THE ARREST OF MAULVI MOHAMMAD YAQUB KHAN-PART 1

September 16, 1927.

Central Jail Mianwali 

Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub Khan was arrested on the afternoon of the 9th instant under Section 153-A Indian Penal Code. The exact portions of his articles on which his prosecution has been sanctioned are not yet known but it is conjectured that the note headed “Every Hindu a Rajpal” published in the issue dated 16th August 1927 is the one in question.

As the case is pending before a Law Court, we refrain from making any comments on merits. It would, however, be unfair to our readers if we do not explain the circumstances, which have led to the prosecution. The Hindu Press, which was anxious for the arrest of any Mussalman journalist after the Editor of ” Vartman ” had been convicted, agitated on the said article of ” The Light.” The Government in an unfortunate communique repeated the answer that Sir John Maynard had given some three years ago in the Punjab Legislative Council to a question put to him demanding reasons why the author of ” Unniswin Sadi Ka Maharishi ” had not been prosecuted. Sir John Maynard had, at that time, pertly remarked that the Hindus, had not in fact, been offended by the said pamphlet and supported his answer by saying that there had been no exhibition of their feelings in the form of agitation. In our opinion the Government acted unwisely in publishing this answer in the form of a communique at a time when the Hindu-Muslim tension had created critical conditions in the country. We can put no other meaning on this action of the Government except that it suggested to the Hindu Leaders and the Hindu Press that they should make an uproar for the prosecution of a Mussalman journalist. We want to warn the Government and the Hindus that such prosecutions will not bring peace to the country. The policy of this paper has been that of conciliation and if the Editor, the printer and publisher can be arrested without even a warning given to them, we have every reason to believe that the Government has been led into making this mistake by the pressure brought upon it by the Hindu agitation. If the Government is really anxious to bring about a settlement in accordance with the wishes of the Viceroy expressed in his speech, and if anything good can be expected to come out of the ” Unity Conference,” the Government should at once withdraw this case. It is an irony of circumstances that just at the time when the Government is taking drastic steps at Shimla to do away with Hindu-Muslim quarrels, it should be doing things at Lahore which can only promote Hindu-Muslim enmity. There seems to be bankruptcy of statesmanship in the affairs of Government at Lahore.

We want to bring it to the notice of the Punjab Government that by removing such cool-headed and peace-loving journalists as Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub Khan from the affairs of the country, it is committing a blunder, the gravity of which will be known only when there is greater chaos in the country. By prosecuting Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub Khan who was the first to condemn the murderer of Swami Shardhanand the Government has disabled a man who contributed towards Hindu-Muslim unity, at a time when his services were most needed.

We request the readers of the ” Light ” to continue the work for which Maulvi Mohamad Yaqub Khan lived and for which he has gone to jail. The internal social reform should be carried on with vengeance; the financial condition of the Musalmans should be bettered in all possible ways, and every effort should be made to save them from the financial slavery of the Hindus.

Although confined in an uncomfortable jail like ordinary under-trial prisoners, Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub Khan is as firm as any true believer was who went to jail for the sake of God and his religion. Beginning from the Prophet Joseph down to the humblest of our Prophet’s followers including the editor of this paper, all have left their mark on history by suffering for the sake of truth. We sincerely hope that the cause, for which he has gone to jail will prosper more in his absence by the example that he has set. Every reader of the ” Light,” if he is worth being called its reader, must always remain steadfast and ready to undergo any hardship for the sake of the principles for which this paper stands.

CONVICTION OF THE ACCUSED

Arguments were addressed to the Court by the defence represented by Messrs. Aziz Ahmad and Malik Barkat Ali on the 22nd December (1927) and by the prosecution represented by R.B. Jawala Prasad, Public Prosecutor, the next day. The verdict was reserved for today. But yesterday at 10 A.M. Mr. E.H. Lincoln, Additional District Magistrate went to the Borstal Jail, Lahore, where he announced the verdict before the Editor, the Printer and the Publisher of The Light. All three accused were convicted. The Editor was sentenced to fifteen months rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 1000 and the Printer and the Publisher to three months rigorous imprisonment each.

A CONGRATULATION

(The following letter has been addressed to Maulvi Muhammad Yaqub Khan, Editor The Light, by Mrs.Zahida Pearl of London)

My Dearest Brother,                                                                                                                      

Salaam Alaikum!

Fancy! Free accommodation in one of His Majesty’s Hotels (prison).

Lucky man!

I’d love to spend 2 or 3 weeks there not the Bed of Breakfast kind but the kind that THEY think is the hardest!! Hardest bed, hon’ble food and all the 101 things that PLEASE        THEM. For WHO can HURT US? Our Bodies are NOT us! and our souls which NO MAN can DESTROY, belongs to God! Personally, I think you are a lucky man to have the courage of your convictions.How FEW HAVE! ALAS! So, keep smiling, take down every item of what the rules and regulations are and how the other brothers and sisters are treated.What sort of food, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., and remember that there can’t be such a person or thing as a Sick Saint (sic)!!!

But really—I’m really laughing at the thought and my memory goes back to a day. You were called to a Prison in the North (A reference to Maulvi Mohd. Yaqub Khan´s  visit to Durham Jail, while at Woking, at the invitation of Home Office, to render spiritual assistance to a condemned Muslim in the prison)  do you remember? Anyhow try and write to me – I wonder. Did you get a large parcel of books etc., that I sent you several weeks ago, with a long letter?

We are apart – visibly I’ll run but no C.I.D. or Magistrates, Judges or other full bloom personalities can stop our spirits from travelling when and where WE CHOSE. So, look out! I may visit you and make you laugh over many incidents and if the very material jailor heals you his keys will clunk! and all his Open Sesames will be of NO AVAIL.He will report, what his brain can conjure up, for he will KNOW nothing and understand LESS.

Here at 79. The sun is shining which fact in itself should cause a smile. Sun shining? you say in England. Oh, what an omen! And when dear Sun does smile everything takes on a different attitude. The soft breezes say shall we take a message auntie Pearl? Oh no, let me, says the rain. Whilst the Sun smiles and says, even whilst you are thinking of these loving thoughts for your Brother in His Majesty’s  Hotel, I’ve already told HIM whereat the wind and the rain start off at once to give you their version which you`ll understand. One language which is Universal for “Love”. All know but each express in its own particular way.

Be grateful for the opportunity and know that “Iron bars do not a prison make” and that Right always wins in the end for right is might. Many loving thoughts are ever on the wing not only to you but to all your LOVED ones and all who know you.

Zahida Pearl

November 3, 1927

London.

June 14, 1928

Maulvi Muhammad Yaqub Khan Sahib, ex-Editor of the Light, was released on June 12, 1928 from Mianwali Jail and arrived at Lahore the next day morning where he was accorded a grand reception.