SINDH MUSLIM LEAGUE AND ITS ACTIVITIES (1937-1947) AS RECORDED AND REPORTED BY SINDH GOVERNMENT.
[This information consists of reports sent by the Home Department of Sindh to the Government of India. Reference has been given at the end of every entry. Dr.Pathan.
Part One
1. The members of the "Sind Provincial Muslim League"- which has for its members those Muslims who are opposed to the present ministry have been active during the fortnight, touring the province and established branches of the League in the mofussil. At one place the party was hustled in its endeavours to hold a public meeting in the local mosque and was eventually compelled to convene the meeting elsewhere. Sheikh Abdul Majid Lilaram, M.L.A., a member of the League, has left for Delhi en route for Calcutta to attend the meeting of the All-India Muslim League at the latter place and to persuade Mr. M.A.Jinnah and Moulanas Shaukat Ali and Hasrat Mohani to visit Sind in order "to organise the League and consolidate unity amongst the Muslim members of the Sind Assembly."[Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 7th March 1938 Fortnightly report for the Second half of February 1938].
2. Propaganda by the Sind Provincial Muslim League against the present ministry still continues but is now being met by counter-propaganda by the supporters of the ministry, and the League's attempts to raise the cry of "Islam in danger" have met with very little success. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th May 1938 Fortnightly report for the First half of May1938].
3. Branches of the Muslim League were formed in several places, namely, Tatta, district Karachi, Ghotki, district Sukkur, Mohabat Tunio, district Larkana, Mirokhan, district Larkana and Matiari, district Hyderabad, with a view to counteract the Congress propaganda. It is reported that Maulana Said Ahmed, Secretary, Jamiat-ul-Ulemai Sind, Delhi, proposes to visit Sind in September 1938, in order to carry on propaganda against the Muslim League. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 10th June 1938 Fortnightly report for the Second half of May1938].
4. The events of the fortnight were overshadowed by the Conference of the Muslim League, which commenced at Karachi on the 8th October and continued till the 12th October. A number of distinguished Muslims from various parts of India attended the Conference, prominent amongst whom were the Premiers of Bengal and the Punjab, Moulana Shaukat Ali, the Raja of Mahmudabad, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan and Sir Currimbhoy Ibrahim. A rousing reception was accorded to Mr. M. A. Jinnah, President-elect, on his arrival at Karachi on the 7th October. A number of social function were organised in his honour and addresses were presented to him by the Karachi Municipal Corporation and the Karachi District Local Board. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th October 1938 Fortnightly report for the First half of October 1938].
5. Scenes of great enthusiasm were witnessed during the session of the Conference. An impassioned appeal for Muslim unity and vehement denunciation of the Congress formed the main features of Mr.Jinnah's presidential address. His sentiments were echoed by most of the visitors from outside Sind, while the local leaders of the Muslim League spoke mainly on the political situation in Sind and attacked the Ministry in very strong terms. The 'frontier policy of the Government of India, the liquidation of the Barrage debt and the Palestinian affairs were some of the other subjects discussed at the Conference. Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th October 1938 Fortnightly report for the First half of October 1938].
6. During his stay at Karachi, Mr. Jinnah met all the prominent Muslims in Sind, including most of the Muslim members of the Legislative Assembly. He had prolonged conversations with the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister on the political situation, but owing to fundamental differences, the negotiations for forming a Muslim League Ministry broke down. The statements made by Mr. Jinnah and the Chief Minister in regard to these proceedings have already appeared in the press. The Conference has widened the gulf between the Ministerialist and the Opposition parties, and although the storm has passed for the present, the Ministry is likely to have a very difficult time during the ensuing session of the Legislative Assembly. Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th October 1938 Fortnightly report for the First half of October 1938].
7. Mr. Jinnah left Karachi on the 16th October for a tour in the districts and is expected to return to Karachi on the 20th October en route to Bombay. Source No. P-25-h(s)/38, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th October 1938 Fortnightly report for the First half of October 1938].
8. A proposal to introduce joint electorates in Sind is being vigorously opposed by the local Muslim League and it has also condemned the action of the Bombay Government in allowing Muslims to be fired upon on 1st August. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 16th August 1939 Fortnightly report for the First half of August 1939].
