गुडमुड़िया बनी पत्थर सी जमी
मूरत थी या बूढ़ा था
खुली सड़क के सँकरे से फुटपाथ पर
हाथ मल - मल के गर्मी निकलता
बीड़ी थी या मुँहसे उबलता कोहरे का धुआँ
सिमटता सिकुड़ता
दोनों हाथों से समेटे
छत्तीस छेदों वाला कंबल
छत्तीस छेदों वाले कंबल से छनती हवा
तेज़ नुकीली कील सी बदन में चुभती
सिहरन ठिठुरन बदन में बिजली सी कौंदती
साएं सी सर सर करतीं गाड़ियाँ
हवा चीरती
शोर करती
हवा फुटपाथ पर धकेलती
फैलती हवा में खुद को समेटता
दोनों हाथों से थाम के लपेटता
बूढ़ा
और
छत्तीस छेदों वाला कंबल
मूरत थी या बूढ़ा था
खुली सड़क के सँकरे से फुटपाथ पर
हाथ मल - मल के गर्मी निकलता
बीड़ी थी या मुँहसे उबलता कोहरे का धुआँ
सिमटता सिकुड़ता
दोनों हाथों से समेटे
छत्तीस छेदों वाला कंबल
छत्तीस छेदों वाले कंबल से छनती हवा
तेज़ नुकीली कील सी बदन में चुभती
सिहरन ठिठुरन बदन में बिजली सी कौंदती
साएं सी सर सर करतीं गाड़ियाँ
हवा चीरती
शोर करती
हवा फुटपाथ पर धकेलती
फैलती हवा में खुद को समेटता
दोनों हाथों से थाम के लपेटता
बूढ़ा
और
छत्तीस छेदों वाला कंबल
हर बात में टांग अड़ाते हो
तुम खुद को ज्यादा बनते हो
ये ज्ञान व्यान तुम तो छोड़ो
तुम तो उल्लू के चरखे हो
तुम खुद को ज्यादा बनते हो
ये ज्ञान व्यान तुम तो छोड़ो
तुम तो उल्लू के चरखे हो
ये धर्म वर्म पे तंज़ वंज़
क्यूँ इतना काबिल बनते हो?
ये बातें वातें बड़ों की हैं
और तुम बुद्धि से बच्चे हो
भगवान खुदा को मानो तो?
विज्ञान की बातें जानो तो?
क्या खुद से भी कुछ सोचा है ?
जो पढ़ते हो बक देते हो
क्या बुद्धिजीवी कहलाना है?
पत्थर पे कलम चलाना है ?
क्या सब कुछ दिल से कहते हो ?
या यूंही सच्चे बनते हो ?
तुम बनने आए कवि बड़े
अब तक हो एक ही जगह खड़े
जो नहीं हो वैसा बनना क्या
तुम जैसे भी हो अच्छे हो !
क्यूँ इतना काबिल बनते हो?
ये बातें वातें बड़ों की हैं
और तुम बुद्धि से बच्चे हो
भगवान खुदा को मानो तो?
विज्ञान की बातें जानो तो?
क्या खुद से भी कुछ सोचा है ?
जो पढ़ते हो बक देते हो
क्या बुद्धिजीवी कहलाना है?
पत्थर पे कलम चलाना है ?
क्या सब कुछ दिल से कहते हो ?
या यूंही सच्चे बनते हो ?
तुम बनने आए कवि बड़े
अब तक हो एक ही जगह खड़े
जो नहीं हो वैसा बनना क्या
तुम जैसे भी हो अच्छे हो !
उमंगे फीकी फीकी सी
ग़ज़ल भी सीधी सादी सी
हसी होंटों प रूखी सी
नमी आँखों में हल्की सी
शफ़क़ का रंग हल्का सा
मगर है शाम काली सी
मेरा एहसास बोझिल है
हवा में भी है ख़ुनकी सी
मेरी आँखों में ग़ुस्सा है
तेरी सूरत है भोली सी
बचा लीजे ज़रा नज़रें
मेरी नीयत है बहकी सी
तेरा चेहरा मेरी आँखें
अदा दिलकश सी प्यारी सी
वो चेहरा भी तो साकित है
नज़र भी ठहरी ठहरी सी
करोगे सीमबर कबतक
ये बातें बहकी बहकी सी
ग़ज़ल भी सीधी सादी सी
हसी होंटों प रूखी सी
नमी आँखों में हल्की सी
शफ़क़ का रंग हल्का सा
मगर है शाम काली सी
मेरा एहसास बोझिल है
हवा में भी है ख़ुनकी सी
मेरी आँखों में ग़ुस्सा है
तेरी सूरत है भोली सी
बचा लीजे ज़रा नज़रें
मेरी नीयत है बहकी सी
तेरा चेहरा मेरी आँखें
अदा दिलकश सी प्यारी सी
वो चेहरा भी तो साकित है
नज़र भी ठहरी ठहरी सी
करोगे सीमबर कबतक
ये बातें बहकी बहकी सी
अब बोहोत हुई ये बेकारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
तुम देख चुके दुनिया सारी अब
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
तुम देख चुके दुनिया सारी अब
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
तुम नाम ओ निशान बना भी चुके
शोहरत के मकान बना भी चुके
तुम्हें जान चुकी दुनिया सारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
बस इल्म ओ अदब का ढोंग हुआ
जीना भी ग़ज़ब का ढोंग हुआ
अब खेल नया और नई पारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
सब बातें वातें हो भी चुकीं
बेखाबी की रातें हो भी चुकीं
अब छोड़ दो दिल की मक्कारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
ये अमन ओ अमान के ख़ाब भले
ये राहत ए जान के ख़ाब भले
पर सच तो है दिल की बेज़ारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
सब अबू तुराब को जान गए
सब उसके हुनर को मान गए
वो हो भी चुका अब बाज़ारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
शोहरत के मकान बना भी चुके
तुम्हें जान चुकी दुनिया सारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
बस इल्म ओ अदब का ढोंग हुआ
जीना भी ग़ज़ब का ढोंग हुआ
अब खेल नया और नई पारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
सब बातें वातें हो भी चुकीं
बेखाबी की रातें हो भी चुकीं
अब छोड़ दो दिल की मक्कारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
ये अमन ओ अमान के ख़ाब भले
ये राहत ए जान के ख़ाब भले
पर सच तो है दिल की बेज़ारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
सब अबू तुराब को जान गए
सब उसके हुनर को मान गए
वो हो भी चुका अब बाज़ारी
अब कूच करो मंज़िल की तरफ़
( میں نے کیا دل میں حسرتیں رکھیں ) मैं ने क्या दिल में हसरतें रक्खीं
- December 09, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 0 Comments
میں نے کیا دل میں حسرتیں رکھیں
اسنے مجھسے عداوتیں رکھی
मैं ने क्या दिल में हसरतें रक्खीं
उसने मुझसे अदावतें रक्खीं
اسنے اک لمحہ وصال کی شرط
چند خاموش ساعتیں رکھیں
उसने इक लम्हा ए विसाल की शर्त
चंद ख़ामोश साअतें रक्खीं
اسنے خود کو سمیٹ کر رکھا
میرے حصہ میں وسعتیں رکھیں
उसने ख़ुद को समेट कर रक्खा
मेरे हिस्से में वुसअतें रक्खीं
بات کی لمحہ ہمیشہ کی
اور پھر اسکی بھی حدیں رکھیں
बात की लम्हा ए हमेशा की
और फिर उसकी भी हदें रक्खीं
اسنے کل رات میرے پہلو میں
اپنی معصوم کروٹیں رکھیں
उसने कल रात मेरे पहलू में
अपनी मासूम करवटें रक्खीं
کیا خدا رشتہ دار تھا میرا
جب بھی رکھیں شکایتیں رکھیں
क्या ख़ुदा रिश्तादार था मेरा
जब भी रक्खीं शिकायतें रक्खीं
اسکو جانا متاع لا حاصل
ہم نے دل میں نہ خواہشیں رکھیں
उसको जाना मता ए लाहासिल
हम ने दिल में न खाहिशें रक्खीं
ہم نے ہر لمحہ اپنے پیروں میں
بے ارادہ مسافتیں رکھیں
हम ने हर लम्हा अपने पैरों में
बे इरादा मसफ़तें रक्खीं
اسنے مجھسے عداوتیں رکھی
मैं ने क्या दिल में हसरतें रक्खीं
उसने मुझसे अदावतें रक्खीं
اسنے اک لمحہ وصال کی شرط
چند خاموش ساعتیں رکھیں
उसने इक लम्हा ए विसाल की शर्त
चंद ख़ामोश साअतें रक्खीं
اسنے خود کو سمیٹ کر رکھا
میرے حصہ میں وسعتیں رکھیں
उसने ख़ुद को समेट कर रक्खा
मेरे हिस्से में वुसअतें रक्खीं
بات کی لمحہ ہمیشہ کی
اور پھر اسکی بھی حدیں رکھیں
बात की लम्हा ए हमेशा की
और फिर उसकी भी हदें रक्खीं
اسنے کل رات میرے پہلو میں
اپنی معصوم کروٹیں رکھیں
उसने कल रात मेरे पहलू में
अपनी मासूम करवटें रक्खीं
کیا خدا رشتہ دار تھا میرا
جب بھی رکھیں شکایتیں رکھیں
क्या ख़ुदा रिश्तादार था मेरा
जब भी रक्खीं शिकायतें रक्खीं
اسکو جانا متاع لا حاصل
ہم نے دل میں نہ خواہشیں رکھیں
उसको जाना मता ए लाहासिल
हम ने दिल में न खाहिशें रक्खीं
ہم نے ہر لمحہ اپنے پیروں میں
بے ارادہ مسافتیں رکھیں
हम ने हर लम्हा अपने पैरों में
बे इरादा मसफ़तें रक्खीं
