Syed Ali Imam and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

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Syed Ali Imam and Mahatma Gandhi

 

Syed Ali Imam was an associate of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. He participated in South Africa movements. He was from Bihar. He was the president of All India Muslim League. Mahatma Gandhi liked him very much. So he gave a dinner in his honour.

A dinner was given on October 1 in honour of Mr. Syed Ali Imam, president of the Bihar branch of the All-India Muslim League. It must have been attended by about a hundred men. Dr. Abdool Majid was in the chair. The Reception Committee comprised both Hindus and Muslims. Mr. Verma and Mr. Jaffer were the secretaries. Among the gentlemen present were Sir Henry Cotton, Dr. Rutherford, Mr. Upton, Sir Muncherji Bhownaggree, Mr. Nawab Saheb Syed Hussain Bilgrami, Major Syed Hussain, Mr. Ritch, Mr. J. H. Polak, Mr. Bipin Chandra Pal, Mr. Khaparde, Mr. Parikh, Mr. Chhotalal Parekh and others. Mr. Ali Imam said in his speech that India could remain with England, not under it. Indians must have the same rights as the British. They must make a success of what Lord Morley had granted and then demand more. Hindus, Muslims and Parsis must learn to live as one nation. In Turkey, Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in amity, and that was why they commanded respect. In every part of India where Hindus were in a majority and the Muslims in a minority, the former should help the latter to gain special rights, and vice versa. If this were done, there would be no Hindu-Muslim problem. There were many reforms to be carried out in India. We must ensure the spread of education and respect for women’s rights. We must not be backward where we have to act on our own. His prayer for good health was received by the gathering with applause. He was followed by Sir Henry Cotton who said in a short speech that it was for the Indians to win their own rights. Then Sir Muncherji Bhownaggree spoke. He appealed for good wishes for [the success of the Transvaal and Natal deputations. Sir Muncherji pointed out in his speech that the problem in South Africa was a very serious one. It had brought two deputations which they ought to help. Our fellow-countrymen were passing through hard times in South Africa. This appeal was also received with great enthusiasm. Mr. Gandhi then replied. He said that it was in South Africa that the Indian nation was being formed. A nation, he said, could come into being only when people made sacrifices for the sake of freedom. Moreover, the Hindu-Muslim problem just did not arise in South Africa. There it was almost as good as solved. Mr. Imam was quite right when he said that the minorities should have special rights. That was the only way to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity. The Transvaal Indians, [he said], were fighting not for self interest but for India’s honour. It was for that that Parsee Rustomjee was undergoing imprisonment. Some Sikhs had also gone to jail. People would thus continue to go to jail so long as men like Mr. Ali Imam were not free to enter to Transvaal as of right, and they would win that right. In Natal they want to ruin the traders, exact an annual tax of £3 from poor Indians and prevent the boys from being educated. It was the duty of every Indian to fight such tyranny. The Nawab Saheb was a member of the India Council. It was his duty to press for justice and, if he failed, to resign [his membership]. Indians of the younger generation should examine the meaning of this problem. If they did, there would be a solution in no time. Speaking next, Major Syed Hussain said that Hindus and Muslims should sit for dinner at the same table in India, just as they did in an English hotel. Mr. Bipin Chandra Pal said in his speech that Hindus and Muslims could be and must be united. It was an excellent thing, [he said,] that Mr. Ali Imam was honoured by both Hindus and Muslims. Hindus would, of course, remain Hindus and Muslims Muslims, but they should be more proud of being Indians. Speaking again, Mr. Ali Imam said that it was exactly because the South African problem was a very serious one that he had not referred to it in his speech. It was very much present in his mind and he would not forget it. He would, of course, do everything he could for the removal of Indians’ disabilities. Dr. Rutherford said that Mr. Gandhi’s speech had inspired him with a new spirit. Indians were putting up a good fight in the Transvaal. Their example should be followed by everyone. He would, on his part, render every possible assistance. Mr. Upton, a Member of Parliament, also spoke in a similar strain. He was followed by Mr. Parikh, and the gathering then dispersed. I need not say that the dinner was attended by members of both the deputations. Another function in honour of Mr. Ali Imam is to be held at 4 [p.m.] on Tuesday. It will be on behalf of the All-India Muslim League. The gentleman is proceeding to Istanbul, and will return thence to India.

 

Reference:

Indian Opinion, 30-10-1909