Mohammad Ali Jinnah: His Vision and Legacy

Eighty years ago, when Mohammad Ali Jinnah started his address to the 1938 Session of the All-India Muslim League, he spoke in Urdu: Jab hum Patna ka tariki shahr mein aya. Immediately the public started shouting: “English! English!” and the Quaid-i-Azam resumed his address: “When I came to this historic city of Patna…”. What was the reason behind the public’s odd demand? At that time it was clearly understood that Independence had to be taken from the British. The Muslims knew that they needed a leader who could speak to the colonial masters in their own language. That is why, though only a fraction of the gathering could speak or understand the language, they wished their leader to speak in English

اردو افسانہ اور آزادی اظہار کے مسائل

Urdu Short Stories and Freedom of Expression Freedom of expression is the main theme of this thesis which has been tried to be explored in its various forms in Urdu short stories. First chapter discusses definitions, ancient, modern and Islamic concepts of freedom of expression and limitations. A historical overview of freedom of expression along with restrictions imposed in various ages has been taken into account. People who lost their lives in their struggle for freedom of expression have also been discussed in this chapter. This chapter also includes discussion on Russian literature and banned works. Third chapter encompasses freedom of expression, restriction imposed by the state and Urdu short stories starting from Prem Chand and 'Angary' and continues with a discussion on works by progressive movement. During the army rules short story writers, playwrights, poets and authors were detained and exiled. Their jobs were terminated and they were imprisoned on different charges. Religious, gender, psychological and sexual issues and autonomy of opinion is the theme of fourth chapter. Though religion is the ultimate reality but the followers of religion create hindrances in the way of expressing feelings by imposing self-created restrictions. This issue has been discussed along with Pakistani society which is a male dominated society where emergence of such issues is an ancient concept. It was a matter of great concern for researcher to include a discussion on sexual and psychological issue to understand them and discuss ways and means of expressing such feelings in short stories. Fifth chapter discusses differences emerged from class-based society of sub-continent, feudalism, capitalism which resulted in confrontation between landowner and tenants, industrialists and workers. Restrictions surfaced from such issues were highlighted in short stories which make a part of discussion in this thesis. Last chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of freedom of expression in Urdu short stories.