The USA still Should immediately allow UKraine to use long range missiles (ii)- Russia can easily be deterred from precipitating an escalated / nuc
Tampering of Objective Resolution is condemnable. By Rev. Dr. Rashid Gill, Canada.
The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the Constitution of 1973 in the era of the late Zulifkar Ali Bhutto. This constitution was a product of mutual understanding of Ruling and opposition parties, which was very democratic in its nature according
But it is unfortunate that some negative elements that were against the creation of Pakistan at the first place did not keep silent even after the creation of Pakistan. As and when they got a chance, they tried to unstable Pakistan. Sometimes, they objected that the creation of Pakistan at the loss of countless lives and billions of dollars is not justified. Sometimes fundamentalists like Jamat-e-Islami called Quaid-e-Azam Kafir-e-Azam and Pakistan was branded as NA PAKISTAN. (UNCLEAN)
The main reason behind these accusations was that Quaid-eAzam Mohammad Ali Jinnah did not like to make Pakistan a 'Theocratic State' as per the wishes of Jamat-e-Islami and alike religious parties. Quaid-Azam did not bow down to their demands and stated his vision about newly found state as follows. Addressing to the first Constituent Assembly He said.
"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed- that has nothing to do with the business of the State."
The above-mentioned statement has been very troublesome for Islamist and fundamentalists because they did not like to give equal rights to the minorities living in Pakistan. Here excerpts of interview of Mr. Jinnah's gave to different journalists are mentioned in order to give a brief idea of Mr. Jinnah's vision about newly created State specially relating to the rights of minorities. Addressing to the Press Conference held on July 14,1947. Quaid-e-Azam Mohamad Ali Jinnah was asked.
Q. Could you as governor-general make a brief statement on the minorities' problem?
A. At present I am only governor-general designate. We will assume for a moment on August 15, that I shall really be the governor-general of Pakistan. On that assumption, let me tell you that I shall not depart from what I said repeatedly with regard to the minorities. Every time I spoke about the minorities I meant what I said. Their religion or faith or belief will be secure. There will be no interference of any kind with their freedom of worship. They will have their protection with regard to their religion, faith, their life, and their culture. They will have their rights and privileges and no doubt along with this goes the obligations of citizenship. Therefore, the minorities have their responsibilities also, and they will play their part in the affairs of this state. As long, as the minorities are loyal to the state and owe true allegiance, and as long as I have any power, they need have no apprehension of any kind.
Q. Would your interest in the Muslims of Hindustan continue as it is today?
A. My interest will continue in Hindustan in every citizen and particularly the Muslims.
Q. As president of the All India Muslim League what measures do you propose to adopt to assure the safety of Muslims in Hindu provinces?
A. All that I hope for is that the Muslims in the Hindustan states will be treated as justly as I have indicated we propose to treat non- Muslim minorities. I have stated the broad principles of policy, but actual question of safeguards and protection for minorities in the respective states can only be dealt with by the Constituent Assembly.
Q. What are your comments on recent statements and speeches of certain Congress leaders to the effect that If Hindus in Pakistan are treated badly they will treat Muslims in Hindustan worse?
A. I hope they will get over this madness and follow the line I am suggesting. It is no use picking up the statements of this man here or that man there. You must remember that in every country there are crooks, cranks, and what I call mad people.
Q. Would you like minorities to stay in Pakistan or would you like an exchange of population?
A. As far as I can speak for Pakistan, I say that there is no reason for any apprehension on the part of the minorities in Pakistan. It is for them to decide what they should do. All I can say is that there is no reason for any apprehension so far as I can speak about Pakistan. It is for them to decide. I cannot order them.
Q. Will Pakistan be a secular or theocratic state?
A. You are asking me a question that is absurd. I do not know what a theocratic state means. A correspondent suggested that a theocratic state meant where only people of a particular religion, for example Muslims, could be full citizen and non-Muslims would not be full citizens. Then it seems to me that what I have already said is like throwing water on a duck's back. When you talk of democracy I am afraid you have not studies Islam. We learned democracy thirteen centuries ago. Just under one month later, on August 11, Jinnah addressed his Constituent Assembly at Karachi. He told the future legislators:
"… You will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to Muslims, not in the religious sense because that is personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the state."
