"Allama Mashriqi, His Family & the Khaksars Paid the Price for Freedom"
On Mashriqi’s 52nd Death Anniversary and the Anniversary of the End of British Rule in the Sub-continent
By Nasim Yousaf
History has shown that freedom comes at a steep cost to those who fight to liberate a nation from oppression. Allama Mashriqi, his family, and the Khaksars paid the price for the freedom of the subcontinent through their tremendous sacrifices for the nation.
In 1930, Allama Mashriqi, a legendary freedom fighter, founded the Khaksar Tehrik to liberate the subcontinent (now comprised of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) from the clutches of foreign rule. The Tehrik was a private army based on the principles of social service, brotherhood, and discipline. The movement’s message of justice, equality and freedom resonated with the masses and it quickly spread across India. By 1940, the Tehrik was the most powerful and disciplined private army in all the region and was comprised of millions of members. Through demonstrations, marches, camps, pamphlets, speeches, Khaksar newspapers (e.g.“Al-Islah”), and other activities, the Khaksars had mobilized the masses for freedom.
Recognizing the Tehrik’s growing power and influence, the British Government desperately tried to crush the movement from the very beginning. In 1932, they barred Mashriqi from entering the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) - the ban continued until 1937. And later, in 1940, when Mashriqi was on the verge of ending British rule, police killed many Khaksars in a brutal assault (on March 19, 1940) and arrested Mashriqi and his elder sons. Authorities also raided Mashriqi’s house and cruelly injured Mashriqi’s son Ehsanullah Khan Aslam. The news of Mashriqi’s arrest and the massacre of the Khaksars spread worldwide and was reported on the radio and in print media (in India, Australia, Germany, UK, USA, and other international outlets).
The massacre of Khaksars on March 19 was a black day and a turning point in the history of India. The horrific actions of the Government created tremendous public outrage and further compelled the masses to drive for freedom; the Khaksars and their followers were now even more determined to attain independence for the nation. Seeing the movement as a grave threat to their rule, the British further intensified their efforts against Mashriqi and the Khaksars. Planning meetings were held by the British Government to try to preserve their rule and the Government launched massive efforts to crush the Khaksar Movement. They banned the Khaksar Tehrik (first in Punjab and later in the entire India) and its “Al-Islah” newspaper. Police raided Khaksar offices across India and seized or impounded Khaksar materials. Many seized Khaksar materials were also sent to the Viceroy of India and other high-level British officials in India and England. Thousands of Khaksars and Mashriqi’s sympathizers were arrested, injured, or killed and several were sentenced to
On Mashriqi’s 52nd Death Anniversary and the Anniversary of the End of British Rule in the Sub-continent
By Nasim Yousaf
History has shown that freedom comes at a steep cost to those who fight to liberate a nation from oppression. Allama Mashriqi, his family, and the Khaksars paid the price for the freedom of the subcontinent through their tremendous sacrifices for the nation.
In 1930, Allama Mashriqi, a legendary freedom fighter, founded the Khaksar Tehrik to liberate the subcontinent (now comprised of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) from the clutches of foreign rule. The Tehrik was a private army based on the principles of social service, brotherhood, and discipline. The movement’s message of justice, equality and freedom resonated with the masses and it quickly spread across India. By 1940, the Tehrik was the most powerful and disciplined private army in all the region and was comprised of millions of members. Through demonstrations, marches, camps, pamphlets, speeches, Khaksar newspapers (e.g.“Al-Islah”), and other activities, the Khaksars had mobilized the masses for freedom.
Recognizing the Tehrik’s growing power and influence, the British Government desperately tried to crush the movement from the very beginning. In 1932, they barred Mashriqi from entering the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) - the ban continued until 1937. And later, in 1940, when Mashriqi was on the verge of ending British rule, police killed many Khaksars in a brutal assault (on March 19, 1940) and arrested Mashriqi and his elder sons. Authorities also raided Mashriqi’s house and cruelly injured Mashriqi’s son Ehsanullah Khan Aslam. The news of Mashriqi’s arrest and the massacre of the Khaksars spread worldwide and was reported on the radio and in print media (in India, Australia, Germany, UK, USA, and other international outlets).
The massacre of Khaksars on March 19 was a black day and a turning point in the history of India. The horrific actions of the Government created tremendous public outrage and further compelled the masses to drive for freedom; the Khaksars and their followers were now even more determined to attain independence for the nation. Seeing the movement as a grave threat to their rule, the British further intensified their efforts against Mashriqi and the Khaksars. Planning meetings were held by the British Government to try to preserve their rule and the Government launched massive efforts to crush the Khaksar Movement. They banned the Khaksar Tehrik (first in Punjab and later in the entire India) and its “Al-Islah” newspaper. Police raided Khaksar offices across India and seized or impounded Khaksar materials. Many seized Khaksar materials were also sent to the Viceroy of India and other high-level British officials in India and England. Thousands of Khaksars and Mashriqi’s sympathizers were arrested, injured, or killed and several were sentenced to
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