পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (প্রথম খণ্ড).pdf/৩০

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ প্রথম খণ্ড

Fazlul Huq's Letter to Liaquat Ali Khan, Secretary, All-India Muslim League, dated 8 September, 1941.

 Early in July Viceroy asked me through my Governor to serve on National Defense Council as Premier of Bengal representing this Province. I assented feeling this to be my duty. I knew I was selected in official capacity as Premier so no objection could possibly arise. I was surprised to read statement from League President as soon as personnel of Council was announced that he considered action of myself and other League members so objectionable that he must consider what action should be taken to express his disapproval of our conduct. I issued statement explaining position and contending that Premiers were selected in official capacity and therefore could not refuse to serve. I thought position was clear and clamour caused by President's statement would subside: but I was amazed to read President's statement dated 30th July declaring that it had been decided to take disciplinary action. There was no ambiguity in language and words used indicated accomplished fact. I maintain this action of President was highly unconstitutional. Despite Madras resolution he should never have done anything without hearing our explanation. I also maintain that his subsequent decision to refer matter to Working Committee was meaningless. Working Committee had no alternative but to endorse President's action as refusal would have amounted to vote of no confidence in President, contingency that Working Committee were not prepared to face. Committee therefore passed resolution calling upon me to resign unconditionally from National Defense Council.

 2. President apparently received communication from Viceroy through Bombay Governor on 21st July intimating Premiers had been approached to serve on Defence Council in certain capacity. Whether we were selected as Premiers or as representative men, President knew of our selection at least one day before names were published. It was his clear duty to inform us by telegram or by telephone of his disapproval and that he would like us to resign from Defense Council, he might even have hinted that if we did not resign he would be obliged to take disciplinary action against us. But instead he waited till names were published and then announced decision to take disciplinary action; even ordinary courtesy required a warning before such announcement. His procedure placed us in extremely awkward position, he gave us an opportunity of explanation and took us unawares as if anxious to make public exhibition of his authority; he thus converted simple affair into complicated political problem.

 3. I maintain that acceptance of membership of Defense Council in no way involves breach of League's principle or policy. League last year rejected Viceroy's offer to form expanded War Council composed of Indian states and representatives of various political parties but Defense Council consists of Indian states and representatives of various Provinces. This makes fundamental difference and membership of Defense Council therefore does not come within mischief of League resolution. Despite President's declaration that we were selected as Muslim representatives, I maintain that we were selected as Premiers. From this point of view also membership of Defense Council does not involve violation of League principles and policy. Further, since outbreak of war, I