By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Terming the great anti-British Indian revolutionary Maulana Abdul Hafiz Mohamed Barkatullah, known with his honorific as Barkatullah Bhopali, as a “true champion of Hindu-Muslim unity” Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav said he had motivated people of all sections of society to take part in the freedom struggle.
Yadav was addressing a function organised by Barkatullah Education & Social Service Society, Bhopal to mark Maulana (Prof.) Barkatullah Bhopali’s death anniversary here. Lok Sabha member from Bhopal Alok Sanjar, veteran journalist Lajja Shankar Hardenia, former Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy Prof. Afaq Ahmad and Shabbir Baig were present as guests of honour.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav addressing a function to mark Maulana (Prof.) Barkatullah Bhopali’s death anniversary.
Yadav recalled how during the British Rule, Maulana Barkatullah was named the first Prime Minister of Indian Government-in-exile formed in Afghanistan on December 1, 1915. Raja Mahendra Pratap was the first President in that government and Ubaidullah Sindhi was the Home Minister. The Governor exhorted young generation “to assimilate character of national leaders and follow their ideals” as it was because of “sacrifices of such great people that the present generation is able to breathe in free air.”
Yadav declared a decision will be taken soon on holding seminars and discussions on Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali’s contributions in universities and colleges.
Portrait of Maulana (Prof.) Barkatullah Bhopali.
Barkatullah was born on July 7, 1854 at Bhopal and he died on September 20, 1927 at San Francisco.
Sanjar said it is a matter of pride that Bhopal produced several great persons such as Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali who brought glory to the country and Bhopal. He recalled that when Bhopal University was being renamed as Barkatullah University a controversy erupted over renaming. “The present Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was my senior in local Hamidia College, had suggested him to read about Maulana (Prof.) Barkatullah to learn about his sacrifices, which enthused him to serve the country and society without any rancour.”
A view of a section of the audience who attended the function.
Sanjar assured to raise a demand in the Parliament to bring mortal the remains of Maulana Barkatullah to Bhopal from San Francisco in the United States of America and also lead a delegation of Bhopal people to San Francisco to pay tributes to the great soul as desired. He also assured to get the life history of the Maulana and his contributions included in the syllabi of schools and universities in the state and the national level.
Adv. Haji Mohammad Haroon, president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Madhya Pradesh Unit, & founder of Barkatullah Education & Social Service Society, Bhopal, while conducting the programme had earlier requested Sanjar to bring mortal remains of Maulana Barkatullah to Bhopal and to lead a delegation from Bhopal to his grave in the US.
Prof. Afaq Ahmad pointed out that the Maulana laid the foundation of his Government in-exile on secularism and after the Independence in 1947 it became the corner stone of the Indian Constitution. He recalled the words of the last speech of the Maulana wherein he had said: “Whatever was possible I struggled for the Independence of the country but it is disappointing that the country could not become free in my lifetime. However, I firmly believe that enthusiasm and awareness that has been instilled in the youth would not let them sit in peace and the country would soon gain freedom from the foreign yolk”.
Veteran journalist L. S. Herdenia said Barkatullah Bhopali while stressing on Hindu-Muslim unity firmly believed in the famous quote of Swami Vivekanand wherein he had said: “for our motherland, a conjunction of the two great systems, Hinduism and Islam — Vedanta Brain and Muslim Body is the only hope”.
Herdenia mentioned that Prof. Barkatullah considered fraternity and education the basic tools for achieving independence. He was a great scholar, a fearless journalist, revolutionary personified, a thinker and a multi-linguist (Bhopali knew seven languages) philosopher known all over the world.
Headstone of Maulana Barkatullah’s grave in Sacramento Historic Old City Cemetery (Courtesy: Sharon Patrician).
Shabbir Baig threw light on the educational and social activities of Barkatullah Education & Social Service Society. He requested the Governor, also the Chancellor of Madhya Pradesh Universities, to establish a “Barkatullah Chair” in the local Barkatullah University. He also urged the Governor to ensure that a seminar is held every year on the life and works of Prof. Barkatullah Bhopali so that the staff and students of the university are aware of his dynamic personality.
At the outset Adv. Haji Haroon welcomed the guests while at the conclusion of the programme Adv. Mohammad Kaleem proposed a vote of thanks.