By Pervez Bari,
Bhopal, 03 Oct. 2014: Freedom fighter Maulana Abdul Hafiz Mohamed Barkatullah was a true champion of Hindu-Muslim unity, Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav has said here as he exhorted the masses to follow on the footsteps of the revolutionary leader.
“The young generation should assimilate the character of national leaders and follow their ideals,” Yadav said addressing a public function here attended by slew of eminent persons on the occasion of death anniversary of the great leader also known as Barkatullah Bhopali. “He participated in the freedom struggle wholeheartedly and motivated people of all sections of society to take part in it,” Yadav said on Thursday.
The function was organised by Barkatullah Education & Social Service Society, Bhopal. Lok Sabha member from Bhopal Alok Sanjar, veteran journalist Lajja Shankar Hardenia, former Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy Prof. Afaq Ahmad and Shabbir Baig were present as guests of honour on the occasion.
Yadav said that during the British Rule, Maulana Barkatullah was named the first Prime Minister of Indian Government-in-exile formed in Afghanistan on December 1, 1915 while Raja Mahendra Pratap was the first President in that government and Ubaidullah Sindhi as Home Minister.
“If the present generation was able to breathe in free air, it was because of the sacrifices of these great people,” Yadav said as he called upon the youth to realize the dream of the revolutionaries and become forbearers for progress of the country.
They should bear in mind the sacrifices of the revolutionaries to develop a just society where there is love, peace and tranquillity all around as India marches ahead on the road of development, the governor said.
Speaking on the occasion Member of Parliament Alok Sanjar said that it is a matter of pride that Bhopal produced several great persons like Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali who brought glory to the country and Bhopal. Barkatullah was born on July 7th, 1854 at Itwara mohalla here.
He recalled that when Bhopal University was being renamed as Barkatullah University a controversy erupted over renaming. Then the present Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was his senior in local Hamidia College where both studied, had suggested him to read about Maulana (Prof.) Barkatullah to learn about his sacrifices which would enthuse him to serve the country and society without any rancour. When he read about him then he came to know about the greatness of the erudite Maulana and his innumerable contributions to the freedom struggle.([email protected])
