Political Inmates of Lahore Fort

Resistance against establishment hegemony

The Lahore Fort – also called the ‘Shahi Qila’ (Royal Fort) – was built by Emperor Akbar when he moved his capital to Lahore in 1566. Originally there was a dilapidated mud structure at this location. It is not clear whether the dungeons or torture cells under the main building were built by the Mughal ruler or they already existed in the original design, which were then fortified. However after the partition of the sub-continent the place has had historic importance.

After the first Martial law in October 1958 the fort gained notoriety as Qayyum Khan the most popular Mulsim League leader of the time was lodged there as a political prisoner. He was not alone to face the brute force of the colonial establishment that was unified (Khaki, Qazis, Baboos) and strong. Recently a retired General whom I have interacted with, remarked that the state is like a carriage pulled by four horses. If only one horse is functional then it is bound to gain importance and influence. Though he did not define the other three pullers but I am assuming they were the Siasis, Qazis and the Baboos.

Till the murder of the founding Prime Minister (PM) Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951 all the four horses were doing their best. The slide started when Baboo Ghulam Muhammad managed to become the Governor General replacing the stalwart of the freedom movement, Khawaja Nazimuddin. It was the beginning of the end for the ‘Siasis’ when the Baboos, Khakis and Qazis conspired against them. The dungeons of the ‘Shahi Qila’ was the perfect place to silence all political dissent. But it did not end here, with the martial law the ‘Siasis’ were replaced by new corrupt and subservient leadership, while the Baboos and Qazis were injected with ‘SUSTI’ (lethargy) vaccine from which they have not recovered leaving the Khakis alone to pull the carriage of state.

The political inmates of Lahore Fort represent the resistance against establishment hegemony. It is a sad tale of struggle, sacrifice and unnecessary torture. The dungeons of the ‘Qila’ were used to silence dissent from 1958 to 1986 when the government of PM Muhammad Khan Junejo decided to shut them down hopefully forever. From Qayyum Khan in 1958 to Khawar Naeem Hashmi who was flogged on May 13, 1978 there is a long list of comrades who did not give in. By some estimates close to 500 inmates were kept here during the Zia martial law that included progressive writers, journalists, activists, politicians, students, teachers even females were not spared. Wife of Rana Shaukat Mehmood, a prominent PPP leader was also kept there.

Most of the Fort inmates prayed to be sent back to the prison as their plight was inhuman and intolerable. From flogging to medieval torture methods everything was tried to dampen the will of the inmates. Hashmi Sahib was not alone who was flogged the trio of journalists consisted of Iqbal Jaffri and Nasir Zaidi as well. All three of them are active and alive. Hashmi Sahib is heading a TV channel. It is time to hear about their struggle in the dark days of dictatorship.

In Canada, democracy was once derailed by an elected PM who imposed emergency rule and arrested his opponents. Patrick Watson a journalist launched a complete crusade to drive home the importance of democracy. It was called ‘Struggle for democracy’. Not only a detailed account starting from its birth in the Bazaars of Athens in 525 BC to the 20^th century was recorded and reported. A TV series was also launched. Till humans can develop a better system of statehood democracy remains superior to all other approaches. Over the years the democratic order has been manipulated and controlled by vested interests but it still continues to dominate the civilized world.

The Red Fort or Lal Qila in Delhi was built by Emperor ShahJahan in 1638 when he moved his capital from Agra. There is no recorded history of dungeons and torture cells in this fort. Two capitals, two forts but divided by democracy. Allama Mashriqi and his Khaksars wanted to capture back the forts and re-establish Muslim rule in India as they were opposed both to the partition or Hindu domination of the sub-continent. He failed and two countries emerged. Hindustan for Hindus and Pakistan for Muslims. India moved on leaving ‘Lal Qila’ and its thinking behind while we were struck with the ‘Shahi Qila’ and its approaches.

When Iqbal visited Masjid-e-Qartaba he could hear the silent ‘Azans’. Why have we not been able to hear the wails of torture of the political inmates of the ‘Shahi Qila’ even the wailers have failed to tell their stories? Faiz rightly said ‘Bol Kay Lab Azad Hain Theray’ (Speak out as no one can control your thoughts and words). He remained defiant till the end but even his struggle against state hegemony remains un-recorded and un-reported.

The ‘Magna Carta’ also called the ‘Great Charter of Liberties’ was first enacted by King John of England on June 15, 1215. In 2015 its 800^th anniversary was celebrated. Since then the world has changed. The divine rights of kings to rule has become a thing of the past. Then there was the French Revolution and the Glorious Revolution in UK followed by the American Constitution in 1787. It is time to acknowledge the struggle of the political inmates of the ‘Shahi Qila’ who kept the flame of democracy alight. Perhaps we may need to invite Patrick Watson to report not one but four ‘Struggles for Democracy’ that were successfully raged by our generation for the sake of democracy and rule of law. It may be 800 years too late but the Magna Carta is finally knocking at our doors. Another free and fair election in 2018 or earlier will be a lasting tribute to the political inmates of the Lahore Fort.