Page 22 - Pakistan Link - December 31, 2021

P22 – PAKISTAN LINK – DECEMBER 31, 2021 COMMENTARY
Book & Author

Professor Dr Riaz Ahmad: Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah as Magistrate

n By Dr Ahmed S. Khan document, but the book did not
Chicago, IL explore the reasons Mr Jinnah em-
ployed for reaching his decisions.
uaid-i-Azam Muham- The book contains a foreword writ-

mad Ali Jinnah (Decem- ten by Justice Dr Nasim Hasan Shah
Qber 25, 1876 - September of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
11, 1948) was not only a dynam- The book also contains three appen-

ic leader, but also a world-class dices: the first contains Mr Jinnah’s

statesman, a witty politician, a private confidential letter dated 5
compassionate humanitarian, a June 1900 addressed to Mr Justice
man of character and integrity, Badruddin Tyabee, Bombay High

and a very astute lawyer. Many Court. The second appendix exhib-
attributes of his leadership have its a news item from the Bombay
been acknowledged in books and Gazette (16 July 1900) regarding a
films during the past seven de- reception given in honor of Mr Jin-

cades. But the one attribute that nah on his appointment as Presi-
did not get much coverage is his dency Magistrate. And the third ap-
role as a judge. pendix presents Mr Jinnah’s written
In May 1900, Mr Jinnah at age answers before the Royal Commis-
24 was appointed as a Presidency sion on the Public Services in India.
Magistrate in Bombay. Professor After he left the Magistracy, Mr

Riaz Ahmed, through his research Jinnah went back to his law practice
at Quaid-i-Azam University, has and became one of the most promi-
put together a book titled Quaid-i- nent lawyers of British India, and as
Azam Jinnah as Magistrate that pro- without permit, impersonation, dis- the time when Bombay was passing by considering the boy’s wishes as to they say, the rest is history. Mr Jin-
vides insights into Mr Jinnah’s acu- obedience, brokerage enticement through the plague epidemic that which company he wanted to join. nah emerged as a dynamic leader
men as a judge. of a married woman, intimidation, claimed numerous lives. Mr Jinnah also believed in the who transformed the aspirations of
Dr Riaz Ahmad has served as accidental negligence, charges of a In some cases, Mr Jinnah’s social reform of criminals, espe- Muslims into concrete designs for

a professor in the departments of false nature, service matters, illegal judgment reflected his concern for cially if the offenders were women. the creation of Pakistan. Explain-

history, and Asian Civilization. He possession of pearls, appointment the dignity of individuals. Two men An eight-year girl, Dwarkabai, was ing the true genesis of Pakistan, Mr

has more than thirty-five years of of “approvers”, suicide, complaint and women accused of disorderly charged for stealing a sari valued at Jinnah had said, “Pakistan is not the
teaching and research experience in against hairdresser, kidnapping, conduct were locked up by police Rs 1-4-0 (one rupee and four an- product of the conduct and miscon-
the domains of history and Pakistan broaching cargo, lost property, etc. and denied bail. The next day when nas). The police told Mr Jinnah that duct of Hindus. It had always been

Studies. Dr Ahmad has also served The author has used the Bom- they were presented before Mr Jin- the girl was a habitual offender. Mr there, only they were not conscious
as the director of National Institute bay Gazette as the primary source nah, they were fined Rs 5 each. Jinnah was convinced of the truth of it. Hindus and Muslims, though

of Historical and Cultural Research, for details of all cases and has kept However, Mr Jinnah observed with of the charge, but he disagreed with living in the same towns and villag-
Center of Excellence, Quaid-i-Azam the same titles used by the newspa- regret that police should have bailed the view of sending her to jail where es, had never blended into one na-

University, Islamabad. pers. The author points out that in them out as the offense involved was she would live in the company of tion, they were always two separate

Dr Ahmad is a prolific writer; the early 1900s newspapers used bailable. hardened criminals, and where she entities…Pakistan not only means

he has written extensively on the the spelling “Mohamed Ali Jinnah’ The author mentions another would not get an opportunity to freedom and independence but the
history and constitutional develop- or “M.A. Jinnah,” but towards the case in which a sailor assaulted a improve her moral character. Mr Muslim ideology which has to be
ment of Pakistan. He has authored a later part of his career his name was policeman when the latter refused Jinnah considered it necessary that preserved, which has come to us as a
plethora of books on various facets spelled as “Mohammed Ali Jinnah.” to salute him. When the accused there should be some institution precious gift and treasure and which

of Quaid-i-Azam’s life and times, The details of 73 cases pro- appeared in court and expressed for reforming the young offenders. we hope, others will share with us.”

