THE DIVISION OF INDIAN SUBCONTINENT SPLIT THE MUSLIMS OF INDIA-- ALTAF HUSSAIN

London, October 13, 2004

The founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Mr. Altaf Hussain said that had the sub-continent not been divided, the strength of Muslims would not have split and faced the prevailing situation.

He was addressing intellectuals gathering at the MQM International Secretariat, in honour of prominent Indian Poet Mr. Manzar Bhopali in the evening.

He said that according to a conservative estimate the present population of muslims in Indo-Pak Sub-continent would be at least forty crores. The division scattered forty crore Muslims, which could have been a mighty force without whose support no government could ever be formed.

Mr. Altaf Hussain in his emotion cholked voice said that the suffering Muslims in India console themselves by offering fateha at the graves of their ancestors, but unfortunately we could not even go to their graves that we left them behind at the time of Partition.

He repented that despite passage of 57 years our existence is not accepted and we are called under different humiliating names. Those who were born in Pakistan were also not accepted sons of the soil. We are now permanently settled in Sindh and consider it as our motherland hence we struggle for recognition of our rights as its citizen. We shall never leave the land of Sindh

Unfortunately those who laid down their lives and scarified everything for the creation of Pakistan were declared traitor by Pakistani establishment. The 99 percent (ninety nine percent) Bengalis who supported Pakistan were also declared traitors. Late G.M. Syed got a resolution in favour of Pakistan passed in Sindh assembly but he too was not spared and declared traitor. Our forefathers sacrificed in life and property but we are also branded as traitors.

He said those who opposed the creation of Pakistan and supported the then rulers and spied against devoted freedom fighters were later honoured with certificates and medals of Patriotism.

He recalled our more than fifteen thousands young devoted workers were brutally murdered in operation directed against them. Colonies searched and men, women, old and young were humiliated and insulted. All these atrocities were inflicted upon us when we demanded our fundamental rights.

He again reiterated that he was never against Pakistan in the past nor in the present and never be in the future. We simply want fair treatment, justice and equal share in the country’s affairs and all small provinces including Sindh should have their fair share and equal rights.

Mr. Altaf Hussain lauded the poetic efforts of Mr. Manzar Bhopali that infused new inspiration and new hopes among the people. He also thanked Mr. Tahir Faraz and senior journalist Mr. Prem Parkash for gracing the occasion.