تم نے سنا ہے بیوقوفی کی کچھ حدیں بھی رکھی گئ ہیں۔ کیا؟ بیوقوفی کی حدیں؟ مگر کیوں؟ کسنے مقرر کییں؟ تم سے قبل کے بیوقوفوں نے ہی کی ہونگی۔ کی ہونگی سے کیا مراد ہے؟ کیا تمہیں صحیح نہیں پتا؟ پتا تو ہے مگر یہ یقین نہیں کی جو کچھ مجھے پتا ہے وہ درست بھی ہے یا نہیں۔خیر مدعا تو یہ ہے کہ بیوقوفی کی حدیں ہوتی ہیں اور ان حدوں کے پار کرنے والے کو پاگل کہتے ہیں۔ کیا مطلب تم مجھے پاگل کہہ رہے ہو؟ نہیں تو میں نے تو یونہی بتایا۔ اب تم خود ہی بات کو اپنے اوپر لے جا رہے ہو تو اس میں میرا کیا قصور۔ میں تو صرف عمومی راے بتا رہا تھا۔ مگر یہ عمومی راے کیسے ہوئ؟ کیا سارے عوام بھی بیوقوف ہیں جو انہوں نے یہ راے قائم کر دی ہے؟ ھممم! بات تو قابل غور ہے۔ مگر پھر بھی مدعا تو یہ ہے کی بیوقوفی کی کچھ حدیں ہوتی ہیں اور ان حدوں کو پار کرنا پاگلپن ہی ہوتا ہے۔ بڑے فلسفی اور مفکر بھی اس بات کو بڑے وثوق سے کہتے اورلکھتے ہیں۔ کیا مطلب؟ فلسفی اور مفکر اس بات کے داعی کیسے ہو گئے کہ بیوقوفی کی کچھ حدیں ہوتی ہیں ۔ کیا انہوں نے کبھی ان حدوں کا پار کیا ہے جس سے وہ ان حدوں کا تعین کر سکیں؟ اماں ہاں! بات تو یہ بھی ٹھیک ہے۔ مگر یار تم بار بار بات کو مدعا سے منحرف کر رہے ہو۔ تمہیں قبول کرنا ہوگا کی بیوقوفی کی حدیں ہوتی ہیں۔ اسیا میرا بھی یقین ہے۔
"मैं तुम्हें नानी के घर पे छोड़ दूंगा । वहाँ अच्छे से रहना । ठीक है ? ", बाप बच्चे को समझा रहा था । "मगर मुझे तो आपके साथ रहना है । मुझे नहीं रहना वहाँ ।" बच्चा शिकायत भरे लहजे में कह रहा था । "बेटा वहाँ नानी तुम्हें नहला दिया करेंगी ,कपड़े बदला देंगी । और वहाँ तुम्हारी मौसी भी तो हैं । तुम अच्छे से रहोगे वहाँ । मैं कैसे तुम्हें देख पाऊँगा यहाँ । और फिर मैं आया करूंगा न मिलने हफ़्ता दस दिन में । तुम बिलकुल परेशान मत होना । मुझे याद करके रोना मत । नहीं तो नानी भी परेशान हो जाएंगी । " ये समझाते हुये बाप की आँखों में करुणा और प्रेम के मिले जुले भाव थे । वो कभी अपने बच्चे के सर पर हाथ फेरता, कभी उसके माथे को चूमता । बस जाम की वजह से धीरे धीरे बढ़ रही थी । गाड़ियों के शोर में बच्चे की सुगबुगाहट खो गयी थी ।
क्या कारण हो सकता है इस सब का ? कहीं बच्चे की माँ को तो कुछ नहीं हो गया ? नहीं नहीं भगवान न करे ऐसा हो । मैं विचारों की ऊहा पोह में उलझा उन दोनों की ओर देखे जा रहा था । बस कभी रुक जाती थी कभी तेज़ चलने लगती थी । विचार कठोर होते जा रहा था । मन रूआँसा सा हो गया था । कुछ पुरानी बातें दिमाग़ में घूमे जा रही थीं । "नारियल गिरि ले लो !!"नारीयल की गिरि बेचने वाला बस में चढ़ता है । बच्चा और बाप दोनों उसकी ओर देखते हैं और फिर दोनों एक दूसरे की ओर देखते हैं । बच्चा आँखों में ही अपनी इच्छा बताता है । बाप नारियल वाले की ओर देखता है और फिर अपनी जेब में हाथ डालता है । किन्तु तुरंत ही हाथ निकाल लेता है । असमर्थता के भाव उसके चेहरे पर उभर आते हैं । आँखों में मजबूरी भर आती है । इतने में बस चल पड़ती है । बाहर गुब्बारे वाला बच्चे का ध्यान बटाता है । बाप की आँखों में थोड़ी सी राहत दिखाई देती है । किन्तु मेरा मन तो बोझिल होता जा रहा था । आखिरकार हुआ क्या है इसके साथ । पूछने की हिम्मत नहीं थी । बस अनुमान ही लगाए जा रहा था। और उधर बाप बच्चे को घड़ी घड़ी समझा रहा था । दिलासा दे रहा था । मेरा स्टॉप निकट आ रहा था । मन की स्थिति वही थी। असमंजस ही असमंजस । बस रुकती है और मैं अपने स्टाप पर उतार जाता हूँ । किन्तु मन तो वहीं रह गया था । मेरे प्रश्नों का उत्तर नहीं मिला था । आखिर क्या हुआ होगा उसके साथ ?
क्या कारण हो सकता है इस सब का ? कहीं बच्चे की माँ को तो कुछ नहीं हो गया ? नहीं नहीं भगवान न करे ऐसा हो । मैं विचारों की ऊहा पोह में उलझा उन दोनों की ओर देखे जा रहा था । बस कभी रुक जाती थी कभी तेज़ चलने लगती थी । विचार कठोर होते जा रहा था । मन रूआँसा सा हो गया था । कुछ पुरानी बातें दिमाग़ में घूमे जा रही थीं । "नारियल गिरि ले लो !!"नारीयल की गिरि बेचने वाला बस में चढ़ता है । बच्चा और बाप दोनों उसकी ओर देखते हैं और फिर दोनों एक दूसरे की ओर देखते हैं । बच्चा आँखों में ही अपनी इच्छा बताता है । बाप नारियल वाले की ओर देखता है और फिर अपनी जेब में हाथ डालता है । किन्तु तुरंत ही हाथ निकाल लेता है । असमर्थता के भाव उसके चेहरे पर उभर आते हैं । आँखों में मजबूरी भर आती है । इतने में बस चल पड़ती है । बाहर गुब्बारे वाला बच्चे का ध्यान बटाता है । बाप की आँखों में थोड़ी सी राहत दिखाई देती है । किन्तु मेरा मन तो बोझिल होता जा रहा था । आखिरकार हुआ क्या है इसके साथ । पूछने की हिम्मत नहीं थी । बस अनुमान ही लगाए जा रहा था। और उधर बाप बच्चे को घड़ी घड़ी समझा रहा था । दिलासा दे रहा था । मेरा स्टॉप निकट आ रहा था । मन की स्थिति वही थी। असमंजस ही असमंजस । बस रुकती है और मैं अपने स्टाप पर उतार जाता हूँ । किन्तु मन तो वहीं रह गया था । मेरे प्रश्नों का उत्तर नहीं मिला था । आखिर क्या हुआ होगा उसके साथ ?
I may look dull
I may look dumb
I may appear stupid
When I talk
When I come out with my ideas
I may sound profane
Cursed, antisocial
uncultured or whatever
But, In my mind,
there is something
something that is devastating
the whirlpool of uncontrolled thoughts
shattering the tiny boat of my conscience
I may look dumb
I may appear stupid
When I talk
When I come out with my ideas
I may sound profane
Cursed, antisocial
uncultured or whatever
But, In my mind,
there is something
something that is devastating
the whirlpool of uncontrolled thoughts
shattering the tiny boat of my conscience
I may appear dull
outside, but inside
In my mind
I am hyper active
Possessing profound thoughts
Abstract philosophies
Subtle ideas about life,
about everything that exists
or doesn't exist
I may appear thoughtless
Always talking like a parrot
repeating words that have meanings
or have no meanings at all
But, inside in my mind,
I am beleaguered
by the thoughts
wanted, unwanted
shallow, deep
noble or evil thoughts
I may appear
anything
You reflect
outside, but inside
In my mind
I am hyper active
Possessing profound thoughts
Abstract philosophies
Subtle ideas about life,
about everything that exists
or doesn't exist
I may appear thoughtless
Always talking like a parrot
repeating words that have meanings
or have no meanings at all
But, inside in my mind,
I am beleaguered
by the thoughts
wanted, unwanted
shallow, deep
noble or evil thoughts
I may appear
anything
You reflect
1931- 2002 |
مجھے اچھی طرح یاد ہے کی بچپن میں میرے گھر میں ایک قطعہ اور دو لوگوں کا ذکر وقتًا فوقتًا ہوتا تھا۔ قطعہ تھا جون ایلیا کی مشہور نظم رمز کا۔ اور وہ دو لوگ تھے خود جون ایلیا اور انکی اہلیہ زاہدہ حنا۔
یہی وہ دن تھے جب میرا بھائ جون سے تعرف ہوا تھا۔ بھائ جون، محلہ کے تمام لوگ جون ایلیا کو بھائ جون ہی کہکر یاد کیا کرتے تھے۔ جون کی فلسفیانہ شاعری تو خیر الگ ہے مگر جون کے کچھ اشعار محلہ کے تقریبًا ہر فر د کو یاد ہوا کرتے تھے۔انمیں شرم، دہشت، جھجھک۔۔۔۔۔۔۔،اور تم جب اوگی تو کھیا ہوا پاوگی مجھے۔۔۔۔۔اکژر سنے اور سنائے
جاتے تھے۔
جون سے میرا باقاعدہ تعرف ۲۰۱۰ کے اواخر میں ہوا۔ محلہ کے کچھ لڑکے جون کے بڑے شیدائ تھے۔جن میں اسلم بھائ اور اشرف بھائ کے نام اہم ہیں۔ انہی کی معرفت سے میری جون ایلیا کی شاید تک رسائ ہوئ۔اور پھر اسکے بعد فیسبک پر جون ایلیا کا پیج جوائن کیا جسے خالد احمد انصاری چلاتے ہیں۔ یہیں سے جون اور میرا باقاعدہ رشتہ قائم ہوا تھا۔ امروہہ کے ایک شاعر جو کہ پاکستان ہجرت کر گئے تھے کی حیثیت سے تو جون کو پہلے سے جانتا تھا مگر جون کو جون ایلیا کی طرح جاننے اور سمجھنے کی شروعات یہیں سے ہوئ تھی ۔ گھر کے ایک گوشے میں اکژر بیتھا رہنے والا، یا محلہ میں اواراگردی کرنے والا لڑکا اب باقاعدہ شعر و سخن میں دلچسپی لینے لگا تھا۔ اور حالات اس سے بھی زیادہ خراب ہو رہے تھے۔ یہی وہ دن بھی تھے جب پہلی مرتبہ مرض دل میں مبتلہ ہوا تھا۔ وہ بھی جون کی ایک شیدائ سے۔ بات فیسبک سے فون پر بات کرنے تک بھی پہنچی مگر میں قدر شرمیلا تھا۔اب بھی ہوں۔بات وات نہیں کر پایا زیادہ۔۔