services of Mohtarma Fatima Jin- vide an opportunity for readers his profound regrets for his offense Since no such institution existed, Quaid-i-Azam as Magistrate is
nah, and history of All India Muslim to observe the legal acumen, high and promised not to do it again, Mr Jinnah ordered her detention for a fascinating read. It provides in-
League. In his book All India Muslim sense of integrity, responsibility and Mr Jinnah remarked, “Everyone one day which had already passed sights into young Jinnah’s potential
League and the Creation of Pakistan, sound character displayed by young will say that he is sorry after he had and so the girl was released. as a great leader. It is a must read for

Professor Ahmad chronicles the his- Jinnah, and also to travel back in done a wrong thing.” In passing the Mr Jinnah showed extreme all who believe in the supremacy of
tory of All-India Muslim League time to explore various aspects of judgment on the case Mr Jinnah concern about public health and the rule of law. [Dr Ahmed S. Khan

and shows how under the dynamic Bombay society. The author men- observed that the practice of order- hygiene. In a case that dealt with (dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org) is a Fulbright
leadership of Quaid-i-Azam, the tions that in Bombay criminal cases ing police sephoys to salaam (sa- storing and pressing raw hides by Specialist Scholar (2017-2022). Pro-

party brought Muslims on a single increased from 13,880 in 1899 to lute) members of the armed forces, Ismail Hajji Essac, which affected fessor Khan has over forty years of
platform, and achieved its goal of 23,948 in 1900 in the whole of Bom- and failing which to assault them, public health, Mr Jinnah person- experience in Higher Education as
creating Pakistan in a short span of bay Presidency. should be stopped. Considering the ally inspected the premises located professor of Electrical Engineering.

time. Dr Ahmad has presented pa- The first case Mr Jinnah heard statement of the accused, Mr Jinnah in the thickly populated areas of the He is author of many books includ-

pers at national and international and decided on May 2, 1900, was fined him Rs 15. city and considered the storing and ing a series on Science, Technology &
conferences and served as a visiting of a thief who stole a purse belong- In a case of kidnapping there pressing of raw hides in the local- Society (STS); his most recent book
professor at Mohammad V Univer- ing to a European lady. The thief was disagreement between the Vic- ity a risk to public health. The court is Nanotechnology: Ethical and So-

sity, Rabat, Morocco (1992-1993). was awarded a punishment of six toria Company and the Parsee The- ordered the trade most injurious to cial Implications)]

In recognition of his scholarly work, months’ rigorous punishment. The ater company, each party claiming a public health: the accused was fined

he was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by author points out an interesting fact boy as theirs. This case received a lot Rs 100 and ordered to discontinue BOLAND FROM P6

the Government of Pakistan. that when Mr Jinnah left the ser- of publicity in the press as the evi- his business within twenty-four to England. His brother Nick was

Mr Jinnah served for only six vice in November his own overcoat dence involved was of a complicated hours. also in the squad of 13. The 1868

months in this capacity, but his in- worth Rs.90 was stolen by a thief nature. Disregarding the unreliable Professor Riaz Ahmed has tour was the first time an Australian
sight into justice for ordinary people from his house at Eldon Road. It was evidence Mr Jinnah decided the case compiled this important historic sports team represented the country
has been preserved in 73 cases he overseas. He was a standout on tour,
presided over as presiding Magis- with some commentators noting he
trate over Esplanade Police Court was unplayable at times.
between May and November 1900. In 2017, Boland’s family dis-
The details of these cases were pub- covered that his grandfather, John

lished in the Bombay Gazette. Profes- Edward, was Aboriginal, from the
sor Riaz Ahmed had collected all the Gulidjan tribe in the Colac area of

information for 73 cases as a part of Victoria. After discovering this,
his PhD thesis titled “Quaid-i-Azam Boland embraced his indigenous
Mohammed Ali Jinnah: the Forma- heritage, playing in indigenous rep-
tive Years 1892-1920” at Quaid-i- resentative teams and further edu-
Azam University, Islamabad. These cating himself on indigenous tradi-

73 cases covered a wide array of of- tions.
fenses: theft, robbery, traveling with- (Dr Aslam Abdullah is a resi-

out tickets, absence without leave, dent scholar at Islamicity.org and
army desertion, claims of convey- editor-in-chief of the Muslim Ob-
ance, gambling, cheating, disorderly server newspaper. He is also the
drinking, breach of trust, cheating Indian Islamic Heritage Project di-
and misrepresentation, assault, stab- rector of the American Federation
bing, creating a nuisance, resisting of Muslims of Indian origin and
policemen on duty, importing for- the interim President of the World
bidden alcohol, endangering public Council of Muslims for Interfaith
health, extortion, importing Ganja Relations, WCMIR.)
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