Project Reports

MUSLIM Institute organized a Launching Ceremony of Mr. Tariq Ismail Sagar’s book “Separatist Movements in India” on January 25, 2018 at Islamabad. In the first session Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali (Chairman MUSLIM Institute) delivered the opening remarks. Ambassador Ishtiaq H. Andrabi (Former Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Abdullah Gul (DG. MEASAC), Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari (Former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce), Brig. Asif Haroon Raja (Defence Analyst) and Mr. Rana Abdul Baqi (Columnist & Editor) shared their views. In the second session H. H. Nawab Jahangir Khanji (Nawab of Junagadh), Tariq Ismail Sagar (Author of the Book), Brig. (R) Akhtar Nawaz Janjua (Defence Analyst) and Mr. Ahmad Qureshi (Senior Anchor Person) shared their views in the second session of the ceremony. Mr. Asif Tanveer Awan Advocate (Research Associate, MUSLIM Institute) moderated the proceedings of the seminar. Academicians, students, researchers, analysts, journalists and people from different walks of life participated in the ceremony.

Speakers expressed following views on the occasion;

Book writing is not an easy venture, it is a painstaking effort to gather facts, carry out research and then compile it into the shape of a Book. Literary people, poets, writers, novelists, are strength of any society, who provide positive impetus to the society. Selection of the subject by Mr. Sagar is very important. It is indeed a matter of concern to see on one hand interest in reading is receding and on the other hand the trend of writing books on India to expose its true face is also on the decline. We must not lose sight of the fact that India has not reconciled to the emergence of Pakistan and after dividing it into two in 1971, it is again conspiring to further disintegrate it. In Urdu language there is a small number of good books which are written on important subjects, most of them are written on politics which encompasses only the internal matters of Pakistan whereas regional and international affairs are paid less attention.

From Gandhi to Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, India has been trying to portray itself as a minority friendly country and continuously trying to tell the world and specially to the Middle-East that India is a Muslim friendly country. But the demolition of Babri Mosque and rule of BJP in India has exposed the extremist Hindu mentality and eye brows have been raised around the world.

The topic picked by Tariq Ismail Sagar has great importance. Most of the separatist movements in India have been going on since 1947 and these movements are wider aspect of two-nation theory, because two nation theory was based on the notion that there are more than one nation living in India and Muslims need a separate homeland based on their cultural, social and religious beliefs. The separatist movements which are underway, demand their basic rights, which Indian government is denying. This was the worry of Quaid-e-Azam that if we stay in unified India, our rights would be usurped.

“Separatists Movements in India” is an interesting book, in which author has described a complete context of separatist movements in India. He has not only discussed all movements in detail, but also quoted the references. Consciously or sub-consciously, Tariq Ismail Sagar’s all 64-65 books have a centre stage for Pakistan. Pakistan is a great gift from Almighty Allah and whosoever has been associated himself with Pakistan, Allah has given him huge success. Our print and electronic media should play a pivotal role in perception management. India has been successful in portraying itself as a victim of terrorism and Pakistan as safe haven for terrorist outfits. In this war of propaganda India is shining and declaring Pakistan as threat to peace and civilization. After the fall of Dhaka in 1971, India has published 250 books to save its evil face and to portray Pakistani armed forces responsible for the act. India has been successful in this propaganda due to our reconciliation policy and few of our writers succumbing to the Indian and western narrative. Negative portrayal of Pakistan has been on the rise since 9/11 with the nexus of India, Israel, few factions of Afghanistan and USA. Tariq Ismail Sagar has laid down the complete point of view in front of us, that a country is constantly trying to frame us as terrorist state and alleging that separatist movements are in underway in Pakistan. All the active terrorists in Baluchistan have been trained in India and Pakistani armed forces are fighting against them in FATA, Baluchistan and Karachi. This awareness is necessary for us to develop policies. Why have we zipped our lips on this issue and why are we afraid to raise these Indian intrigues at international forums. It is our responsibility to speak up, we live in a free environment because of this country and we have to defend it.

Tariq Ismail Sagar is in fact a sort of a think tank who has been continuously playing its part for peace in Pakistan. All the major world powers advance themselves on the directions of their think tanks. Efforts of Mr. Sagar are valuable for Pakistan because his purpose is to enlighten the nation. Tariq Ismail Sagar’s effort is really commendable, because he has discussed the past controversies and all the current movements. Every Pakistani and our rulers can benefit from this effort of Traiq Ismail Sagar.

Mr. Sagar has analysed in depth the history, ideology, operations of all these separatist movements and also explained their impact on Indian security and its internal state of affairs. This book is more than just a compilation of facts but a detailed analysis. Anyone who wants to do research on political scenario of India, this book is an authentic reference for him. Tariq Ismail Sagar pointed out that Indian social system based on four cast system is founded on inequality, intolerance and religious extremism, where Brahmans have an iron clad grip over rest of the people therefore so many insurgencies are taking place. Moreover, in India there are well over hundred of terrorist groups but none has been blacklisted.

Government of Pakistan should arrange English translation of this book and launch it in Washington as well as in the capitals of our neighbouring countries. Pakistan has the capacity to clarify its narrative at international level and have the people of such calibre and likeminded people join their hands for this purpose.