The U.P Government granted a total of two and
half lack rupees to widen the roads of the Kanpur and to fulfill other welfare
works. This scheme also included AB road. The widening of this road became a
serious issue. The real problem was that if it were widened straight, there lay
in its way, a Hindu temple just opposite to the Mosque in the Machli Bazar.
When Hindus heard of this scheme, they forced
the Government to halt its progress. Then the only way left to save the temple
was, to turn the road in some other direction, because there was not much space
between the mosque and temple, to widen the road. Hence, there was a threat for
the Muslims that the eastern part of the mosque might have to be demolished which
was used for the purpose of ablution and for baths in order to commence the
road.
So on 1st of April 1912, in the Improvement
Trust Committee session. The Muslims requested that no portion of the mosque
should be included in the road for the sake of its widening but all was in
vain.
On April 1913 Lt. Governor of U.P. Sir James
Meston, received a petition through Shahid Husain, from a group of Muslims of
Kanpur upon “alienation of any part of the mosque.” Eminent Muslim scholars
tried to prove that the targeted portion is the part and parcel of the mosque
from the religious point of view. On 12th of April 1913, a memorial was
presented by barrister Shahid Hussain, which was about protecting the eastern
part of the mosque against the expected demolition. On 6th May 1913, James
Meston sent a letter to the memorialists concluding that “the washing place is
not the part and parcel of the sacred building and must be removed. The
authorities of the mosque will be asked to choose another site on which a
washing place will be built for them by the municipal Board”
Then on 20th July 1913 Sir James Meston
himself visited Kanpur and inspected the mosque. He had shown complete
disregard for the feelings of the Muslims and the Government abolished the
Eastern part of the mosque. There was an outrage among the Muslims of Kanpur
and the Muslim press strongly protested against it. This action taken by the
Government was condemned throughout India. Tylor, who was a Magistrate of
Kanpur was ordered by James Meston “to take effective measures to prevent any
breach of peace in connection with the execution of the orders, if he wants
extra police let him say so.”
The Muslims then gathered at Idgah on 3rd
August. When the meeting was over an angry procession which was carrying black
flags appeared before the mosque and began to place the loose bricks over the
dismantle structure as a symbol of reconstruction. Then to disperse the mob,
the police force opened fire under Tayler’s orders. The firing continued for 15
minutes and almost 600 cartridges were used.
By this regard, Muslim Anjumans from all over
the India strongly protested against this wicked act of firing on the Muslims.
Anjumans that strongly protested were Anjuman-e-Ziaul Islam, Bombay,
Anjuman-e-Islamia, Amritsar, Anjuman-e-Hadayatul Islam, Islamia, Kohat. Press
media also didn’t remain quiescent and Muslim press strongly condemned this
perfidious act of Government. The Zamindar commented “the demolition of a part
of the Kanpur mosque at the point of the bayonet and the characterization of
the Muslim outcry caused thereby – a spectacle so heartrending that has shaken
the faith of Mussalmans in the Government’s principle of non-interference in
religious matters.”
Similarly, All India Muslim League did not
remain quiet on this tragedy. On 31st August and on 19th September, Council of
the AIML had passed two notable resolutions. One, for the appointment of a
committee comprising, both officials and civilians to conduct an impartial
inquiry and the other on the importance of showing gratitude to Sayyid Wazir
Hasan and M. Ali for going to England to present the Muslim case.
Sir James Meston’s attitude filled the hearts
of Muslims with painful feelings, when after this tragedy he distributed the
merit certificates to those who had taken part in the firing. It showed his
hatred for the Muslims.
Lord Hardinge showed blatant anger at this
policy and strategy. Lord Hardinge called this act as a “stupid blunder.” He
said that it was the example of shortsightedness of Taylor and Meston. Lord
Hardinge felt the pain of the Muslims and visited Kanpur along with Sayyid Ali
Imam on 13th to 14th October. He compromised with the Muslims allowing them to
build a new building over the public road. He also visited the mosque and
ordered to release the prisoners and withdrew the cases.
Thus, this tragedy played a significant role
in awakening political consciousness among the Indian Muslims.
No comments:
Post a Comment