SYYED MANSOOR AGHA analyses the march of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat amidst odds and underlines its importance in the prevailing situation.
All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), a broad-based consultative body of Indian Muslims, was founded during a meeting of Indian Muslims in Lucknow (UP) on 7-8 August 1964. It was a landmark development of post-Partition history of Indian Muslims. Dr. Syed Mahmood, a confidant of first Indian P.M. Jawahar Lal Nehru, articulated the idea of creating a unified platform of Muslims to devise strategies for resolving issues of Indian Muslims, who had become a virtually dejected lot under the aftershocks of Partition. Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Mian Nadavi, Maulana Manzoor Naumani Sanbhali, Maulana Abul Lais Islahi, Ibraheem Sulaiman Sait, Muhammad Shafi Moonis, Muhammad Muslim and Mufti Atiqur Rahman Usmani were a few among the main crusaders of the mission.
The development was warmly welcomed by all sections of Muslims. A new ray of hope dawned upon them. The euphoria was visible when AIMMM delegations toured the country. Thousands gathered at every place to greet the “unified” leadership of the community and listen to them. The unprecedented elation alarmed political circles. Unfortunately, bickering started soon. An organisation, which had been playing second fiddle to the then ruling party, was meticulously persuaded to join it. But, soon after, it ditched citing oft-repeated objection to inclusion of a particular cadre-based organisation. More shocks came when several eminent patrons chose to dissociate for one reason or another. It is indeed hard to keep hoards together if resolve to remain united is overtaken by some other interests. Certainly the organisation stood weakened but there were some visionaries who saved it from disbanding.
Strangely, at the time when the ship of AIMMM was lurking in the troubled waters, the same set of elders, who were behind the formation of AIMMM, gathered in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1973 and launched another body on the same pattern. The agenda of the main body in 2015 is overlapping the mandate of AIMMM. In May 1992 another organisation, All India Milli Council was founded at the “Ittehad-e-Millat” conference with declaration that “AIMC is a common and united platform of the Muslims in India.” Strangely, the same stalwart scholar of the Ummah was the central figure on all three occasions, 1964, 1973 and 1992.
What happened with AIMMM was not unprecedented. In 1883-84, Muslim religious scholars of all Mazahib gathered in Madrasa Faiz-e-Aam, Kanpur. After marathon discussions the idea of “Nadwatul Ulema” – a consultative body of Ulema – was conceived with a modern Madrasa. Soon the spirit of Nadwa died down. Only a Darul Uloom Nadwa stands as its relic. In 1929 eminent Muslims gathered to form Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind. A broad based semi political organisation with representation of all sections of Muslims was launched. Soon the base began shrinking. The remains of a colourful mighty river can be traced in divided rivulets. All India Muslim Personal Law Board has also divided into several parallel organisations.
In the case of AIMMM what is important is that in spite of shocks and after-shocks, the Organisation remained active. After eight years of its division two factions have once again come together. Unification is complete and cohesive. This has inspired the well-wishers. Base has also widened and strengthened. Efforts to take more key organisations on board are going on.
No doubt, the launch of AIMMM gave a positive message to Indian Muslims living in a state of depression created by the Partition and shocks of a wave of devastating “riots” designed to destroy the community morally and economically. In a nutshell, the message was – don’t be disheartened with the situation created by politicians, stand up on your own feet, follow positive approach, take like-minded persons in the fold and invest yourselves in education. Though the fanfare of launch time had diminished, yet its massage continued to work. New spirit infused in the community helped in restoring self-confidence and courage to face the hard situation. Even though anti-Muslim riots abated, engineered and patronised by the people in power continued even after 1964, yet after every riot the community rose from the ashes at its own and rebuilt its life without waiting for state support.
Now we need to move ahead under prevailing circumstances and look beyond the history and experiences of “unified platform”. There are many, but there is none. We cannot sit idle and wait for an ideal unified platform. Though the situation has remarkably improved in many fields, including education and economy yet the community is still facing so many problems. Acting with determination and moving ahead with an organisation of 51 years track record may be the best option. The celebration of Golden Jubilee is another landmark. In this period many organisations sprang with much fanfare, but dissipated like dew. AIMMM remained alive and active even amidst odds.
Now it intends to move ahead with fresh vigour and mandate. The history of “Empowerment of Indian Muslims” has taught many lessons. The idea of entirely depending on the state hardly bore any fruit. To remain aloof from political process also proved another stumbling block. We need to be self-supportive and align with other deprived sections. Resolution of our ills is hidden in the strategy that we take others also on board. A call to eliminate injustice with others is bound to go a long way in our favour also.
AIMMM has completed five decades of its existence last August. A programme was chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in August, 2014. The delay of one year speaks a lot about lack of hands and flow of funds. Mushawarat had no roof of its own for over 35 years. Alhamdulillah now it has its own office complex. Working with minimum staff is tough but their dedication and alertness of leadership works as huge supplements. Impediments are many. Yet visibility of AIMMM has increased many folds in recent years. The leadership always remains updated and well-informed about national and international developments. It has also deep knowledge of principally correct ‘Muslim conduct’. Accurate, unambiguous and immediate reflections on national and international developments have made the organisation virtually an “opinion maker” in Muslim perspective. This is rare. What it lacks now is full support of the Ummah. We hope that as the AIMMM unfolds its agenda, it will find the Ummah alive to the call of time. Let us come out of woods and start our march ahead, hand in hand with the organisation. To work with AIMMM is tantamount to our tribute to the founders and leaders who kept it alive during the last 51 years.
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