Saquib Salim

The decade of 1920’s is often remembered as a period when the British got considerable success in dividing Hindus and Muslims of India. After witnessing their combined strength during the Khilafat Movement, Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha and Non-Cooperation Movement the British were terrified and started creating gulf between the two communities. From this time, Muslims started looking at Hindu leadership with suspicion and began drifting away. At this time in 1927 Ashfaqullah Khan walked down the gallows as a revolutionary member of Hindustan Republican Association and a part of the famous Kakori Conspiracy Case. Though it seems another of many glorious sacrifices made by the Indians fighting the British what makes his martyrdom special is the fact that it reinforced the Hindu-Muslim unity at a time when it was needed the most

Ram Prasad Bismil, mentor and friend of Ashfaqullah notes the contribution of his martyrdom in his jail diary in golden words. He writes; 

“I am content at the fact that you (Ashfaqullah Khan) have made me proud in front of the whole world. In glorious chapters of Indian history it will be recorded in golden words that Ashfaqullah Khan took part in the revolutionary movement and sacrificed his life for the country. Nobody could move you from your resolve of serving the nation. Even after the arrest you remained firm to your duty. Not only physically strong, you also proved to be mentally brave and a man of high spirituality. This led to your conviction as my lieutenant in the court and judge awarded you with a glorious noose around your neck. Dear brother, you will be happy to know that the person who sacrificed his family wealth in service of the nation, who gifted his own bright future to the nation, who sacrificed his everything and ultimately embraced martyrdom, he has also sacrificed his best friend Ashfaqullah for the mother nation.

Asghar hariim-e-ishq me hasti hi jurm hai

Rakhna kabhi na paanv yaha sar liye hue

   (O Asghar ! Existence is a crime in the house of love

Don’t enter it with your head on your shoulders)”

The sacrifice made by Ashfaqullah Khan worked as cement to unite the two religious groups in India. This sacrifice still bears a lesson for us and teaches the importance of a united India.

 (The writer is a historian and writer. The translation of jail diary is from Hindi original by the author)