jinnah was a person of humanity, justice and equality. While
addressing the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on Aug. 11,
1947, Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah stated inter-alia that, "Today, you
might say with justice that Roman Catholics and Protestants do
not exist; what exists now is that every man is a citizen, an
equal citizen, and they are all members of the nation."

In another instance, while inaugurating the Pakistan
Constituent Assembly on Aug. 14, 1947, the father of the nation
Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah stated inter-alia that "tolerance and
good will that great Emperor Akbar showed to all the non-Muslims
(in India) is not of recent origin. It dates back thirteen
centuries when our prophet, not only by words but by deeds,
treated the Jews and Christians, after he conquered them with the
utmost tolerance, with regard and respect for their faith and
beliefs. The whole history of Muslims, wherever they rule, is
replete with those humane and great principles which should be
followed and practiced."

In a message sent to the (Hindu) refugees on the occasion of a
tour of the riot-affected areas in Karachi on Jan. 9, 1948,
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, stated inter-alia, "I once more
want to impress upon all Muslims they should fully cooperate with
the government and the officials in protecting their Hindu
neighbors against these lawless elements, filthy columnists and
the cliques who are responsible for creating these disturbances,
and restore trust and confidence among all the communities."

On Feb. 3, 1948, while addressing the Parsi Colony Karachi,
Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, stated inter-alia that "Pakistan means
to stand by its often repeated promises of according equal
treatment of all its nationals irrespective of their cast and
creed".

Any person who professes and preaches such principles of
humanity could essentially be categorized as an upholder of
justice and equality. The same goes for Mr. Ali Jinnah.

Hence, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who believed in
equality, by any norm of natural justice, could never ever be
called a dictator.

The article reflects a very poor image of R.K. Dasgupta who
needs to enhance his knowledge. If Mr. Dasgupta had put these
facts incorrectly with malafide intent, then this constitutes an
act of intellectual dishonesty on the part of Dasgupta, which is
a heinous approach for any writer.

DR. S.M.H. RAZVI

Minister

Embassy of Pakistan

Jakarta