1. Towards a New Medina: Jinnah, the Deobandi Ulama, and the Quest for Pakistan in Late Colonial India
- Author:
- Venkat Dhulipala
- Publication Date:
- 07-2013
- Content Type:
- Research Paper
- Institution:
- India International Centre (IIC)
- Abstract:
- Towards the end of a rather long day of research in the Oriental and India Office Collections at the British Library in London, I stumbled upon a rather unexpected document in the private papers of Qaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (Dhulipala, 2014:1). The handwritten document, with its ink fading, was the record of a special séance with Jinnah’s spirit held on 13 March 1955, nearly seven years after his death and eight years after the birth of Pakistan. The séance was conducted against the backdrop of Pakistan’s first constitutional crisis, by a spiritualist hired by a government officer, a certain Mr. Ibrahim who was at hand to direct the questions. After initial pleasantries, Jinnah’s spirit was solicitously asked if it wanted to smoke a cigarette since in life the Great Leader had been a heavy smoker. On the basis of an affirmative answer, a cigarette was lit and fixed on a wire stand for the spirit to smoke while it answered questions. Mr. Ibrahim began, ‘Sir, as a creator and father of Pakistan, won’t you guide the destiny of the nation now?’ The spirit reacted testily saying that it was not its responsibility to guide Pakistan’s destiny any more. A worried Mr. Ibrahim enquired, ‘Don’t you think there is a prosperous future for Pakistan?’ The spirit responded icily, ‘I don’t think so. Prosperity of a country depends on the selflessness of people who control its Destiny. None at all is eager to be selfless there.’ Mr. Ibrahim pressed further. ‘What advice would you give to the present rulers of Pakistan?’ Prompt came the response: ‘Selflessness, selflessness. That is the only advice I can give them now.’ Jinnah’s spirit then made a telling remark.‘ It is easier to acquire a country, but it is extremely difficult to retain it. That in a nutshell is the present position of Pakistan to gain which rivers of blood flowed.’ As the interview drew to an end, Mr. Ibrahim finally asked ‘How are you spending your time nowadays?’ Jinnah’s spirit replied gloomily, ‘Not very well friend. Evil pictures regarding Pakistan are badly in my mind every now and then and I cannot live in mental peace here.’
- Topic:
- Religion, History, Spiritualism, Spirituality, and Libraries
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan and India