Azad was far ahead of his times: AG Noorani

Hyderabad: Speaking at a symposium on ‘Understanding Azad in the Present Context’, noted lawyer, historian and writer, AG Noorani said Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was consistent in two things throughout his life. One, he was always an anti-imperialist and two, he was never a hatemonger. For him, to rise up against the British was a religious duty. Azad was a born rebel both intellectually and politically, said Noorani.

The symposium was part of the ongoing Azad Day Celebrations 2015, at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) that started on November 4.

Noorani called Azad “far ahead of his times.” He was more insightful than Jinnah in the sense that all his predictions about Pakistan came true. He had questioned the viability of a nation-state created in the name of religion. He also said Azad had romantic streak to him, and that is why he was sympathetic to the Bengal revolutionaries.

Disapproving of the general Indian tendency of either deifying or glorifying our leaders, Noorani advocated fair and rigorous criticism of political personalities like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah and Azad. Later, interacting with the students of the university Noorani urged them to write as pen is mightier than sword. He asked the students to start writing letters to the editors and bring out campus magazines.

In-charge Vice-Chancellor MANUU Prof KR Iqbal Ahmed, in his address said, “We need Maulanas in all fields. By Maulanas I mean learned and tolerant people.”

He also said people should rise above bigotry and live as children of one God as envisioned by Azad.

Speaking at the second and final session of the symposium, leading social activist and writer Irfan Ali Engineer said understanding and interpreting Azad was more important today than before as the country faces a different kind of political and social situation.

Prof Aisha Farooqui, Head Department of Islamic Studies, Osmania University, said ‘Self-hood’ in Azad was a ‘construct’ and a ‘given.’

Coming from an orthodox background, Azad rebelled against the socio-religious and political system in the country and demanded of Muslims to fight for independence along with Hindus and other communities.

Till his last breath he remained committed to communal harmony and integration of the country. Prof S A Wahab, Prof Amina Kishore and Dr Salma Ashraf also took part in the programme.