9. The Sukkur Manzilgah continues to cause anxiety. The threatened picketing of the residences of the Ministers (excepting the Chief Minister) did not take place, mainly because of the Ordinance mentioned in my last report, but also because there appears to be a split among the Muslim agitators, the extremists among them having no liking for negotiations on any terms with the Ministry. Propaganda both in the Press and on the platform continues. It is assuming a violent tone- speakers and writers on both sides adopting a communal attitude and trying to give the dispute an all-India aspect. For instance, Mr. Shamdas P. Gidwani at an Arya Samaj meeting held in Karachi on the 15th October moved a resolution protesting against the illegal occupation of the Manzilgah and urging the Hindu Maha Sabha to depute an Enquiry Committee to investigate into the conditions of Hindus in the Provinces of Sind, Bengal and the Punjab. Similarly Muslim leaders have appealed to the Muslim League in other Provinces for moral support. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 3rd November 1939 Fortnightly report for the Second half of October 1939].
10. Political activity during the fortnight has been enlivened by the brisk preparations of the Muslim League to celebrate the All-India "Deliverance Day", which is to be held on the 22nd December throughout Sind. It has been decided that Muslims all over the Province should be asked to go en masse for prayers on Friday, the 22nd December, and public meetings should be held after the juma prayers at which two resolutions, the next of which has been prepared in advance, should be passed. Every Muslims has been asked to offer prayers of thanksgiving to God on that day for delivering the country from the oppressive and unjust rule of the Congress. The second resolution mentions the anti-Muslim policy of the Congress, which failed to safeguard the rights and interests of Muslims and other minorities. Mention in the resolution has also been made of Muslim opinion being flouted at every turn by the Congress Ministries during their unjust rule of two and a half years. It is learnt that Sir Haji Abdullah Haroon has instructed workers of the Sind Muslim League to call a meeting at Karachi on the 22nd December in connection with this movement. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 22nd December 1939 Fortnightly report for the First half of December 1939].
11.The Muslim and Hindu Press in Sind continue to fan the flames of communalism by publishing articles likely to excite communal feelings. Hindu for instance started wild rumours that Muslims were disintering the bones of the dead from grave yards and were reburying them within the precincts of the Manzilgah while. Muslim papers appealed to their brethren not buy food from Hindu shops as a Hindu had been caught cooking pork, Agitation carried on in the press by Muslims characterises the Hindus as narrow-minded, cowardly and mean. One paper goes on to say " the Hindus should use their own commonsense and realize that eventually they have to live in Sind by sucking the blood of Muslims". According to reports from Sukkur the Hindus are jubilant over the promulgation of the Sind Ordinance. Some Muslim agitators on the contrary consider the Ordinance as a challenge and are inclined to treat it with defiance, while others think that it is a game of blutt and will remain a dead letter. The Pir of Bharchundi is annoyed with Moulvi Abdul Hamid editor of "Alminar" of Sukkur for reporting that the Pir had decided to withdraw himself and his men from the Manzilgah agitation. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 3rd November 1939 Fortnightly report for the Second half of October 1939].
12.The Hindus have further started an agitation against the separation of Sind from Bombay and an attempt is being made to induce the authorities to rescind the order of separation and to reunite the two provinces. They say that they have suffered in the judicial, Public Works, Police and other Government departments in the Judicial, public Works, Police and other Government departments in which the rights of Hindus have been completely ignored although there is a standing order that 50 per cent. of posts are to be given to non-Muslims. Men and money are being collected for propaganda to get Sind reunited with Bombay. As a counter move it is understood that Haji Sir Abdullah Haroon is requesting His Excellency the Viceroy that Sind be joined to the Punjab if as a separate province it cannot stand on its own legs. It is said that Mr.M.A. Jinnah is to accompany Sir Abdullah Haroon on this mission. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 22nd December 1939 Fortnightly report for the First half of December 1939].
13. At a Muslim meeting at Ghouspur, Upper Sind Frontier District, Muhammad Saleh "Ajiz" made a strong communal and anti-British speech in which he urged the Muslim not to enlist in the Army, or to help the British in any way, as the latter intend to wage war against the Turks. He added that British rule was doomed, and urged the audience to pray to the Almighty that the British tyranny may end. The prosecution of his man has been ordered. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 22nd December 1939 Fortnightly report for the First half of December 1939].
14. A deputation of the All-India Muslim League visited the province form the 26th May and during their stay of a week toured through various places accompanied by members of the local Muslim League. A fervent appeal for Muslim unity and a scathing denuciation of the Congress and its policy formed the main features of the visitors' speechs. Gandhi was rated as working against Muslims in consort with the Imperial power and the Congress demand for a Constituent Assembly was declared to be wrong in principal. The fate of the Muslims in India was alleged to be no better than that of the Arabs in Palestine and Muslims were urged to seek emancipation in the fold of the Muslim League. The view was also expressed that the Congress High Command was riding for a fall and a suggestion was made that the Government of India should appoint an international commission to report on the allegations made against the Congress Ministers. The anti-Nizam agitation, the conquest of Albania by Italy and affairs in Palestine were some of the other subjects referred to and condemned by the visitors while the local leaders of the Muslim League spoke mainly on the political situation in the province and attacked the Ministry in very strong terms. A foreign office of the All-India League has been opened at Karachi. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 30th June 1939 Report on the political situation for May/June 15th.