معصوم کس قدر تھا میں آغاز عشق میں
اکثر تو اسکے سامنے شرما گیا ہوں میں
یہی سب سلسلے کئ دن تک چلتے رہے۔ جون اب میرے شعور میں پیوست ہوتے جا رہے تھے۔ جون کی شاعری کے علاوہ شاید کا دیباچہ ’’نیازمندانہ‘‘ تباہ کن ثابت ہوا۔ بہت حد تک مزہبی لڑکا اب سوچنے کی محلک بیماری میں مبتلہ ہونے جا رہا تھا یا ہو چکا تھا۔ صحیح معنی میں مجھے غور اور فکر، کشادہ ذہنی کی (جسکا مجھے گمان ہے ) طرف راغب کرنے میں جون کا کردار بہت اہم ہے۔ اسکے علاوہ محترم ضیاالبدر، برادر عزیز نوازش نقوی، مولانا کامران حیدر وغیرہ نے بھی بہت متاثر کیا ۔
بات جون ایلیا کی ہو رہی تھی۔اردو شعر ادب سے آ شنائ رکھنے والا شخص جون کے نامِ نامی سے ضرور واقف ہوگا۔ جون ایلیا بر صغیر کے ان نمائندہ شعرا میں ہیں جنہوں نے اردو شاعری میں اپنے منفرد طرز و بیان سے نئ وسعتیں پیدا کیں۔ خاص طورسے جون کی شاعری کے حوالے سے جس نکتہ پر کم گفتگو ہوتی ہے وہ ہے مکالماتی شاعری۔ اساتزہ اور جون کے ہم عصر شعرا کے ہاں مکالماتی شاعری کی مثالیں موجود ہیں مگر وہ چند اشعار یا چند غزلوں تک محدود ہیں ۔ جون کی شاعری کا ایک بڑا حصہ مکلاما تی شاعری کی مثالوں سے بھرا ہے ۔ مثلًا انکی نظم ’نقش کہن ؔ یا مشہور غزل ’بنام فارحہ۔جس میں انہونے اپنی خیالی محبوبہ کو مخاطب کیا ہے۔۔۔۔۔
ساری باتیں بھول جانا فارحہ
تھا وہ سب کچھ اک فسانہ فارحہ
ہاں محبت ایک دھوکا ہی تو ہے
اب کبھی دھوکا نہ کھانا فارحہ
پیشکش میں پھول کر لینا قبول
اب ستارے مت منگانا فارحہ۔۔۔
اسی طرح کی اور بھی غزلیں اور نظمیں جون کے شائع شدہ کلام میں موجود ہیں۔ سہل بیانی اور ادق پسندی ان دونوں کا یک جا ہونا بھی شاذ و نادر پایا جاتا ہے۔ جون کی شاعری میں یہ دونو عنصر موجود ہیں۔۔۔
زندگی کس طرح بسر ہوگی
دل نہیں لگ رہا محبت میں
آ سان بہر میں اس اچھا اور جازب شعر کم ہی دیکھنے میں اتا ہے۔ جون ایلیا نے اپنی نظموں میں اکژر بہت مشکل زبان استعمال کی ہے۔ جون کی نظموں کو پسند کرنے والے قاریئن اس بات سے بخوبی واقف ہے۔
جون کی شاعری سے جڑے یہ سب پہلو تفصیل طلب اور ماھرانہ رائے کے متحمل ہیں۔ جون ایلیا کی شاعری کے علاوہ مجھے انکے نظریات نے سب سے زیادہ متاثر کیا ہے۔ جون کا مطالعہ وسیع تر تھا۔ اسلامی تاریخ اور فلسفے پر انکی گہری نظر تھی۔ عربی اور فارسی پر بھی عبور تھا ۔ ان سب عناصر کا ایک جگہ ایک ہی شاعر اور اسکی شاعری میں شامل ہونا ہی جون کو انکے ہم عصر اور ایک حد تک ان سے قبل کے اکثر شعرا سے جدا بناتا ہے۔ میرے نذدیک عظیم شاعر وہ ہے جسکا پیغام آفاقی ہو۔ عالم انسانیت کے لیے ہو کسی ایک قوم اور ملک کے لئیے نہ ہو۔ اور یہ چیز جون ایلیا کے یہا ں جا بہ جا ملتی ہے۔جون اشتراکی نظریات بھی رکھتے تھے۔
ہو جہاں ذر نہ قیمت یوسف
کر وہ بازارِ بے درم تازہ
اس طرح کے اشعار سے جون نے اپنے نظریات کا بخوبی اظہار کیا ہے۔اسکے علاوہ ںنثر میں بھی جون نے لاثانی مثالیں قائم کی ہیں۔ انکے پلہے شعری مجموعے ’شاید ‘ کا مقدمہ انکی اردو نثر پرقدرت کو ثابت کرنے کے لئیےکافی ہے۔ نثر میں بھی جون نے اپنے ں نظریات کا کھلکر اظہار کیا ہے۔
مجموعی طور پر یہی ساری چیزیں ہیں جو مجھے جون ایلیا کے قریب لے جاتی ہیں۔ شاعری محض شاعری کی حد تک وقتی طور پر لطف تو فراہم کرا سکتی ہے مگر فکر کو متاثر کرنے والی شاعری گہری فکر کا نتیجہ ہوتی ہے اور فکر نظریات کی وسعت سے پیدا ہوتی ہے۔ جون کی شخصیت میں وسعتِ نظری کی کرشمہ سازی ہے جو واضع طور پر قاری کو متاثر کرتی ہے۔ یہی جون کی شاعری کا attraction ہے۔
- तुम लव स्टोरीज़ क्यूँ पढ़ते हो इतना ? और शाएरी में भी तुम्हें रोमांटिक्स ज़्यादा पसंद हैं ?
अपने मासूम अंदाज़ में उसने पूछा था और सवाल सुनकर मेरी आँखों में चमक आ गयी थी और होंटों पर हल्की सी मुस्कान।
- हम्म.... हम उन्हीं चीजों के बारें में ज़्यादा बात करना पसंद करते हैं जो हुमें मिल न पायी हों या मिलती न हों।
मैंने थोड़ा सीरियस होते हुये जवाब दिया था । जिसे सुनकर वो थोड़ी उदास सी हो गयी थी । वो शायद मेरी अतीत के बारे में सोचने लगी थी या अपनी वर्तमान के बारें में जिसमें वो मेरे साथ थी, मुझसे मोहब्बत करती थी । उसे शायद लगा हो की मैं उसकी मोहब्बत पे शक कर रहा हूँ। फिर मैंने बात बदलते हुए उसे अपनी पसंद का शेर सुनाने के लिए कहा था ।
- शेर? मुझे तो तुम्हारे ही शेर पसंद हैं ।
उसने फ्लर्ट करने के अंदाज़ में कहा था ।
- सुनाओं न प्लीज़!
मैं झुँझलाते हुए कहा था
- अच्छा! रुको एक मिनट याद कर लेने दो
और वो कुछ देर के लिए सोच में गुम हो गयी थी । इस समय उसका मासूम चेहरा मेरी निगाहों में था ।
- अरे यार ! नहीं याद आ रहा कोई
फिर कुछ देर बाद उसने परेशान होते हुए कहा था ।
-तुम्ही कोई शेर सुना दो न
उसने मुझे फरमाइशी अंदाज़ में कहा था ।
- "ज़िंदगी किस तरह बसर होगी
दिल नहीं लग रहा मोहब्बत में"
मैंने उसे जौन एलिया का शेर सुनाया था। जिसे सुनकर वो चिढ़ गयी थी ।
- हाँ हाँ ! ठीक है ! तो चले जाओ न जब दिल नहीं लग रहा ।
उसने चिढ़ते हुए बचकाने अंदाज़ में कहा था । लेकिन जाने वाला तो कोई और था । समय ने हमारी कहानी कुछ और ही तरह से लिखी थी । दिल्ली में भीषण डेंगु फैल रहा था । वो कुछ दिन से कॉलेज नहीं आ रही थी । मैंने पूछा तो उसने कहा कि हल्का सा बुखार है । कुछ दिन में आ जाएगी । मैंने भी मान लिया था । मगर आगे कुछ और ही होने वाला था । मैंने कैंटीन के पास बैठा चाय पी रहा था कि रोहन का फ़ोन आया
- आमिर! यार सुनैना एम्स में एड्मिट है !!
ये सुनकर मैं घबरा गया था
- क्या बोल रहा है यार?
मैं उसकी बात पे यक़ीन नहीं कर पा रहा था
- यार उसे डेंगु हो गया है और उसकी platelets बहुत कम हो गयी हैं । वो सीरीयस है यार
रोहन उसके पड़ोस में ही रहता था । उसकी बात सुनकर दिल घबराने लगा था । अजीब सी हालत हो गयी थी । आँखों के आगे सुनैना का मासूम चेहरा घूमे जा रहा था । हॉस्पिटल जाना था मगर जाने की हिम्मत नहीं थी । मैं कैसे उसका मासूम चेहरा हॉस्पिटल के बेड पर देखता । और फिर किस रिश्ते से जाता । वहाँ उसके परीवार के लोग भी होते । उनसे क्या कहता कि हमारा क्या रिश्ता है । दिल इसी कशमकश में डूबा जा रहा था । रोहन को दो तीन बार फ़ोन किया मगर उसका फ़ोन बंद आ रहा था । इसी उलझन में शाम हो गयी थी । खाना भी नहीं खाया गया था । दिन भर बस उसी का चेहरा रह रह कर याद आ रहा था । फिर अचानक फ़ोने बजा । देखा तो रोहन कि काल थी।
- यार आमिर!! सु... सुनैना
रोहन रुंधी हुई आवाज़ में कुछ कहना चाह रहा था ।
- क्या हुआ यार ! बोल न प्लीज़ !
मैंने चीख़ते हुए कहा था ।
- आमिर! सुनैना चली गयी
ये कहकर उसने फ़ोन काट दिया था । मेरा दिल बैठ गया था । जैसे दो तीन धड़कनें एक साथ स्किप करदी हों । कुछ समझ नहीं आ रहा था । आँखों में आँसू छलक आए थे । और सुनैना की धुंधली धुंधली तस्वीर आंसुओं से भरी आँखों के आगे घूम रही थी । आवाज़ कानों में गूंज रही थी । वो हमारी आख़िरी
- ये लो ठंडी हो जाएगी वरना
ये कहते हुये कॉफ़ी का कप उसकी तरफ़ बढ़ा दिया। उसका ध्यान पास में मुंडेर पर रखे पानी के बर्तन की तरफ़ था जिससे एक कौवा पानी पीने की कोशिश कर रहा था । उस दिन इंडियन कॉफ़ी हाउस में ज़्यादा भीड़ नहीं थी । बराबर वाली मेज़ पर एक अंकल अखबार पढ़ रहे थे । वो अखबार और उसकी सुर्खियों के साथ खोये हुए थे । उनकी कॉफ़ी में से धुआँ धीरे धीरे हल्का हो रहा था। मेरे कहने पर उसका ध्यान टूटा।
- हम्म् तुम पियो मैं लेती हूँ अभी
उसने रूखे से लहजे में कहते हुये अपने बैग से किताब निकली और उसके पन्ने पलटने लगी। एक पन्ना जो उसने मोड़ रखा था उसे पढ्न शुरू कर दिया
- मैं तुमसे बात करने के लिए आया हूँ और तुम किताब में बिज़ि (busy ) हो
मैंने भी झुँझलाते हुए कहा
- हम्म बोलो!