From foregoing excerpt of Mr. Jinnah's interview a common person without any difficulty can understand that He did not like to make Pakistan " Theocratic State" as being said by fundamentalists and fanatics. He was not in favour of discriminatory laws either. Respectfully He said I couldn't order minorities. It is up to them whether or not they want to live in Pakistan. This is their decision. Minorities decided to stay in Pakistan because they were assured equal rights like Muslims majority. They were further assured they every citizens of Pakistan would be part and parcel of the state. In the spirit of true democracy Minorities shall participate in the business of state. Nowhere in his speeches he said that people belonging to minorities should not be allowed to become President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Pakistan. Where as under the pressure of fundamentalists and fanatics, "The Objective Resolution" has been deliberately amended to deprive the minorities of their democratic and legal rights. This is highly injustice and dishonesty, which is being shown towards minorities. This is like insulting the founder of Pakistan Mohamad Ali Jinnah. His statements are deliberately tampered,
Amended and changed to fulfill the desire of those who were against the creation of Pakistan? To prove my point I would like to re-write here the section, which has been amended to read as
" Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed.
" Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah;
" Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities*** profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures."
The above-mentioned clause of the Constitution has been tampered. The original version of this clause says.
"Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures."
In order to make the long story short, I would like to say that "The Objective Resolution" which was proposed by the late Liaquat Ali Khan and passed by Constituent Assembly was not agreed by the members of minorities at the first place. When questioned by minority's leaders as to whose interpretation of Islam would be considered criteria? Leaders of minorities expressed their concern on this section of the said "The Objective Resolution" gives upper hand to Muslim. Liaquat Ali Khan said "No". This is not the case because the section of the said "Resolution" says that
"Wherein the State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people' it means Mullahs can not prevail. The point I just want to make here is that the leaders of the minorities objected the said "Resolution" at the first place. This was an effort from Liaquat Ali Khan to please Muslim clergy because being Mahajir he did not have strong vote bank. Unfortunately his insertion has caused confusion in the "The Objective Resolution".
However, the said "Resolution" has been tampered deliberately to deprive minorities of their equal rights. Funnily enough this dishonesty is being done in the name of religion. Moreover, it is directly contradictory to Quaid-Azam vision of Pakistan. Let me conclude this article with the statement of Quaid-e-Azam Mohamad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
" Well gentlemen, I do not wish to take up any more time and thank you again for the honour you have done to me. I shall always be guided by the principles of justice and fair play with any, as is put in the political language, prejudice or ill will, in other words, partiality or favoritism. My guiding principle will be justice and complete impartiality, and I am sure that your support and co-operation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest nations of the world."
The aim of writing this article is to create awareness in Christian Community about the rights in the light of Quaid-eAzam views and set the record straight. If anyone interested to know more or wish to get the resources, writer of this article shall be delighted to provide it.
Rev. Dr. Rashid Gill,
Brampton, Canada.
The main reason behind these accusations was that Quaid-eAzam Mohammad Ali Jinnah did not like to make Pakistan a 'Theocratic State' as per the wishes of Jamat-e-Islami and alike religious parties. Quaid-Azam did not bow down to their demands and stated his vision about newly found state as follows. Addressing to the first Constituent Assembly He said.
"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed- that has nothing to do with the business of the State."
The above-mentioned statement has been very troublesome for Islamist and fundamentalists because they did not like to give equal rights to the minorities living in Pakistan. Here excerpts of interview of Mr. Jinnah's gave to different journalists are mentioned in order to give a brief idea of Mr. Jinnah's vision about newly created State specially relating to the rights of minorities. Addressing to the Press Conference held on July 14,1947. Quaid-e-Azam Mohamad Ali Jinnah was asked.
Q. Could you as governor-general make a brief statement on the minorities' problem?
A. At present I am only governor-general designate. We will assume for a moment on August 15, that I shall really be the governor-general of Pakistan. On that assumption, let me tell you that I shall not depart from what I said repeatedly with regard to the minorities. Every time I spoke about the minorities I meant what I said. Their religion or faith or belief will be secure. There will be no interference of any kind with their freedom of worship. They will have their protection with regard to their religion, faith, their life, and their culture. They will have their rights and privileges and no doubt along with this goes the obligations of citizenship. Therefore, the minorities have their responsibilities also, and they will play their part in the affairs of this state. As long, as the minorities are loyal to the state and owe true allegiance, and as long as I have any power, they need have no apprehension of any kind.
Q. Would your interest in the Muslims of Hindustan continue as it is today?
A. My interest will continue in Hindustan in every citizen and particularly the Muslims.
Q. As president of the All India Muslim League what measures do you propose to adopt to assure the safety of Muslims in Hindu provinces?
