পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (প্রথম খণ্ড).pdf/৩১

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ প্রথম খণ্ড

have been taking keenest interest in promoting war efforts and using official and non- official position to induce people of Bengal to cooperate in support thereof. Hitherto President has not expressed disapproval of my extensive activities in aid of war efforts but has even allowed prominent Muslim League leaders to act likewise throughout India.

 4. Having regard to my provincial war activities my membership of Defense Council pales into insignificance; I consider it absurd that I should be called upon to non-cooperate with Government of India at centre.. On merits I maintain President's action ratified by Working Committee was unjustified. I do not admit that my acceptance of membership of Council has disapproval of majority of Muslim community of India or of Bengal Muslims. Outside Province there is large volume of public opinion in my favor. President's action throughout has been unfair and unconstitutional and I have done nothing contrary to interests of Muslim community: charge that by accepting membership of Council I have created a situation which may lead to split in ranks of Muslim India is baseless. I therefore find no justification for resiling from my original decision to stick to membership of Council despite view of President and Working Committee.

 5. But there are other matters to be taken into consideration. President's indiscreet and hasty announcement creating feeling in Muslim minds that we have accepted membership of Council from personal interests or to oblige high officials has produced most baneful consequences. Very few of present generation of Muslim politicians know services I have rendered to League of Muslim Community, without wishing to be boastful I have no cause to be ashamed of my record as a leader in cause of Islam and Indian Muslims. I emphatically declare that I am not being hampered in any way by high officials from exercising my independent judgment. I have been faced by embarrassing dilemma. I feel I ought to adhere to Council, but I also feel that continuance, therein especially after other Premiers have vacated their seats would lead to split in ranks of Indian Muslims. In such event I would be held responsible for situation and responsibility may also be thrown on other personage who have not had slightest desire to interfere in these matters but whose detachment is not within knowledge of public.

 6. In these circumstances I feel that no useful purpose would be served by my being member of National Defense Council; I am therefore going to request Viceroy through Governor to give me leave to tender resignation. In taking this step I have had before me sole desire to avoid conflict in ranks not merely of Muslim League but also of Indian Muslim community. My reason for resignation thus differs from Sir Sikanders. He alleged to have resigned because he felt convinced he had acted under misconception of facts. I resign because though convinced I was right in accepting membership of Council, my continuance therein would jeopardize interests of community. Sir Sikander feels he was wrong and has rectified mistake; I feel I was right but cannot continue member in view of possible consequences. I am thus deliberately accepting position which militates against my own judgment, in desire to avoid greater evil of domestic feud at time when we should close our ranks for great task ahead of defending best interests of community and country.

 7. I protest emphatically against manner in which Bengal and Punjab Muslim interests are being imperiled by Muslim leaders of Minority Provinces'. Muslim brethren in minority provinces can never hope to enjoy effective voice in administration let alone