उसने बेदिली से किताब बंद करते हुए मुझसे कहा। उसकी कॉफ़ी का धुआँ भी धीरे धीरे कम हो रहा था ।
- मैं समझ नहीं पा रहा हूँ की आखिर तुम्हारे बर्ताव में एकदम से इतना चेंज (change) क्यूँ आ गया
मैंने हैरानी से उसकी तरफ़ देखते हुए पूछा
- नहीं तो ! कहाँ चेंज (change) आया है ?
उसने ऐसे जवाब दिया की जैसे कुछ हुआ ही न हो और सबकुछ पहले की तरह अच्छा चल रहा हो । ये कहते हुए वो फिर किताब की तरफ़ देखने लगी
- ठीक है । तुम किताब ही पढ़ो
मैंने चिढ़ते हुए कहा। वो ऐसा दिखाना चाह रही थी जैसे कुछ हुआ ही न हो । मगर मैं एहसास कर सकता था । कुछ तो ऐसा हुआ है कि जिसकी वजह से वो अप्सेट (upset) थी मगर जताना नहीं चाह रही ।
- संध्या! तुम्हारा ये बिहेव्यर (behaviour) मुझे तंग कर रहा है
मैंने उसका हाथ थामते हुए कहा । उसकी कॉफ़ी से अब धुआँ उठना बंद हो गया था ।
- अरुण! मैं समझ नहीं पा रही हूँ कि जो हुआ है वो तुम्हें कैसे बताऊँ ?
ये कहते हुये उसकी आँखों झलक उठीं
- वही तो मैं जानना चाहता हूँ ?
मैंने तेज़ लहजे में कहा
- तुम्हें मुझे भूलना होगा! Please forget me!(मुझे भूल जाओ)
उसने बड़े सख़्त लहजे में कहा
- What?!! क्या हो गया है तुम्हें? ये क्या कह रही हो?
मैंने झुँझलाते हुए कहा। अंकल जो अख़बार में खोये हुए थे हमारी तरफ़ देखने लगे।
- समझने की कोशिश करो । अब हम एक साथ नहीं रह सकते । हमे जुदा होना होगा ।
ये कहते हुए उसकी आँखों में आँसू भर आए। रुंधी हुए आवाज़ में वो ठीक से बोल भी नहीं पा रही थी।
- मगर कोई रीज़न (reason) ? ऐसे कैसे कर सकती हो तुम?
मैंने मायूसी भरे लहजे में कहा
- कोई रीज़न ( reason ) नहीं है। We have to do this! ( हमें यह करना ही होगा)
ये कहकर वो वहाँ से जाने लगी।
- संध्या!! संध्या!! मेरी बात सुनो प्लीज़!!
मैं उसकी तरफ़ तेज़ी से बढ़ा और उसका हाथ थाम लिया! वहाँ बैठे सभी लोग हमारी तरफ़ देख रहे थे।
-अरुण प्लीज़! तमाशा मत करो!
उसने बड़े रूखे अंदाज़ में कहा था । मैंने उसका हाथ छोड़ दिया और वो तेज़ी से सीढ़ियों से नीचे चली गयी । मैं वही पड़ी कुर्सी पर बैठ गया । मैं एक साथ दो भाव बर्दाश्त कर रहा था । एक दुख और हैरानी । कल तक एक दूसरे के साथ जीने मरने के वादे करने वाली लड़की को अचानक क्या हो गया । मैंने उसे कई बार फोन किया मगर उसने कोई जवाब नहीं दिया । और एक दिन वो कारण पता चल ही गया । मेरे दोस्त उत्कर्ष ने फोन करके मुझे वो बताया जिसे सुनकर ख़ुद को संभाल पाना बोहोत मुश्किल था । संध्या मर चुकी थी। उसे ब्रेस्ट कैंसर ( breast cancer ) था । और इसी लिए वो मुझसे दूर जाना चाहती थी । उसने मेरे साथ अपने सुख तो बांटे और अपने दुख अपने लिए चुने । और मैं इतने दिन इसी कश्मकश में जीता रहा कि आखिर उसने ऐसा क्यूँ किया !!!
हार्न की तेज़ आवाज़ रुकी तो किसी की मीठी सी बोहोत धीमी आवाज़ मेरे कानों में पड़ी । "एक्स्क्युज़ मीं! आप बता सकते हैं यहाँ से नेहरु प्लेस कैसे जाना है?" सवाल आसान था मगर सवाल पूछने वाला इतना मुश्किल कि एकदम से जवाब नहीं दे पाया और कुछ लम्हों तक उसके मासूम चेहरे को देखता रह गया। वो भी हैरान थी । थोड़ा uncomfortable लगी तो मेरी नज़रे सकपकाईं और मैंने तुरंत हकलाने के क़रीब लहजे में जवाब दिया, "अ....आप यहाँ से ग्रामीण सेवा या कोई भी बस लेकर जुलैन रेड लाइट उतर जाइए और वहाँ से 534 पकड़ लीजे जो आपको सीधे नहरु प्लेस पहुंचादेगी" "ओके थैंक यू " कहकर उसने नज़र बचा ली ।
उसका सवाला तो पूरा हो चुका था । मगर मेरी नज़रें तो अब भी सावली थीं। वो उलझन में थी । उसकी नज़रें बस आने के रास्ते की तरफ़ टिकी थीं । कोई भी गाड़ी नहीं आ रही थी । कभी वो अपनी चेन वाली हाथ घड़ी की तरफ़ देखती और कभी सड़क के इधर उधर नज़र दौड़ाती । वो इस उलझन में थी कि कोई गाड़ी जल्दी से आ जाए । और इधर मेरा हाल ये थे कि जैसे कोई बच्चा मासूमियत भरे लहजे में दुआएं कर रहा हो कि काश कुछ देर लिए कोई भी गाड़ी नहीं ना आए । सवाल पूछने के बाद उसने शायद एक बार भी मेरी तरफ़ नहीं देखा था । इधर मैं था कि अब कुछ और नज़र ही नहीं आ रहा था । सड़क पर दौड़ती गाड़ियों का शोर भी सुनाई नहीं दे रहा था । होश गुम हो गए थे । वो घड़ी घड़ी उलझन में अपनी उंगली पर अपनी एक ज़ुल्फ़ को , जो शायद उसने यूंही खुली छोड़ दी थी, बल दे रही थी । जैसे जैसे उसकी ज़ुल्फ़ उसकी उंगली पर उलझती जाती थी वैसे वैसे मेरा दिल भी । बल पड़ गए थे निगाहों में । उसका इंतज़ार और उलझन दोनों बढ़ रहे थे । इधर मैं था कि बिलकुल अंजान । शायद वक़्त भी रुक सा गया था । शायद किसी ने मेरे लिए सड़कें जाम करदी थी कि वो जा न सके और मैं उसे घंटों यूंही देखता रहूँ ।
अचानक हार्न की कर्कश आवाज़ कानों में पड़ी । अब उसके चहरे पर सुकून था और मेरी उलझन बढ़ रही थी । जो वक़्त अभी देर पहले ठहर सा गया था वो अब तेज़ रफ़्तार घोड़े से भी ज़्यादा तेज़ भाग रहा था । दिल की धड़कन बढ़ सी गयी थी । मैं ये भी भूल गया था कि मुझे कौन सी बस में जाना था । ये भी याद नहीं कि वो मेरी ही बस थी । भीड़ थी । बस के दरवाज़े पर लोग चढ़ने का इंतज़ार कर रहे थे। वो अपना हैंडबैग संभालें चढ़ने की कोशिश कर रही थी । मेरी दुआ अपना असर खो रही थी । वो बस जाने ही वाली थी । मेरी निगाहें जम गयी थीं । पथराई सी । एक अजब से नाउम्मीदी झलक रही थी । शायद वो जाते हुये ही पलट कर देख ले । बस चली तो धड़कन और तेज़ हुई । "प्लीज़ एक बार तो देखो" मन में बड़बड़ाया । बस तेज़ हो गयी । उसने नहीं देखा । इतनी बेरुखी । दिल बैठ गया और मैं भी ।
उसका सवाला तो पूरा हो चुका था । मगर मेरी नज़रें तो अब भी सावली थीं। वो उलझन में थी । उसकी नज़रें बस आने के रास्ते की तरफ़ टिकी थीं । कोई भी गाड़ी नहीं आ रही थी । कभी वो अपनी चेन वाली हाथ घड़ी की तरफ़ देखती और कभी सड़क के इधर उधर नज़र दौड़ाती । वो इस उलझन में थी कि कोई गाड़ी जल्दी से आ जाए । और इधर मेरा हाल ये थे कि जैसे कोई बच्चा मासूमियत भरे लहजे में दुआएं कर रहा हो कि काश कुछ देर लिए कोई भी गाड़ी नहीं ना आए । सवाल पूछने के बाद उसने शायद एक बार भी मेरी तरफ़ नहीं देखा था । इधर मैं था कि अब कुछ और नज़र ही नहीं आ रहा था । सड़क पर दौड़ती गाड़ियों का शोर भी सुनाई नहीं दे रहा था । होश गुम हो गए थे । वो घड़ी घड़ी उलझन में अपनी उंगली पर अपनी एक ज़ुल्फ़ को , जो शायद उसने यूंही खुली छोड़ दी थी, बल दे रही थी । जैसे जैसे उसकी ज़ुल्फ़ उसकी उंगली पर उलझती जाती थी वैसे वैसे मेरा दिल भी । बल पड़ गए थे निगाहों में । उसका इंतज़ार और उलझन दोनों बढ़ रहे थे । इधर मैं था कि बिलकुल अंजान । शायद वक़्त भी रुक सा गया था । शायद किसी ने मेरे लिए सड़कें जाम करदी थी कि वो जा न सके और मैं उसे घंटों यूंही देखता रहूँ ।
अचानक हार्न की कर्कश आवाज़ कानों में पड़ी । अब उसके चहरे पर सुकून था और मेरी उलझन बढ़ रही थी । जो वक़्त अभी देर पहले ठहर सा गया था वो अब तेज़ रफ़्तार घोड़े से भी ज़्यादा तेज़ भाग रहा था । दिल की धड़कन बढ़ सी गयी थी । मैं ये भी भूल गया था कि मुझे कौन सी बस में जाना था । ये भी याद नहीं कि वो मेरी ही बस थी । भीड़ थी । बस के दरवाज़े पर लोग चढ़ने का इंतज़ार कर रहे थे। वो अपना हैंडबैग संभालें चढ़ने की कोशिश कर रही थी । मेरी दुआ अपना असर खो रही थी । वो बस जाने ही वाली थी । मेरी निगाहें जम गयी थीं । पथराई सी । एक अजब से नाउम्मीदी झलक रही थी । शायद वो जाते हुये ही पलट कर देख ले । बस चली तो धड़कन और तेज़ हुई । "प्लीज़ एक बार तो देखो" मन में बड़बड़ाया । बस तेज़ हो गयी । उसने नहीं देखा । इतनी बेरुखी । दिल बैठ गया और मैं भी ।
