MUSLIM LEAGUE – A HARBINGER OF AMITY AND COMMUNAL HARMONY
By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
It will be clear to any political observer in India that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is a highly secular and nationalist party engaged in protecting the rights of minorities particularly Muslims and strengthening the bonds of camaraderie among different linguistic, ethnic and religious people. It is a harbinger of amity and communal harmony. The late Qaede Millat Mohammed Ismail saheb who was elected as its President when it was formed after the partition of country in 1947 is still the soul of the party. It is the main representative body of Indian Muslims thanks to the efforts taken by the Muslim League leaders in Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the past more than 60 years.
All trusted Qaede Millat Mohammed Ismail saheb fully and the Kerala and Tamil Nadu units more so. The Kerala unit of the IUML wanted him to be its representative in the Parliament of India. He was elected to the Parliament from the Manjeri constituency in Kerala three times in 1962, 67 and 71 as an IUML candidate without even going to the constituency for electioneering. He went there only to file his nomination papers. The electorates who respected him immensely exercised their franchise in his favour and he always came out successful with a big margin of more than one lakh votes. He was secular and patriotic to the core. He asked people to follow the verse of the holy Quran: “hold tight to the rope of God and be not divided among yourselves” – Watasimu bihablillahi jameeaun walaa tafarraqoo”.
When Pakistan started a war with India in 1965, Qaede Millat while delivering a speech in the Parliament expressed his desire to send his only son Mr. Mia Khan to the battle field to fight against Pakistan. After the creation of Pakistan, he had asked the Pakistani leaders not to interfere in the internal affairs of our country India and bid adieu to them.
When the issue of national language came for discussion in the Parliament, he pleaded that his mother tongue Tamil, a rich language in all respects, should be made the national language. He was secular and patriotic to the core. He was instrumental in bringing the Muslim community on a single platform particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and making them realise the importance of unity and integrity in accordance with the Islamic dictate.
Qaede Millat echoed his voice against all kinds of injustice and encouraged righteousness from whichever quarter it came. His contribution in bringing the DMK to power in Tamil Nadu cannot be forgotten. The trio – Mr. C. Annadurai (Anna), Mr. C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Mr. Mohammed Ismail (Qaede Millat) joined together and created history in 1967 when the DMK attained power for the first time and the then DMK chief Mr. C. Annadurai became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was the first member of a Dravidian party to hold that post and was also the first non-Congress leader to form a majority government in Independent India. It was not on expected lines but the late founder leader of the DMK , Anna made it possible with the support of the above mentioned two leaders. The gift of the gab that he and his young and energetic colleagues like the present DMK chief Dr. Kalaignar Mr. M. Karunanidhi and others possessed helped them in presenting the DMK party ideology to the people in a convincing and befitting manner and winning their hearts. Muslims have been co-operating with them from day one of the DMK. Though EVR was an atheist, he used to address Meeladun Nabi functions praising Islam and Islamic ideology of equality and brotherhood. He had even written a book titled “Manitha kulam waazay Islamay Nal Wazhi (Islam is the right path for the progress of mankind)
Muslims particularly students in places even like Ambur rushed to the book stalls every week end to buy periodicals like Mani Vilakku, Muslim Murasu, Pirai, Tamil Nadu ( Tamizhnadu), Home Land, Murasoli, Thenral, Manram etc. which were brought out by Muslim and Dravidian intellectuals and leaders. The language they used and the matters they discussed were very meaningful and captivating. For example Dr. Kalaignar’s alliterative language, Mr. Kannadasan’s poetic expressions and Mr. Abdul Samad’s sweet and power packed artistry mesmerized readers like me.
Though the subject under discussion is different I mention all this to say the fact that the people connected with Dravida movements and Islam have been working together in social and political fields of activity. It is heartening to note that even today the same camaraderie exists among Muslim League and DMK leaders and followers. Insha Allah it will continue as it is based more on ideology and less on politics. Political connections may change but not ideological.
Coming to the main issue, the Muslim League has never failed to protect the causes dearer to the Muslim community, i. e. Muslim personal law, minority rights in educational institutions, reservation, safe-guard for Urdu, Arabic and Persian, etc. Even today prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen, who is the President of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Muslim League is protecting the interest of the Muslim community well. The 3.5% reservation for Muslims in education and employment sanctioned by the DMK government at the instance of the Muslim League is paying good dividends. The lacunae found in its implementation are brought to the notice of the Hon’ble TN Chief Minister and he has set up a high level committee headed by the State Chief Secretary to monitor its effective implementation. He has also announced accepting the Muslim League demand for increasing the reservation to 5% that it would be considered positively at the earliest. Muslims strongly believe that they will get this benefit as he is a better administrator and a trustworthy leader who understands their feelings and respects their sentiments.
Even in the present election scenario, the Muslim League’s large heartedness in coming forward to accept two constituencies instead of three allotted already to accommodate another political party is a testimony to the fact that it is a cooperative and dependable ally. That it got three seats later is a different matter. Now the three Muslim League candidates Mr. H. Abdul Basith, Mr. M. Mohammed Sheik Dawood and Mr. Althaf Hussain are contesting in three assembly constituencies Vaniyambadi, Nagappattinam and Chennai Harbour respectively. Insha Allah they will come out successful along with other candidates of the DMK alliance.
