FORGOTTEN FACTS ABOUT MARTYR ASHFAQULLAH KHAN

FORGOTTEN FACTS ABOUT MARTYR ASHFAQULLAH KHAN

It is generally believed that Ashfaqullah Khan who led the revolutionary group (consisting of Chandershekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajender Lahiri, Roshan Singh, Manmathnath Gupt and others) which took possession of the British Government treasury being transported in Kakori Mail, near Kakori on August 9, 1925 was simply a romantic, hot-headed, adventure loving young man who loved guns and fire-arms like his comrades. He and his companions are often referred to as terrorists. It is far from truth. This revolutionary group waylaid the British Government treasury at Kakori and captured the same not for purchasing/manufacturing arms and ammunition but for publishing Socialist literature to be circulated among youth, peasantry and workers so that they are politicized and rise in revolt. It shows this group had passed the stage of terrorism and matured into a revolutionary political group which believed in involving larger masses in the struggle to overthrow British rule.

Ashfaqullah was led by a genuine urge to liberate India from the repressive colonial rule but with mass involvement. Unfortunately, generations after Independence, both rulers and masses are not familiar with his writings and ideological stands thus a truth full evolution of this great revolutionary is yet to be done. A study of his writings which are mainly in Urdu bring out significant aspects of his ideological moorings hitherto unknown to the world. These can be summarized as in the following.

(1)        It is true that Bhagat Singh and Chandershekhar Azad were the two revolutionaries who gave a clear-cut Communist direction to the revolutionary movement by forming ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Army’ in a secret meeting at Ferozshah Kotla on September 8-9, 1928 in which Azad was not present. But it was Ashfaqullah Khan who can truly be regarded as the first Socialist of this group. This is quite visible in his ‘Message to Countrymen’ which he smuggled out of Faizabad Jail few days prior to his martyrdom on December 19, 1927. While addressing to the Communists he wrote:

“I am greatly in agreement with you and want to tell you that my heart always weeps for the poor peasants and helpless workers. While on the run I stayed with them and after seeing their condition I often wept…This is absolutely true that

whatever they grow or produce, they have no share, they always remain sad and in bad shape. I do agree that for all these things our white Masters and their agents are responsible…I have deep regards for you in my heart and while dying, I fully agree with your political aims. I want that kind of freedom for Hindustan where poor should live happily and with ease. I pray to God that after my death, that day should come at the earliest when Abdullah mechanic of loco workshop, Dhaniya cobbler and common peasants are seen sitting on chairs in front of Mr. Khaliq-uz-Zaman, Jagat Narain Mulla and Raja Saheb Mehmoodabad in Lucknow’s Chhaatter Manzil. My comrades, my revolutionary brothers—what I can tell you and what I can write to you, it will be a matter of great pride to you when you will hear that one of your brothers went to the gallows smiling and was happy while dying. I know very well about the spirit which your group has and I was proud of it, and now I am more proud that I am dying as a true revolutionary.”

(2)        Ashfaqullah Khan was conscious of the damage communal polarization was going to cause to the anti-British struggle. It was his firm opinion that communal divide will only help the British rulers. In his ‘Message to Countrymen’ while exposing the game communal forces were playing in league with the British masters, he wrote:

“Oh! How can we appreciate the present day life when our political leadership is going through internal strife? If one is fond of Tableegh [the propagation of Islam] the other believes that dying for Shuddhi only will lead to emancipation. Government secret service agents finance the spread of religious propaganda. Their aim is not to defend religion or help it to flourish but to create obstacles in the path of the moving train [of the freedom struggle].”

While pouring out his heart for his countrymen both Hindus and Muslims he went on to warn them:

“Brothers! Your civil war, your internal bickering will not be useful for any of you. This is impossible that 7 crores Muslims can be converted to Hinduism [through Shuddhi] and likewise it is futile to

believe that 22 crores Hindus can be turned into Muslims. However, [if they continue fighting with each other] it is easy and very easy that all of them together will continue to be in chains.”

It is really sad that neither governments nor civil society organizations have bothered to bring to the notice of the nation such truthful and marvelous heritage of a great martyr. The British Government liquidated him physically, but Independent India too is responsible for killing ideas of Ashfaqullah.

Shamsul Islam. notoinjustice@gmail.com