بھگت سنگھ اور میرا رشتہ اسی طرح قائم ہوا جس طرح میرے ہم عمر بچوں کا ہوا تھا۔ درسی کتابوں اور بھگت سنگھ کی زندگی پر بننے والی فلموں نے ایک نقش دماغ پر بٹھا دیا تھا جوایک مدت تک قائم رہا۔ مجھے درسی کتب پڑھنے کا شوق کبھی نہیں رہا۔ شاید یہی وجہ ہے کی میں تعلیمی ریس میں اوروں سے تھوڑا پیچھے ہوں۔مگر درسی کتا بوں کے علاوہ چمپک اور کامکس پڑھنے کا ہمیشہ سے شوق رہا ہے۔ شروع میں اردو اور انگریزی باآسانی نہیں پڑھ پاتا تھا۔ تعلیم کا میڈیم ہندی تھا اس لیے ہندی با آسانی پڑھ لیتا تھا۔ مگر دل میں خواہش تھی کہ اردو اور انگریزی میں بھی کتابیں پڑھنی ہیں۔ کوشش کرتا رہا اور دھیرے دھیرے ان دونوں زبانوں میں بھی کتب پڑھنے لگا۔ یہ بات قابل فہم ہے کی جتنی زیادہ زبانیں ہم جانتے ہونگے ہمارا مطالعہ کا داعرہ بھی اتنا ہی وسیع تر پوگا۔چونکی میرا تعلق امروہہ سے ہے اور امروہہ ہندوستان اور بیرون ہندوستان اردو شعر و ادب میں اپنی خدمات کے لئے جانا جاتا ہے۔ مگر قابل حیرت ہو سکتا ہے کی امروہہ میں کوئ بھی اچھی کتابوں کی دکان نہیں جہاں آپکو معیاری کتب مل جائیں۔ حال ہی میں محلہ گزری میں ایک دکان قائم تو ہوئ ہے مگر وہاں مزہبی نوعیت کی کتب ہی دستیاب ہوتی ہیں۔ امروہہ جو کہ اردو شعر و ادب کا ایک زریں مرکز مانا جاتا ہے وہاں اردو کی معیاری کتب دستیاب نہیں ہوتیں تو دوسری زبانوں جیسے انگریزی اور ہندی میں کتابیں ملنے کا سوال ہی نہیں۔ اور یہی میری بھی مشکل تھی۔ اس کا کچھ حل ڈاک کے ذریے کتب منگا کے نکلا مگر وہ بھی کافی نہیں تھا۔ خیر، کتا بیں پڑھنے کا سلسلہ دھیرے دھیرے چلتا رہا ۔ سن ۲۰۱۲ میں اعلیٰ تعلیم کے لئے دہلی آنے کا سنہرا موقع فراہم ہوا۔ میں نے جامعہ ملیہ اسلامیہ میں ام ایس سی میں داخلہ لیا۔ یہیں سے بھگت سنگھ کی شخصیت اور انکے نظریات کو باقاعدہ جاننے کا سلسلہ بھی شروع ہوا جو اب تک جاری ہے۔
دہلی آنے کے بعد کتابیں خریدنے اور پڑھنے کا شوق مزید پروان چڑھنے لگا۔ وہ کتاب جس نے مجھے بھگت سنگھ اور انکے نظریات کو جاننے اور سمجھنے کے لیے سبسے زیادہ متاثر کیا وہ تھی ’’میں ملحد کیوں‘‘ (Why I am an Atheist) اور اس میں موجود پروفیسر بپن چندر کا دیبا چہ۔ انہوں نے میرے سامنے بھگت سنگھ کی وہ تصویر پیش کی جو عوام میں بھگت سنگھ کی امیج سے بالکل جدا تھی۔ اب تک میرے ذہن میں بھگت سنگھ کی جو تصویر تھی اسکے مطابق وہ ایک مجاہد آزادی اور وطن پرست نوجوان تھے جو مادر وطن کی آزادی کے لیے جان دنیے اور لینے کا جوش اور ولولہ رکھتا تھا۔ مگر اس مختصر سی تحریر کو پڑھنے کے بعد بھگت سنگھ کی ایک نئ امیج سے آشانئ ہوئ۔
بھگت سنگھ، جیسا کی درسی کتابوں اور فلموں میں دکھایا جاتا ہے، اس سے بالکل الگ تھے۔ وہ نہ صرف ایک مجاہد آزادی تھے بلکہ ایک دانشور بھی تھے۔ اپنی تحریروں اور خطوط میں انہوں نے جن نظریات کا اظہار کیا ہے وہ انکی سیاسی اور سماجی بصیرت اور انکی فکر کی وصعت کو ثابت کرنے کے لئیےکافی ہے۔ یوں تو بھگت سنگھ ایک سکھ گھرانے میں پیدا ہوئے اور انکے دادا اور والد کشن سنگھ سناتن دھرم کے پیرو تھے مگر بھگت سنگھ نے بڑھتی مزہبی انتہا پسندی اور اپنے مطالعہ کے اثر سے اپنے لیئے الحاد کا راستہ چنا اور آخری وقت تک اسی پر باقی رہے۔ ہندستان بظاہر صرف انگرزوں اور سرمایاداروں کا غلام تھا۔ مگر بھگت سنگھ اور انکے کامریڈ دو محاذوں پر جنگ کر رہے تھے۔ ایک تھی سرمایا دار انگیرز حکومت کے خلاف اور دوسری تھی مزہبی شدت پسندی اور عدم برداشت کی قوت کے خلاف۔ اور انہی دونوں محاذوں پر لڑتے لڑتے انہونے اپنی جان بھی دی۔ بھگت سنگھ اپنی تمام عمر امن و آشتی کا پیغام اپنی تحریروں اور اپنے عمل سے دیتے رہے۔ ہندوستان میں Secularism اور سماجی ہم آہنگی کے نظام کے بانیوں میں بھگت سنگھ کا نام بھی سنہرے حروف میں درج ہے۔
بھگت سنگھ جو بظاہر ایک جوش و جذ بہ سے لبریز شخصیت نظر آتے تھے در حقیقت وہ ایک مفکر،مدبر اور دانشور تھے۔جس نے محض اپنے نظریات سے انگریزی سرکار کے دانتوں تلے پسینہ لا دیا۔ انگریز ہندستان میں امن کے دشمن تھے۔ وہ ہندووں اور مسلمانوں کو آ پس میں برسر پیکا ر رکھنے کی کوششیں کر رہے تھے اور ایک حد تک کامیاب بھی ہو رہے تھے۔ادھر بھگت سنگھ انگریزی حکومت کے منصوبوں کو برباد کر دینے پر آ مادہ تھے انگریزوں کو بھگت سنگھ کی بہادری اور طاقت کا ڈر نہیں تھا بلکہ سماج کو بدل دینے والے انکے نظریات انکے لیئے پریشانی کا سبب تھے۔ اسکے لئیےانہوں نے ہر شخص سے مقابلہ کیا جس نے عوام کو مزہب کے نام پر بانٹنے کی کوشش کی۔وہ سرمایاداری نظام کے دشمن تھے۔ وہ غریب پرور تھے۔ وہ محبت کے پیغامبر تھے۔ اور یہی چیزیں مجھے انکے نزدیک لاتی ہیں۔ انہی نظریات کی بنا پر میرا اور بھگت سنگھ کا رشتہ قائم ہوا ہے۔
Unfinished Assignments: Confession of a Dead Jamia Student
- November 03, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 0 Comments
Almost all the examinations at Jamia were over. Most of the students
had gone back to their hometowns for the summer holidays. Only a few
students were left at the university who used to come to the library to
study. I too had gone home for a few days but returned early because I
had to prepare for a competitive entrance exam.
It was a usual evening for me at the Old Dr. Zakir Husain Library. The library closing time of 12 midnight was coming closer and the students were gradually leaving the library reading room. I, however, decided to stay till closing time because I wanted to finish the unit I was reading before I left for the night. It was 11:20 p.m. according to my watch, and almost all the students had left by that time. Only two or three students were still left in the room and it looked like they were getting ready to leave too. I thought of going to the washroom, so I stepped out. I usually sit in the library reading hall on the first floor, while the washrooms are on the ground floor. So as I was walking downstairs for the washrooms, the remaining students also moved out towards the staircase to go downstairs. While everybody exited the library, I stepped into the corridor that leads to the washrooms, humming one of my favourite songs, as I usually do when I’m in a good mood.
As I walked down the corridor humming a tune, I could hear the sound of somebody’s footsteps behind me. At first I ignored it and kept on walking. But the sound of footsteps got louder and I felt someone was walking right behind me. So I turned back to see who it was. But to my surprise, there was no one there. I was sure I had heard somebody walking behind me, and yet I saw no one when I turned around.
To make sense of the incident, I told myself that I must have been hallucinating. I hurriedly went into the washroom, did my business, and came out to have some water at the drinking water tap placed in the corridor. While I was leaning on the tap sipping water, I felt someone tap me on my back. That scared the living day lights out of me! I almost screamed with fear. I turned around and yelled, “Kaun hai?! ” (Who’s there?). Again, there was no one there but the empty corridor and the stillness of the night.
I rushed into the reading hall grabbed my bag and books, and ran out of the library hastily. As I walked back to my room, I tried to convince myself that the incident was nothing but a hallucination. But I couldn’t help be reminded of the stories I had heard from my friends about spirits of dead Jamia students who still roamed the corridors of the old library reading hall. They used to say that all the laborious hardworking students, who died young, still wander the halls of the library helping students with their positive energy.
I reached my room, had some water and retired to bed to have some sleep. But as hard as I would try, I was not able to fall asleep because of the disturbing thoughts of the incident.
