BHOPAL, 8 December 2005 — Madhya Pradesh Governor and Chancellor Dr. Balram Jakhar has called upon the youth to bear in mind the sacrifices of Indian revolutionaries Raja Mahendra and Prof. Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali to develop a just society where there is love, peace and tranquility all around as India marches ahead on the road of development.
D. Jakhar was speaking at the inaugural function of a three-day international conference on Raja Mahendra Pratap and Barkatullah Bhopali in freedom struggle and its importance in contemporary society, organized by the Arabic Department of the Barkatullah University, Bhopal here.
The conference was sponsored by Kolkatta-based Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies. A number of international and national level experts read their research papers during the course of the conference.
In an emotional choked voice with tears rolling down his cheeks 81-year-old Dr. Jakhar said here that if present generations were able to breathe in free air, it was because of the sacrifices of these great people. He called upon the youth to realize the dream of the revolutionaries and become forbearers for progress of the country. The august gathering also became sentimental on the occasion while listening his speech and tears welled up in the eyes of many in the audience.
He said Raja Mahendra and Prof. Barkatullah Bhopali created such mass awareness for Independence even while staying away from the country that they went on to lay the foundation for the freedom struggle. He said both these revolutionaries encouraged people to get united and fight for freedom by putting forth sharp opinions and thoughts on the issue.
Thoughts, values and ideals of these two great personalities and their contribution to Indian freedom struggle would always serve as great inspiration to young generation, he further said.
It may be recalled that on Dec. 1, 1915, that is 90 years ago, government of India in-exile was constituted in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, with Raja Mahendra Pratap as life president and Prof. Barkatullah Bhopali as prime minister. Prof. Barkatullah was a great scholar, a fearless journalist, revolutionary personified, a thinker and a multi-linguist philosopher known all over the world.
Dr. Salim-ur- Rehman Khan Nadwi, professor & head of Arabic Department in Chou University, Tokyo in Japan, who is son of the soil, went nostalgic while speaking on the occasion about the two revolutionaries. He said despite stringent measures by the British, the Raja and Prof. Barkatullah Bhopali made independence of India their prime aim in life.
He mentioned that Prof. Barkatullah considered fraternity and education the basic tools for achieving independence.
Director of the Maulana Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkatta, Prof. Mahavir Singh said the contribution of these two luminaries could never be forgotten.
He said research papers read during the seminar would be published by the institute. Barkatullah University Vice-Chancellor Prof. R. S. Sirohi delivered the welcome address.
Prof. Mohammad Hassan Khan, head of Arabic Department in Barkatullah University, while proposing vote of thanks urged the state and federal governments to include the life and works of these two revolutionaries in the syllabus of schools and universities through out India. He also demanded of establishing a chair in the name of Prof. Barkatullah Bhopali so that further research work could be conducted about him. The program was conducted by Dr. Ayesha Kamal.
It may be pointed out here that Arjun Singh, the Federal HRD minister who was Madhya Pradesh chief minister then, was instrumental in naming the Bhopal varsity as Barkatullah University, in the face of stiff opposition, to honor the great revolutionary in the early eighties.
