My Life’s Journey

The Indian subcontinent was divided in 1947 on the basis of religion, when the British colonialists left. It was assumed by both Hindu and Muslim communalists that religion formed the basis of nationhood, hence Hindu and Muslim were different nations because of their religion, which led to the belief that they cannot live with each other. The partition resulted in large scale communal riots and mass migrations of Muslims from India, and non- Muslims from Pakistan. It is also a sad fact that Pakistan was carved out of those Muslim majority parts, whose masses had never, or scarcely struggled, for the creation of Pakistan. The migrant Muslims who had strived for Pakistan, and in due course incurred heavy losses, had been uprooted from their native places through migration.

The book under review relates the life and struggle of one migrant (muhajir in urdu) for the rights of other migrants (muhajirun). The book is divided into two parts. The first part is based on a lengthy extended interview carried with Altaf Hussain, founder of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) (The National Movement of Mohajirs) with journalist Khalid Athar in 1988. This part documents his student life, early influences and formation of MQM. The second part comprises ‘Notes on Important Issues and the Mohajir Movement’.

In his Foreword, Matthew A Cook states, ‘Particular histories – like that of the mohajirs-seem to indicate that nationalism is a failed project in Pakistan. Since its citizens are not historically cemented into a more singular nation, group distinctions (arising from Partition) continue to define everyday Pakistani lives.’ The book has two introductions written by Robert Nichols and Brigadier (R) Abdul Rahman Siddiqui beside a Preface by Altaf Hussain.

The first part of the book is titled ‘The Struggle and Birth of the MQM’. It describes Altaf Hussain as a nationalist patriot who wanted to serve Pakistan by joining the army in the aftermath of 1965 India-Pakistan war. In Pakistan, before being recruited in the army it is mandatory that one be a conscript in the National Cadet Service. During his training, Altaf was shocked by the treatment of a sergeant who discriminated against him because of his ethnicity.