The next morning, after very little sleep, I woke up late with a heavy head. The first thought intruding my mind was that of last night’s incident. I went for a shower with a heavy and aching body due to tiredness. I put on my clothes and rushed out to have something to eat. I was feeling famished. I had my lunch and headed back to my room to have some more rest. It was 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon when I woke up again. I decided to go to the library again to study. I had to finish a unit as soon as possible. I reached Jamia at the gate near Jama Masjid. The guard asked me for my student ID card. He let me in after seeing my ID card. I moved in and headed towards the old library.
Reading hall on the first floor was stuffed with students. In the day time there are always a large number of students in the reading hall. And because the reading hall on the ground floor was not functional, there was more rush in the reading hall upstairs those days. Luckily I found a chair and sat down. I took out my books and started unfurling the pages. The day passed; I was still stuck with the same unit because thoughts of last night’s incidents were still running through my mind and disturbing me. I was not able to concentrate.
Somehow till 7-7:45 pm, I managed to finish the unit and went out for dinner. I planned to come back by 8.30 and start the next unit. I instead came back at 9. The crowd was now considerably less because only students from the nearby places stay that late in the library. I settled myself down and started doing my work. The clock was slowly moving toward the closing time and students were leaving one by one. As the students were moving out gradually, something inside my mind was poking me about the expected repeat of the incident that happened the other day. I pushed these thoughts aside and kept on going through my book. When the last student left at about 11.30, I got really scared and started to wonder if I should stay here alone or not. Though I had convinced myself that last night’s incident was nothing but a hallucination, I was feeling rather cautious about the incident and decided not to go to the washroom that night.
I gathered all my strength and concentration and immersed myself into my book again. I was lost in my book when I felt someone walking past my table. I thought it was probably be the security guard on inspection and didn’t pay any attention to it.
But suddenly, somebody tapped my back and called my name, “Turab!”
I again got really scared and almost screamed. I turned around to look who it was calling my name. But again, there was no one behind me.
I was not even over the initial shock, when I turned around and saw a teenage boy sitting right in front of me across the table. I got so scared that I felt like I was going to faint. The boy opened his mouth and said to me: “Please, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk to you. I want to tell you my story.”
My heart was already racing with fear, but when I heard him speak, I felt my heart would jump out of my chest. I was unable to speak even. But I somehow gathered all my strength and stuttered: “Www… Why? Why me? What do you want to say to me?
With tears in his eyes, he began telling me his story.
I am a 1997 batch B.Tech mechanical engineering student here at Jamia, he said. My name is Avinash. I was a hostler. I was a very laborious student. I used to do nothing but study all the time. I not only loved to study, but I also studied for the sake of my parents and their expectations of me. I was from a lower middle class family. I was the eldest of my three siblings. Thus, I had greater responsibilities of my family. They somehow managed my course fee and hostel expenses. I also earned a small income by giving tuitions to school children from nearby areas. Though it was very time-consuming, I had to do it to fulfill my basic needs.
First year of college was going great and up to the expectations of my parents. I was getting good grades in the midterm tests and performed well in the final exam as well. Then came the second year of college, which was a turning point in my life. I was young. I was ambitious. I had all the desires that young men of my age have. When I came back after the summer holidays, the new session had started. It was my second year. All of my classmates decided to rag the freshers. Ragging did not use to be that extreme at that time. We just used to ask their names and make fun of them in a light way.
Among the freshers we were ragging, there was a girl who left me awestruck when I first saw her. She appeared so innocent and sweet while talking. I instantly fell for her. That day only I talked to her and introduced myself personally.
After a formal introductory session, we started meeting very often. We used to go together for tea and sometimes for lunch also. I don’t know when it happened but I started feeling for her. It had become a daily routine that I would meet her, talk to her, and have tea with her. As a result, I started drifting away from my studies. I hardly ever went to the library. In class I stopped paying attention to the lectures. All I could think of was her. Tuitions were also getting disturbed. I often got late for the tuitions. Parents of the kids whom I was teaching started complaining about by tardiness. But I paid no attention to their complaints. I was in love and it didn’t matter what anybody said. I was foolishly in love without even knowing if she felt the same for me or not.
The results of the first sessionals were alarming enough to break the spell of this love thing. I got very poor marks in most of my papers. Even my teachers were worried about it. I remember when Ehtesham Sir called me in his chamber and asked about the reason for me getting poor marks. He said, “What is happening to you Avinash? You are a brilliant student. I am shocked to see your marks?”
I had nothing to say to him, so I kept my head down and just listened to him. My parents were not aware of what was happening with me in Delhi. For them, I was a responsible kid who would never embarrass them with anything of this kind. They were just expecting me to get good grades this year too. And here, I could not think of anything but her. Every day, I would go to class, attend all the lectures, take notes, would do everything while thinking about her all the time. Time was passing very fast. Final exams were just two months away. I hadn’t prepared well for the exams yet. I did not even write my notes properly. I was taking no care of all this.
Finally, the day came when this beautiful self-made castle in the air was to shatter. It was her birthday. Her classmates arranged a cake for her and they celebrated her birthday in the classroom. But I wanted to do something special for her on her special day. When we met, I greeted her and asked her if she would come with me to the community centre at NFC. She nodded her head in agreement and started walking with me. I had already ordered a cake for her with her name scribbled on top. I bought a bouquet of flowers for her too. During all this she looked at me a bit puzzled, probably wondering why I was doing all these special things for her?
We sat there in the corner near a huge tree. I took out the cake and put a candle on it. I lit the candle and asked her to blow it out. She cut the cake and put a small piece in my mouth. I did the same to her. It was my moment to reveal all my devastating feelings that I was carrying around for so long in my heart. I said, I have to tell you something? She looked a bit confused in her expressions, but replied: Sure, tell me!
Then I just blurted it out. I said, I have loved you from the moment I saw you. I love you like anything. I was not looking at her face while speaking. I just kept my gaze down. I don’t know how she reacted when she heard those words. After listening to this, she remained silent for a while and spoke very calmly and said: “Look Avinash! Please don’t get me wrong, but I never thought of you that way. I only thought of you as a best friend.”
At that moment, I felt something break inside me. I could not bear the sheer pain of rejection. Tears started dripping down my eyes.
“Why did you not tell me this earlier?” she said. “This would not have happened if you had told me earlier.”
I was numb; utterly speechless. I could not utter a single word. I just got up and ran away from her. She kept shouting, “Avinash! Avinash! Please listen to me. Please hear it for once.”
But I could not bear to stay there for a single moment. I reached my hostel; rushed into my room; slammed the door behind me and locked it. Then I broke into tears and cried. I wept and I wept like I had never wept before. I was left with nothing but my painful reality. Fear of failing in my exams; fear of punishment because I had not completed my assignments; and above all, fear of failing my parents. I had no one to blame but myself. I was the only reason for my failure. I was scared, I was worried, my head was bursting with stress. I could not think of any solution for my pain, except one. I decided to end it. I pulled the bed sheet off my bed and tied it to the ceiling fan on one end. With the other end, I tied it around my neck. All the feelings of regret were dancing around my head. What if I had studied well? What if I had done nothing of that kind? What if I had told her earlier? What if…
Avinash’s words were still echoing in my mind, when somebody shook my arm and said: “Arre so gaye kya? Utho library band honi hai?” (Did you fall asleep? Get up! The library is to be closed). I put my books in my bag, got up, and walked out of the library.
Originally published at Jamiajournal.com
It was a usual evening for me at the Old Dr. Zakir Husain Library. The library closing time of 12 midnight was coming closer and the students were gradually leaving the library reading room. I, however, decided to stay till closing time because I wanted to finish the unit I was reading before I left for the night. It was 11:20 p.m. according to my watch, and almost all the students had left by that time. Only two or three students were still left in the room and it looked like they were getting ready to leave too. I thought of going to the washroom, so I stepped out. I usually sit in the library reading hall on the first floor, while the washrooms are on the ground floor. So as I was walking downstairs for the washrooms, the remaining students also moved out towards the staircase to go downstairs. While everybody exited the library, I stepped into the corridor that leads to the washrooms, humming one of my favourite songs, as I usually do when I’m in a good mood.
As I walked down the corridor humming a tune, I could hear the sound of somebody’s footsteps behind me. At first I ignored it and kept on walking. But the sound of footsteps got louder and I felt someone was walking right behind me. So I turned back to see who it was. But to my surprise, there was no one there. I was sure I had heard somebody walking behind me, and yet I saw no one when I turned around.
To make sense of the incident, I told myself that I must have been hallucinating. I hurriedly went into the washroom, did my business, and came out to have some water at the drinking water tap placed in the corridor. While I was leaning on the tap sipping water, I felt someone tap me on my back. That scared the living day lights out of me! I almost screamed with fear. I turned around and yelled, “Kaun hai?! ” (Who’s there?). Again, there was no one there but the empty corridor and the stillness of the night.
I rushed into the reading hall grabbed my bag and books, and ran out of the library hastily. As I walked back to my room, I tried to convince myself that the incident was nothing but a hallucination. But I couldn’t help be reminded of the stories I had heard from my friends about spirits of dead Jamia students who still roamed the corridors of the old library reading hall. They used to say that all the laborious hardworking students, who died young, still wander the halls of the library helping students with their positive energy.
I reached my room, had some water and retired to bed to have some sleep. But as hard as I would try, I was not able to fall asleep because of the disturbing thoughts of the incident.
The next morning, after very little sleep, I woke up late with a heavy head. The first thought intruding my mind was that of last night’s incident. I went for a shower with a heavy and aching body due to tiredness. I put on my clothes and rushed out to have something to eat. I was feeling famished. I had my lunch and headed back to my room to have some more rest. It was 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon when I woke up again. I decided to go to the library again to study. I had to finish a unit as soon as possible. I reached Jamia at the gate near Jama Masjid. The guard asked me for my student ID card. He let me in after seeing my ID card. I moved in and headed towards the old library.
Reading hall on the first floor was stuffed with students. In the day time there are always a large number of students in the reading hall. And because the reading hall on the ground floor was not functional, there was more rush in the reading hall upstairs those days. Luckily I found a chair and sat down. I took out my books and started unfurling the pages. The day passed; I was still stuck with the same unit because thoughts of last night’s incidents were still running through my mind and disturbing me. I was not able to concentrate.
Somehow till 7-7:45 pm, I managed to finish the unit and went out for dinner. I planned to come back by 8.30 and start the next unit. I instead came back at 9. The crowd was now considerably less because only students from the nearby places stay that late in the library. I settled myself down and started doing my work. The clock was slowly moving toward the closing time and students were leaving one by one. As the students were moving out gradually, something inside my mind was poking me about the expected repeat of the incident that happened the other day. I pushed these thoughts aside and kept on going through my book. When the last student left at about 11.30, I got really scared and started to wonder if I should stay here alone or not. Though I had convinced myself that last night’s incident was nothing but a hallucination, I was feeling rather cautious about the incident and decided not to go to the washroom that night.