15. As a counter-blast to the activities of the Muslim League, the opponents of the League convened the "First Provincial Ahrar Political Conference" which was held from the 9th to the 11th June, the attendance numbering about two thousand persons each day. The burden of the speeches was an eulogium of the present Ministry, a vehement condemnation of the Muslim League and its supporters - particularly Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan and M.A. Jinnah - as having pro British tendencies and an appeal for co-operation with the Congress so long as it worked for the freedom of India. "[Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 30th June 1939 Report on the political situation for May/June 15th].
16. "Deliverance Day" was observed in Karachi by offering prayers in the various mosques. Sir Haji Abdullah Haroon presided at a meeting organized on the occasion by the Sind Provincial Muslim League, Karachi, where resolutions drafted by the All-India Muslim League for the "Deliverance Day" were passed. There was no disturbance and not much interest was aroused by the proceedings. In Sukkur, observance of the Day was prohibited by the District Magistrate. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 13th January 1940 Fortnightly report for the Second half of December 1939].
17. The Sind Muslim League are believed to have asked Mr. M.A. Jinnah to expedite the enquiry on behalf of the League into the Manzilgah affair, since the Congress enquiry has been finished. Workers of the League also contemplate visiting the affected areas in Sukkur District to enquire into the alleged police atrocities in the villages. They intend to assist the Muslim accused in defending the charges brought against them, and to provide some financial relief also. It is understood that the North West Frontier Muslim League have informed the Sind Muslim Leaguers that since the Congress Relief Committee has already started work, anything done by the League would look "sham and imitation". They have, however, persuaded a young lawyer, Sajad Ahmed Jan of Abbotabad, to go to Sukkur and appear gratis on behalf of the Muslim in the cases there. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th January 1940 Fortnightly report for the First half of January 1940].
18. Ali Muhammad Rashidi, Secretary, Foreign Sub-Committee of the All-India Muslim League, who is at Lahore at present, saw the Honourable Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, the premier of the Punjab, in connection with the Sukkur Manzilgah affair, and has asked Khan Bahadur M.A. Khuhro, M.L.A., to visit Lahore to interview the Punjab Premier. It is learnt that Mr. Hassanally, Barrister-at-Law, who is an Assistant Public Prosecutor, has offered his services free to the Muslims who are accused of offences in connection with the Sukkur riots. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 18th January 1940 Fortnightly report for the First half of January 1940].
19. At a meeting of the local Muslim League held at Hyderabad, resolutions were passed recording a sense of disapproval at the attitude of the Speakers, the Hon'ble Sayed Miran Muhammad Shah, who saved the Allah Bakhsh Ministry by a casting vote, and demanding his resignation. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 19th March1940 Fortnightly report for the First half of March 1940].
20. The Karachi District Muslim League Conference, referred to in paragraph 3 of my last fortnight letter, has been postponed sine die. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 19th March1940 Fortnightly report for the First half of March 1940].
21. On arrival at Larkana, Kazi Fazlullah, one of the leaders who were arrested under the Ordinance on account of the Manzilgah agitation, was received at the station by about eight hundred Muslims who welcomed and garlanded him. Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 4th March 1940 Fortnightly report for the Second half of February 1940].
22. The Secretary, Sind Provincial Muslim League, has appealed to the Muslim public and the branches of the Leagues in Sind to protest against the proposed extension of the Sind Frontier Regulation to Sukkur District. Leaflets regarding the Manzilgah entitled "The Truth about the Manzilgah. My interview with His Excellency", over the signature of T.D Chatlani of the Union Shrine Agency, and by Shamsulhaq regarding the Muslim demands in relation to the Manzilgah were sold in Karachi for one pice each. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 4th March 1940 Fortnightly report for the Second half of February 1940].
23. It is understood that Sir Abdullah Haroon, M.L.A., (Central), President of the Provincial Moslem League, has written to the Honble' Khan Bahadur M.A. Khuhro, Minister for Public Works Department, the Hon'ble Shaikh Abdul Majid, Finance Minister, and the Hon'ble Mr. G.M. Sayed, Education Minister, calling upon them to resign from the Ministry on the grounds that they have accepted joint electorates and failed to give adequate relief to the families of Muslims arrested in connection with the Sukkur riots. Sir Abdullah Haroon has also emphasized that Muslim Leaguers Premier. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 10th July 1940 Fortnightly report for the Second half of June 1940].