The message the Muslim League conveys is simple and crystal clear. That is – unity is strength. It will not be possible for any community to attain a better position in society unless it is united and works to achieve what it wants in the educational, economical and political arena in the present highly competitive and materialistic world. (VMK in The Times of League, Chennai)
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By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
It will be clear to any political observer in India that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is a highly secular and nationalist party engaged in protecting the rights of minorities particularly Muslims and strengthening the bonds of camaraderie among different linguistic, ethnic and religious people. It is a harbinger of amity and communal harmony. The late Qaede Millat Mohammed Ismail saheb who was elected as its President when it was formed after the partition of country in 1947 is still the soul of the party. It is the main representative body of Indian Muslims thanks to the efforts taken by the Muslim League leaders in Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the past more than 60 years.
All trusted Qaede Millat Mohammed Ismail saheb fully and the Kerala and Tamil Nadu units more so. The Kerala unit of the IUML wanted him to be its representative in the Parliament of India. He was elected to the Parliament from the Manjeri constituency in Kerala three times in 1962, 67 and 71 as an IUML candidate without even going to the constituency for electioneering. He went there only to file his nomination papers. The electorates who respected him immensely exercised their franchise in his favour and he always came out successful with a big margin of more than one lakh votes. He was secular and patriotic to the core. He asked people to follow the verse of the holy Quran: “hold tight to the rope of God and be not divided among yourselves” – Watasimu bihablillahi jameeaun walaa tafarraqoo”.
When Pakistan started a war with India in 1965, Qaede Millat while delivering a speech in the Parliament expressed his desire to send his only son Mr. Mia Khan to the battle field to fight against Pakistan. After the creation of Pakistan, he had asked the Pakistani leaders not to interfere in the internal affairs of our country India and bid adieu to them.
When the issue of national language came for discussion in the Parliament, he pleaded that his mother tongue Tamil, a rich language in all respects, should be made the national language. He was secular and patriotic to the core. He was instrumental in bringing the Muslim community on a single platform particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and making them realise the importance of unity and integrity in accordance with the Islamic dictate.
Qaede Millat echoed his voice against all kinds of injustice and encouraged righteousness from whichever quarter it came. His contribution in bringing the DMK to power in Tamil Nadu cannot be forgotten. The trio – Mr. C. Annadurai (Anna), Mr. C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) and Mr. Mohammed Ismail (Qaede Millat) joined together and created history in 1967 when the DMK attained power for the first time and the then DMK chief Mr. C. Annadurai became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was the first member of a Dravidian party to hold that post and was also the first non-Congress leader to form a majority government in Independent India. It was not on expected lines but the late founder leader of the DMK , Anna made it possible with the support of the above mentioned two leaders. The gift of the gab that he and his young and energetic colleagues like the present DMK chief Dr. Kalaignar Mr. M. Karunanidhi and others possessed helped them in presenting the DMK party ideology to the people in a convincing and befitting manner and winning their hearts. Muslims have been co-operating with them from day one of the DMK. Though EVR was an atheist, he used to address Meeladun Nabi functions praising Islam and Islamic ideology of equality and brotherhood. He had even written a book titled “Manitha kulam waazay Islamay Nal Wazhi (Islam is the right path for the progress of mankind)
Muslims particularly students in places even like Ambur rushed to the book stalls every week end to buy periodicals like Mani Vilakku, Muslim Murasu, Pirai, Tamil Nadu ( Tamizhnadu), Home Land, Murasoli, Thenral, Manram etc. which were brought out by Muslim and Dravidian intellectuals and leaders. The language they used and the matters they discussed were very meaningful and captivating. For example Dr. Kalaignar’s alliterative language, Mr. Kannadasan’s poetic expressions and Mr. Abdul Samad’s sweet and power packed artistry mesmerized readers like me.
Though the subject under discussion is different I mention all this to say the fact that the people connected with Dravida movements and Islam have been working together in social and political fields of activity. It is heartening to note that even today the same camaraderie exists among Muslim League and DMK leaders and followers. Insha Allah it will continue as it is based more on ideology and less on politics. Political connections may change but not ideological.
Coming to the main issue, the Muslim League has never failed to protect the causes dearer to the Muslim community, i. e. Muslim personal law, minority rights in educational institutions, reservation, safe-guard for Urdu, Arabic and Persian, etc. Even today prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen, who is the President of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Muslim League is protecting the interest of the Muslim community well. The 3.5% reservation for Muslims in education and employment sanctioned by the DMK government at the instance of the Muslim League is paying good dividends. The lacunae found in its implementation are brought to the notice of the Hon’ble TN Chief Minister and he has set up a high level committee headed by the State Chief Secretary to monitor its effective implementation. He has also announced accepting the Muslim League demand for increasing the reservation to 5% that it would be considered positively at the earliest. Muslims strongly believe that they will get this benefit as he is a better administrator and a trustworthy leader who understands their feelings and respects their sentiments.
Even in the present election scenario, the Muslim League’s large heartedness in coming forward to accept two constituencies instead of three allotted already to accommodate another political party is a testimony to the fact that it is a cooperative and dependable ally. That it got three seats later is a different matter. Now the three Muslim League candidates Mr. H. Abdul Basith, Mr. M. Mohammed Sheik Dawood and Mr. Althaf Hussain are contesting in three assembly constituencies Vaniyambadi, Nagappattinam and Chennai Harbour respectively. Insha Allah they will come out successful along with other candidates of the DMK alliance.
The message the Muslim League conveys is simple and crystal clear. That is – unity is strength. It will not be possible for any community to attain a better position in society unless it is united and works to achieve what it wants in the educational, economical and political arena in the present highly competitive and materialistic world. (VMK in The Times of League, Chennai)
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