I gathered all my strength and concentration and immersed myself into my book again. I was lost in my book when I felt someone walking past my table. I thought it was probably be the security guard on inspection and didn’t pay any attention to it.
But suddenly, somebody tapped my back and called my name, “Turab!”
I again got really scared and almost screamed. I turned around to look who it was calling my name. But again, there was no one behind me.
I was not even over the initial shock, when I turned around and saw a teenage boy sitting right in front of me across the table. I got so scared that I felt like I was going to faint. The boy opened his mouth and said to me: “Please, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk to you. I want to tell you my story.”
My heart was already racing with fear, but when I heard him speak, I felt my heart would jump out of my chest. I was unable to speak even. But I somehow gathered all my strength and stuttered: “Www… Why? Why me? What do you want to say to me?
With tears in his eyes, he began telling me his story.
I am a 1997 batch B.Tech mechanical engineering student here at Jamia, he said. My name is Avinash. I was a hostler. I was a very laborious student. I used to do nothing but study all the time. I not only loved to study, but I also studied for the sake of my parents and their expectations of me. I was from a lower middle class family. I was the eldest of my three siblings. Thus, I had greater responsibilities of my family. They somehow managed my course fee and hostel expenses. I also earned a small income by giving tuitions to school children from nearby areas. Though it was very time-consuming, I had to do it to fulfill my basic needs.
First year of college was going great and up to the expectations of my parents. I was getting good grades in the midterm tests and performed well in the final exam as well. Then came the second year of college, which was a turning point in my life. I was young. I was ambitious. I had all the desires that young men of my age have. When I came back after the summer holidays, the new session had started. It was my second year. All of my classmates decided to rag the freshers. Ragging did not use to be that extreme at that time. We just used to ask their names and make fun of them in a light way.
Among the freshers we were ragging, there was a girl who left me awestruck when I first saw her. She appeared so innocent and sweet while talking. I instantly fell for her. That day only I talked to her and introduced myself personally.
After a formal introductory session, we started meeting very often. We used to go together for tea and sometimes for lunch also. I don’t know when it happened but I started feeling for her. It had become a daily routine that I would meet her, talk to her, and have tea with her. As a result, I started drifting away from my studies. I hardly ever went to the library. In class I stopped paying attention to the lectures. All I could think of was her. Tuitions were also getting disturbed. I often got late for the tuitions. Parents of the kids whom I was teaching started complaining about by tardiness. But I paid no attention to their complaints. I was in love and it didn’t matter what anybody said. I was foolishly in love without even knowing if she felt the same for me or not.
The results of the first sessionals were alarming enough to break the spell of this love thing. I got very poor marks in most of my papers. Even my teachers were worried about it. I remember when Ehtesham Sir called me in his chamber and asked about the reason for me getting poor marks. He said, “What is happening to you Avinash? You are a brilliant student. I am shocked to see your marks?”
I had nothing to say to him, so I kept my head down and just listened to him. My parents were not aware of what was happening with me in Delhi. For them, I was a responsible kid who would never embarrass them with anything of this kind. They were just expecting me to get good grades this year too. And here, I could not think of anything but her. Every day, I would go to class, attend all the lectures, take notes, would do everything while thinking about her all the time. Time was passing very fast. Final exams were just two months away. I hadn’t prepared well for the exams yet. I did not even write my notes properly. I was taking no care of all this.
Finally, the day came when this beautiful self-made castle in the air was to shatter. It was her birthday. Her classmates arranged a cake for her and they celebrated her birthday in the classroom. But I wanted to do something special for her on her special day. When we met, I greeted her and asked her if she would come with me to the community centre at NFC. She nodded her head in agreement and started walking with me. I had already ordered a cake for her with her name scribbled on top. I bought a bouquet of flowers for her too. During all this she looked at me a bit puzzled, probably wondering why I was doing all these special things for her?
We sat there in the corner near a huge tree. I took out the cake and put a candle on it. I lit the candle and asked her to blow it out. She cut the cake and put a small piece in my mouth. I did the same to her. It was my moment to reveal all my devastating feelings that I was carrying around for so long in my heart. I said, I have to tell you something? She looked a bit confused in her expressions, but replied: Sure, tell me!
Then I just blurted it out. I said, I have loved you from the moment I saw you. I love you like anything. I was not looking at her face while speaking. I just kept my gaze down. I don’t know how she reacted when she heard those words. After listening to this, she remained silent for a while and spoke very calmly and said: “Look Avinash! Please don’t get me wrong, but I never thought of you that way. I only thought of you as a best friend.”
At that moment, I felt something break inside me. I could not bear the sheer pain of rejection. Tears started dripping down my eyes.
“Why did you not tell me this earlier?” she said. “This would not have happened if you had told me earlier.”
I was numb; utterly speechless. I could not utter a single word. I just got up and ran away from her. She kept shouting, “Avinash! Avinash! Please listen to me. Please hear it for once.”
But I could not bear to stay there for a single moment. I reached my hostel; rushed into my room; slammed the door behind me and locked it. Then I broke into tears and cried. I wept and I wept like I had never wept before. I was left with nothing but my painful reality. Fear of failing in my exams; fear of punishment because I had not completed my assignments; and above all, fear of failing my parents. I had no one to blame but myself. I was the only reason for my failure. I was scared, I was worried, my head was bursting with stress. I could not think of any solution for my pain, except one. I decided to end it. I pulled the bed sheet off my bed and tied it to the ceiling fan on one end. With the other end, I tied it around my neck. All the feelings of regret were dancing around my head. What if I had studied well? What if I had done nothing of that kind? What if I had told her earlier? What if…
Avinash’s words were still echoing in my mind, when somebody shook my arm and said: “Arre so gaye kya? Utho library band honi hai?” (Did you fall asleep? Get up! The library is to be closed). I put my books in my bag, got up, and walked out of the library.
Originally published at Jamiajournal.com
15 Wonderful Quotes about Writing and Writers
- November 02, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 0 Comments
Writing is an art that needs inspiration be it in the form of words or phrases. Here are some wonderful quotes from famous writers, poets, and critics that will give you the spark of inspiration to lighten up the writer's flame in you.
Quote 1 - Beware of bad writing!
Quote 2 - Bleed the stories out!
Quote 3 - Tell you stories before you die!
Quote 4 - Writing is not that important!
Quote 5 - Start now!
Quote 6 - Write whenever you feel like!
Quote 7 - It is as easy as dancing!
Quote 8 - It's tongue twister!
Quote 9 - Women! have your room first!
Quote 10 - Let the rhythm flow in your prose!
Quote 11- Read before you write!
Quote 12 - Childhood fairy tales!
Quote 13 - Simply writing!
Quote 14 - Begin from the beginning!
Quote 15 - Convey the feeling!
Quote 1 - Beware of bad writing!
Quote 2 - Bleed the stories out!
Quote 3 - Tell you stories before you die!
Quote 4 - Writing is not that important!
Quote 5 - Start now!
Quote 6 - Write whenever you feel like!
Quote 7 - It is as easy as dancing!
Quote 8 - It's tongue twister!
Quote 9 - Women! have your room first!
Quote 10 - Let the rhythm flow in your prose!
Quote 11- Read before you write!
Quote 12 - Childhood fairy tales!
Quote 13 - Simply writing!
Quote 14 - Begin from the beginning!
Quote 15 - Convey the feeling!
Naan Gosht – An Exclusive Part of Amroha’s Culture
- October 14, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 0 Comments
Under the rule of Mughals, several Amrohvis secured esteemed
positions in the Mughal court and the armed forces. In addition to the
monuments and buildings built by these Mansabdars with the economic assistance
of the Mughals, Amroha also imported some exclusive ingredients of Mughal
culture. Degh ka Salan (Meat cooked in a huge vessel) generally
called Qorma is one of the dishes that we acquired from the Mughal cuisine.
Yakhni Wali Biryani is also an exclusive part of this cuisine. Qorma
is usually served with Tandoori Roti , called as Naan in general. This duo of Qorma and Naan is known by the vernacular name Naan-Gosht.
This is the chief dish of the cuisine in all the ceremonial events happening in
Amroha.
You cannot imagine the conclusion of a marriage ceremony without Naan – Gosht where non-veg food is served. Let alone
the marriage ceremonies, Naan- Gosht also remains a part of the cuisine
in various small gatherings and parties. It is most preferred to all other food
items that are served. There use to be a craving for this in the marriage
parties and other ceremonial events.
Nine Quotes from Richard Feynman That Will Make You Fall in Love with His Genius
- October 10, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 0 Comments
Discover the extraordinary Richard P. Feynman—an unconventional
physicist, Nobel laureate, artist, bongo player, and maverick. He
shattered the notion of science as dull and scientists as mere geeks
with his insatiable curiosity, love for learning, and witty expressions.
Prepare to be captivated by his brilliant ideas in Physics as he
mesmerizes listeners with his unique charm and unconventional approach
to observation and experimentation.
Quote 1 - You are easy to fool
Quote 2 - Life is uncertain go find the certainty
Quote 3 - Be irreverent
Quote 4 - Not for [re]production
Quote 5 - Doubt is the cult
Quote 6 - Not knowing is OK
Quote 7 - Laugh louder
Quote 8 - What is in name?
Quote 9 - Yes! I am!
What If
What if I disappear
What if I run away in to the darkness of nonentity
What if you never find me again
What if I become too quite to be heard
What if I become too loud to be heard
What if I become light against your darkness
What if I become darkness against you light
What if I become your own shadow and you never see me for there will be no light around
What if I become you own shadow and you never see me for no shadow can be seen in the darkness
What if I become the odour of far reached flowers of the valley of nonexistence
What if I become air, you can feel but never see or touch me through the senses
What if I never existed
Unknown
Unnoticed
In the world full of people uncountable
Doubting my own existence
What if I disappear
What if I keep quite
What if?
As if you cared!
I have always been curious about the ruined structure standing in the
graveyard situated in Dargah complex of Shahvilyat. Whenever I have
visited that place from my early childhood till the time, I always used
to ask my father or other elders with whom I used to be with about that
structure. The answer was always so absurd that it could not satisfy my
curiosity. The answer
used to be, “ Log kahte hain yahan Tawayfon ki qabrein hain ( Some people say that
there used to be the graves of the nautch girls). Another reason for their
absurd answering was that in their culture it was considered inappropriate to discus about the nautch girls
before the kids of my age. I was a kid indeed, a kid with so many questions
about such places. It was obvious to have that intensive curiosity about such
things and all my questions were yet to be answered.