24. The Sind Provincial Muslim League held at the residence of Sir Abdullah Haroon, M.L.A. (Central), passed the following resolutions:- No members of the Muslim League should participate in the War Committees appointed by Government till a settlement was reached between Mr. Jinnah and His Excellency the Viceroy branches of the Muslim National Guard should be established in various parts of Sind, the second Sind Provincial Muslim League Conference should be held at Larkana from 15th to 17th November and the Honble's Sir Sikander Hayat Khan, K.B.E., should be asked to preside over it. According to certain newspapers, Mr. Jinnah was expected to visit Karachi on the 26th of July. He was also expected to visit Sukkur . Great misgivings were expressed in the Hindu press over the proposed visit of Mr. Jinnah. It was said that his visit in the present circumstance would exacerbate communal feeling and increase lawlessness. There were appeals to Governmen to ban Mr. Jinnah's visit. Mr. Jinnah it is however, understood, had no intention to visit Sind. Mr. M.H.Gazdar, M.L.A., Financial Secretary of the All-India Pakistan Conferenc, invited Professor Muhammad Inayatullah, Professor Dildar Khan and Haji Amiruddin Serai to discuss matters in connection with the Pakistan scheme. A provisional committee consisting of Kazi Muhammad Mujtaba, Ghulam Rabani, Haji Fazal Hassan and Din Muhammad Khatib, has been formed to organize an Azad Muslim Jamait in Karachi as a counterblast to the Muslim League. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 5th August 1940 Fortnightly report for the Second half of July 1940].
25. Fresh branches of the Muslim League were opened at two places in Thar Parkar district. The main policy of the Muslim Leagues in Sind at present is to express faith in the present Ministry while at the same time urging them to restore the Manzilgah to the Muslims. .[Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 7th June 1940. Fortnightly Report for the second half of May1940].
26. The Sind Provincial Muslim League has received instruction from the All-India Muslim League to observe "Pakistan Day" on 19th April 1940, by organizing meetings, etc. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 20th April 1940. Fortnightly Report for the First half of April 1940].
27. It is learnt that Mr. Jinnah is of opinion that the Sukkur Manzilgah affair should be placed before the Working Committee of the All-India Muslim League, and that the investigating authority in this connection should be appointed by the Working Committee, though nothing could prevent the Nawab of Mamdot or Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim Bart., who were said to be about to hold an enquiry, from doing so their own account. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 2nd February 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of January 1940].
28. Mr. Ali Muhammad Rashidi, Secretary Foreign Sub-Committee of the All-India Muslim League, Lahore, is making efforts to secure the services of law-years from the Punjab to defend Muslims charged with rioting with at Sukkur. He has suggested to the Muslims in Jail with food and clothing. In order to collect funds it is proposed to send two or three deputations on a tour of India. Rashidi is afraid that if adequate collections for the sufferers in the Sukkur riots are not made, it would have a bad effect on the league's influence. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 2nd February 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of January 1940].
29. Mahbub Ali Shah, Secretary, Muslim League Relief Committee, Sukkur, has sent a disappointing report to the Sind Provincial Muslim League regarding collections towards the Relief Fund. The amount collected seems to be Rs.1,019 and the expenditure to date is more than 700. Shaikh Abdul Majid, M.L.A., Secretary, Sind Provincial Muslim League has issued an appeal for the sale-proceeds of the skins of animals sacrificed on Bakri Idd day to be credited to the Provincial Muslim League Sukkur Relief Fund. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 2nd February 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of January 1940].
30. In pursuance of the appeal of the appeal of the Sind Provincial Muslim League, the local Young Men's Muslim League organised a public meeting Karachi on the 1st November to observe "Muslim Countries Day". Prayers for the preservation of Islamic territories were offered and various resolutions were passed expressing sympathy with the Muslims in Egypt, Siam, Palestine and Turkey and assuring them of support in the event of external aggression. The Pakistan scheme was supported and also the resolutions of the All-India Muslim- League withdrawing the restriction in regard to the to the participation of Muslim in the war. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the allotment of seats to Muslims on the Viceroy's Executive Council and the Advisory War Council Another meeting of Muslim attended by about a thousand persons was held at Larkana on Id day to condemn the activities of Hitler and to urge Muslim to support the British Government. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 21th November 1940. Fortnightly Report for the First half of November 1940].