A. All that I hope for is that the Muslims in the Hindustan states will be treated as justly as I have indicated we propose to treat non- Muslim minorities. I have stated the broad principles of policy, but actual question of safeguards and protection for minorities in the respective states can only be dealt with by the Constituent Assembly.
Q. What are your comments on recent statements and speeches of certain Congress leaders to the effect that If Hindus in Pakistan are treated badly they will treat Muslims in Hindustan worse?
A. I hope they will get over this madness and follow the line I am suggesting. It is no use picking up the statements of this man here or that man there. You must remember that in every country there are crooks, cranks, and what I call mad people.
Q. Would you like minorities to stay in Pakistan or would you like an exchange of population?
A. As far as I can speak for Pakistan, I say that there is no reason for any apprehension on the part of the minorities in Pakistan. It is for them to decide what they should do. All I can say is that there is no reason for any apprehension so far as I can speak about Pakistan. It is for them to decide. I cannot order them.
Q. Will Pakistan be a secular or theocratic state?
A. You are asking me a question that is absurd. I do not know what a theocratic state means. A correspondent suggested that a theocratic state meant where only people of a particular religion, for example Muslims, could be full citizen and non-Muslims would not be full citizens. Then it seems to me that what I have already said is like throwing water on a duck's back. When you talk of democracy I am afraid you have not studies Islam. We learned democracy thirteen centuries ago. Just under one month later, on August 11, Jinnah addressed his Constituent Assembly at Karachi. He told the future legislators:
"… You will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to Muslims, not in the religious sense because that is personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the state."
From foregoing excerpt of Mr. Jinnah's interview a common person without any difficulty can understand that He did not like to make Pakistan " Theocratic State" as being said by fundamentalists and fanatics. He was not in favour of discriminatory laws either. Respectfully He said I couldn't order minorities. It is up to them whether or not they want to live in Pakistan. This is their decision. Minorities decided to stay in Pakistan because they were assured equal rights like Muslims majority. They were further assured they every citizens of Pakistan would be part and parcel of the state. In the spirit of true democracy Minorities shall participate in the business of state. Nowhere in his speeches he said that people belonging to minorities should not be allowed to become President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Pakistan. Where as under the pressure of fundamentalists and fanatics, "The Objective Resolution" has been deliberately amended to deprive the minorities of their democratic and legal rights. This is highly injustice and dishonesty, which is being shown towards minorities. This is like insulting the founder of Pakistan Mohamad Ali Jinnah. His statements are deliberately tampered,
Amended and changed to fulfill the desire of those who were against the creation of Pakistan? To prove my point I would like to re-write here the section, which has been amended to read as
" Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam shall be fully observed.
" Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah;
" Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities*** profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures."
The above-mentioned clause of the Constitution has been tampered. The original version of this clause says.
"Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures."
In order to make the long story short, I would like to say that "The Objective Resolution" which was proposed by the late Liaquat Ali Khan and passed by Constituent Assembly was not agreed by the members of minorities at the first place. When questioned by minority's leaders as to whose interpretation of Islam would be considered criteria? Leaders of minorities expressed their concern on this section of the said "The Objective Resolution" gives upper hand to Muslim. Liaquat Ali Khan said "No". This is not the case because the section of the said "Resolution" says that
"Wherein the State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people' it means Mullahs can not prevail. The point I just want to make here is that the leaders of the minorities objected the said "Resolution" at the first place. This was an effort from Liaquat Ali Khan to please Muslim clergy because being Mahajir he did not have strong vote bank. Unfortunately his insertion has caused confusion in the "The Objective Resolution".
However, the said "Resolution" has been tampered deliberately to deprive minorities of their equal rights. Funnily enough this dishonesty is being done in the name of religion. Moreover, it is directly contradictory to Quaid-Azam vision of Pakistan. Let me conclude this article with the statement of Quaid-e-Azam Mohamad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
" Well gentlemen, I do not wish to take up any more time and thank you again for the honour you have done to me. I shall always be guided by the principles of justice and fair play with any, as is put in the political language, prejudice or ill will, in other words, partiality or favoritism. My guiding principle will be justice and complete impartiality, and I am sure that your support and co-operation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest nations of the world."
The aim of writing this article is to create awareness in Christian Community about the rights in the light of Quaid-eAzam views and set the record straight. If anyone interested to know more or wish to get the resources, writer of this article shall be delighted to provide it.
Rev. Dr. Rashid Gill,
Brampton, Canada.
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