During a certain span of time, I paid no such
attention to that place. It is now when I have started working on this blog
(Exploring Amroha) I thought of reopening that Pandora box, by doing this,
I may get answers of my questions that are still unanswered. Today, when I visit
this place with my point and shoot camera, I found nothing but few clues
indicating the existence of a walled structure and a small dome lying 4-5 yards
away from the place. Though there remained only a wall of that building, but I still
have a clear impression of that Tomb in my mind, Tomb of the Nautch Girls.
To satisfy my curiosity, I went through some books
written on the history of Amroha (Tareekh e Asghari by Syed Asgher Hussain and
Tareekh e Amroha by Mahmood Ahmad Abbasi) and enquired some elderly persons but
absurdity was still maintained about the place.
If you can recall the frames from Kamal Amrohvi’s
Pakeezah, you can see that he beautifully picturised that scene of the burial of
“Nargis” in that graveyard. That graveyard was a replica of Dargah of
Shahvilyat.
I am not sure if Kamal Amrohvi had this story in his
mind while writing that scene, but somehow it leaves some clues that he may
have that narration of that nautch girls of Amroha buried in the graveyard.
Amroha has always been in royal influence during the
reign of the Mughals and in the rule of Company Bahadur. There lived a majority
of landlords and persons of greater influence powered by the wealth and land
they owned. Nautch girls have been a major part of that culture. Dance was one
of the major sources of entertainment at that time. It is possible that these
nautch girls have inhibited the city during those days.
Though I found no historical evidences
supporting that story, but it may be the case that the story has been concealed
intentionally, to counter the dignity of
that culture that gave no place to such things. In concluding phrases I can say
that the place is enough itself narrating the untold story of the nautch girls.
आदिकाल से अब तक, अपने हठ को कभी हटने नहीं दिया । मैंने अपने अस्तित्व को शक्ति के द्वारा मनवाया । मेरी शक्ति भीड़ में है । मेरे मानने वालों में है । मेरे ऐसे मानने वाले जो मेरे एक इशारे पर मर भी सकते हैं और मार भी सकते हैं । मैंने हर दौर में क़ानून और संविधान को धता बताया । क़ानून और संविधान का अस्तित्व केवल इतना है की उसे किताबों में छापा जाता है और पढ़ा पढ़ाया जाता है । मैं किसी क़ानून को नहीं मानता। मेरा कहा क़ानून है और मेरा लिखा संविधान है । मैंने अपने क्षेत्र का सर्वेसर्वा हूँ । वहाँ मेरा राज चलता है । किसकी हिम्मत जो मेरे रास्ते में आए। मेरे इलाक़े में मेरा क़ानून है जिसका पालन मेरे मानने वाले करते और कराते हैं । मैं चाहे जिसको आने दूँ चाहे जिसको न आने दूँ । ये मेरी मर्ज़ी पर निर्भर करता है । क़ानून! हा हा हा ....... क्या कहा? क़ानून ? क़ानून मैं हूँ ! मैं क़ानून बनाने वाला और मैं ही तोड़ने वाला । क़ानून से बड़ा मैं हूँ !
मेरा ज्ञान सीमित है । मेरे तर्क कमज़ोर हैं । शायद मेरी तर्कशक्ति इतनी नहीं । मगर एक भाव जो मेरे मन और मेरी आत्मा में दृढ़ है वो है सही और ग़लत, न्याय और अन्याय के मध्य अंतर को पहचानने की शक्ति । कोई तर्क सत्य के अस्तित्व को मिटा नहीं सकता बल्कि तर्क सत्य तक पहुचने का साधन मात्र होता है । हो सकता है आपकी तर्कशक्ति आपका ज्ञान मुझसे अधिक हो। आप वाद के दौरान मुझे परास्त करके मेरी विचारधारा को भ्रमित और त्रुटिपूर्ण सिद्ध कर दें किन्तु मेरे सत्यबोध को हानी नहीं पहुँचा सकते । सत्य पर आधारित मेरी भावनाएं समय मात्र के लिए आहत तो हो सकती हैं किन्तु मेरा साथ नहीं छोड़ सकती । मैं तर्कहीन, अज्ञानी, अधूरा हो सकता हूँ किन्तु मेरा सत्य पूरा है ।
Source: mamaexperta |
Living under the impression of tempting desires that become yearnings with the passage of time. He is no different from a child in a toyshop. He is seeing toys around him. He has to choose one out of all for his pocket does not allow him to do more than this. Looking at the shelves again and again. This one! he shouts. No! this one! he shouts again seeing towards another toy. Time is dying very fast. Shop is about to be closed. Shopkeeper is annoyed with the behaviour of the little kid. He is warning him to hurry up. Yet, the kid is confused. He is seeming more of an undesirous yearner. He wants to choose a toy, that is so tempting, from the shelve full of toys. Tik-tik sound of the clock is annoying him. He is looking worried. He has not chosen any toy yet. Suddenly, the shopkeeper shouts, "Time up!".
शनिवार की एक्सट्रा क्लास के लिए सेलास में सीढ़ियों पर बैठा मदाम सोलवे का इंतज़ार कर रहा था तभी कृष्णा ने एक तरफ इशारा करते हुए कहा, "तुराब भाई वो देखिये!" अब जो नज़र घुमाई तो एक मासूम से चिड़िया का बच्चा दिखा। बोहोत छोटा, डरा सहमा लग रहा था। शायद अपनी माँ से बिछड़ गया हो। कहा नहीं जा सकता। सेलास बिल्डिंग के बीच में बने छोटे से बग़ीचे की सीढ़ियों के कोने में छुपा बैठा चिड़िया का बच्चा मन में करुणा के भाव जगा गया। कुछ देर मैं उसे ही निहारता रहा। उसकी हालत देखकर कुछ पुरानी यादें जागने लगी थीं । हमारा मन बोहोत बुरा है । बाहरी दृश्यों से अंदर की तकलीफ़ों, पुरानी यादों को जगा देने में माहिर। कृष्णा ने कहा इसको पानी पिलाते हैं । वो कैंटीन से काग़ज़ का बर्तन लाया जिसमे बच्चा पानी पी सके। मैने अपनी पानी की बोतल से पानी भरने का सोचा। जैसे ही बर्तन बच्चे के नज़दीक गया वह दर गया और अपने छोटे छोटे परों की पूरी ताकत समेट करे कुछ दूर उड़ कर नाली के मुहाने में चला गया। कहते हैं जानवर खतरे का आभास करने में सक्षम होते हैं । मगर हम से उसे कैसे खतरा। हम तो उसकी सहायता कर रहे थे । शायद अभी उसे इतनी समझ न हो । छोटा सा मासूम सा बच्चा जो था। हमारी क्लास का समय हो गया और चले गए । वो शायद बाद में वहीं आ गया हो । या कहीं और चला गया हो। या कुछ और.....
"The man who goes on hunger-strike has a soul. He is moved by that soul and he believes in the justice of his cause.''
( Courtesy: Prof. Chaman Lal) |
These are the words of Mohammed Ali Jinnah as a part of the speech given in Central Assembly condemning the act of brutality by the Government of Punjab on Bhagat Singh and His comrades. Jinnah delivered this historical speech on the day of 12th September 1929 just one day before the martyrdom of Jatindra Nath Das, who left the cage of body on 13th September 1929 in Lahore Central Jail after 63 days of Extensive hunger strike that was pursued by Bhagat Singh and His comrades for the legitimate demands of decent behaviour to the Indian Prisoners by British regime. Lahore Central Jail administration tried everything to break the strike, but all it's cheap and devilish tactics could not deter the firm determined conscience the revolutionaries. Jatindra Nath Das also met this act of brutality when a doctor forcibly tried to feed him putting a pipe through his nose into the lungs and put one litter milk into it. This resulted in the death of Jatin Da due to severe infection and pneumonia.
Jatin Das's House (Courtesy: Prof. Chaman Lal) |
Jatindra Nath Das, a serious looking, sound and soft-spoken as Shiv Verma (comrade) recalls him in his Samsmritiyan, was born on 27th October 1904 in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Born in the era of British dominance over the country and in the air of revolutionary activities for the freedom of the motherland, Jatin Das got all the traits of a revolutionary in his nature from a very early age. He had been involved in various revolutionary parties and movements including Anushilan Samiti, Gandhi's Non Co-operative movement and foundation of Hindostan Republican Association by Sachindra Nath Sanyal. During all these revolutionary activities, he got captured so many times and experienced Jail life for several short terms. The arrest in Lahor Conspiracy Case was his last and most influential that stimulated the conscience of the people of the country and infused revolutionary feelings in the youth of India.
Jatin Das was proficient in the craft of Bomb making. When Bhagat Singh approached him in Calcutta asking him to help the revolutionary in the purpose by teaching them the art of bomb making, he first refused it by saying that his ideology did not allow him to involve in the act of "individual terrorism", but later accepted Bhagat Singh's proposal and joined the revolutionaries in the activities of bomb making and trial explosions. This was the time when Jatin Das came more close to Bhagat Singh considering him the bravest and most influential revolutionary of the time. It is narrated in the incidents associated with the hunger strike that Jatin Das never accepted any medicine or anything given by the doctors not even when the dignitaries of Congress tried to convince him. It was only Bhagat Singh who made him take medicine. When someone asked him why he always accepted Bhagat Singh's proffer, he replied, "You know not how brave he is! I can never refuse his offerings."
Though soft looking from outside , Jatin Das was the toughest among the revolutionaries. He had this firm and immoveable determination that has the tendency the shatter the mountain into pieces. Shiv Verma narrates the words of Jatin Das that he shared with the comrades before setting off the hunger strike. He said, " By declaring this hunger strike, we are jumping into a battle that will be hard to fight, harder even than gunfight. Creeping towards death inch by inch is more difficult than meeting death by the bullet or dying on the gallows. It will be against the dignity of revolutionaries to step back after jumping into the struggle. It is better not to join the struggle, than taking yourself back in the midway." This was the spirit of that great revolutionary, who fought till his last breath and never compromised, not even on the death bed.
Followed by severe infection in the lungs and pneumonia, Jatin Das started losing health.The hunger strike was fatal enough. He was not taking any medicines, not even an injection. His condition was getting worse day be day. Government tried to get rid of him by giving bail and lifting up all the charges against him, but he never accepted the proposal. He was determined to accept it only after demands of the revolutionaries were approved. He died on 13th September 1929. In the very age of 25. His death shocked the nation. Nation mourned his death with great pain and sorrows. He is dead body was taken in train to Calcutta. Every station where the train reached, hordes on countrymen would come and pay him tribute. His cremation was performed in Calcutta. History witnessed gathering of about half a million people. It was the biggest of that time. Jatin Das left his body, but not his determination and revolutionary spirit.