By Shahed Ali

Sylhet was a district of Assam. The district was famous for paddy, tea, cement, fish, limestone, sand, gravel and bolder. Who doesn’t know the taste of Sylhet’s orange and pineapple ( Joldubi Anaras)? The Shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R), Madhabkundo waterfall, Jaflong and the sights of tea garden hugely attract people. Sylhet used to dominate Assam, Shilong secretariat was basically controlled by Sylhetis. Sylhet played a key role in Pakistan movement. We joined Pakistan movement with the hope that the whole Assam including Sylhet will be a part of Pakistan. Muslims were the single largest community in Assam. If indigenous people were not counted Hindus were minority in Assam. Assam is consisted of two valleys. Surma Valley was dominated by Muslims. In the Assam valley non-Muslims including different indigenous groups and lower cast Hindus were majority. Boalpara district of Assam was a Muslim-dominated area. Dhubri was also a strong-hold of Muslims. We had the belief that Bangladesh and Assam would form the eastern part of Pakistan or the greater Bangadesh. But Mountbatten Plan ceded Assam to India. And whether Sylhet would join Pakistan would be determined by referendum. North-west frontier of Sylhet and Sylhet district was Muslim-dominated area. We had no doubt that the whole Sylhet along with Hailakandi and Silchar would be included in Sylhet. But the declaration of referendum put the Sylhetis to the big test. The call for referendum went off in Sylhet.

Initially Mountbatten’s declaration came as a shock for Sylhetis but they soon prepared themselves for the new test. Although Hindus in Sylhet were minority they were very influential and rich. Deoband Maolana Sayyid Hussain Ahmad Madani had a deep influence on local Muslims. He didn’t support idea of Pakistan. His party Jamiat Ulama-i Hind lent support to Congress.

The call for referendum created a sensation not only in the Sylhet region but also in Assam and Bangladesh. Thousands of activists of Muslim League and student members of Muslim National Guard from schools, colleges and universities spread over Sylhet. Many leaders and activists arrived from various parts of India. The Muslim League office was located at Sheikh Ghat in the town. Campaign method was decided at the office. Groups of activists were sent in different areas. Wherever they went they found enthusiastic response from local people who themselves were carrying out campaign for Pakistan. It was surprising. How come such an awakening occurred to these fishermen, peasants and illiterate villagers.

 

Translated by ABM Shamsud Doza

This is part of Shahed Ali’s autobiography Jibankatha which was published by Baatighar in November 2019.