31. There has been no noticeable activity of the Muslims League. November 1st was observed as a day of sympathy for Muslim countries and prayers were offered in different parts of the province for the preservation of Muslim territories. The Jamait-ul-Ulema, Sind, has condemned the murders of Hindus and deplored the alleged weak policy of the Sind Government. The Jamait has also strongly protested against the arrest of the Pir of Bharchundi and urged the Government to release him forthwith. The arrest of the Pir of Bharchundi, which was quietly received in the beginning, is now causing some resentment. Meetings have been held at a few places protesting against his arrest and demanding his trial. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 6th November 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of October 1940].
32. The visit of Professor Inayatullah, President of Majlis-i Millia Pakistan, to Karachi aroused considerable enthusiasm in Muslim League circles. Three public meeting were held in Karachi between the 16th and the 24th September and were well attended. Mr. M.H. Gazdar, M.L.A., presided at two of these meeting. The main speaker was Professor Inayatullah. He stated in his speeches that Islamic culture first entered India through Sind and deplored the fact that Province was now the most backward in India. For this he blamed the local Muslim leaders. He explained at length the circumstances in which the Pakistan scheme had been adopted by the Muslim League. He observed that the politics of Hindus were confined to Indian affairs while the politics of Muslims were international. Indian Muslims had to bear in mind the effect of their policy on Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran and Egypt. He stated that the Muslim League desired that there should be three Muslim states in India, Pakistan comprising Punjab, North-West frontier Province, Baluchistan and Kashmir, Bangistan comprising Bengal and Assam and Usmanistan comprising the Hyderabad state, and suggested that these three states should then federate. He deplored the distinction between Sindhi Muslims and non-Sindhi Muslims as un-Islamic and suggested that if Sindhi Muslims were not available for appointments, they should go to Muslims of other Provinces and not to non-Muslims. A Pakistan Fund has been started and donations have been invited. A meeting of the Provincial Muslims League is to be held at Nawabshah on the 4th of October. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 7th October 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of September 1940].
33. The Working Committee of the Sind Provincial Muslim League met at Nawabshah on the 4th October under the presidentship of Sir Abdullah Haroon, M.L.A. (Central). It issued a long statement reviewing the present political condition in Sind and suggesting its causes and remedies. While admitting that there were murders and dacoities in Sind, the statement goes to say that the ordinary crime rate in Sind is not high as in certain other provinces of India, and that the recent murders etc., have been given undue publicity by the Hindu press. The Committee strongly condemned the assaults on Hindu n the Rohri Division, but observed that these were acts a gang of irresponsible persons. The Committee were of the opinion that the obstructive policy of the Hindu parties in the Assembly which have not allowed any Ministry to function without fear of being overthrow and the poverty and indebteness of the Muslim masses for whom ameliorative measures could not be passed on account of the attitude of the Hindu parties in the Assembly, were mainly responsible for the present state of affairs. The Committee expressed the opinion that the Hindus desired to seek annulment of the separation of Sind, which they had always opposed for communal and political reasons. The Committee empowered the President to invite the leading Hindu organization of Sukkur to co-operate with him in his efforts for appeasement. A sub-committee consisting of Mr. M.H. Gazdar, M.L.A., and six other members was appointed to enquire into the alleged repressive policy of the District Magistrates in some districts. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 19th October 1940. Fortnightly Report for the First half of October 1940].
34. Sir Abdullah Haroon, M.L.A. (Central), President, Sind Provincial Muslim League, Karachi, has issued an appeal to all the branches of the Muslim League in Sind to unite and to spread the Muslim League views among the masses. He suggest organising fortnightly meetings to discuss the political situation. He has also invited the opinion of the various branches of the Muslim League on the conduct of the present members of the Sind Legislative Assembly. [Source Government of Sind Home Department (Special) No. P-25-H(S)/40. Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 3rd September 1940. Fortnightly Report for the Second half of August 1940].
35. The local Muslim League held a meeting at Bathi Hakra, Larkana district, at which resolutions were passed urging the authorities to expedite the disposal of the Sukkur riot cases and to release the accused persons pending trial, and expressing full confidence in Shaikh Abdul Majid Lilaram, M.L.A., who has been taking active interest in this matter, and in the newspaper “ Al Wahid”, which is the Muslim League organ, and the editor of which is being prosecuted under Section 153-A, Indian Penal Code. [Source No. P-25-h(s)/37, Home Department (Special), Sind Secretariat, Karachi, 19th March 1940 Fortnightly report for the first half of March 1940].
