I attended a public meeting at teh Shaheed Udham Singh Centre in Handsworth last Wednesday 21st Nov 2007 “Pakistan In Crisis”. It demanded an end to the state of emergency,
the release the political prisoners and the reinstatement of the constitution. Speakers were Sukhdev Bhomra, President Birmingham Law Society, Cllr Hassan Ahmed, President Pakistan Peoples Party UK who had just returned from Pakistan, Avtar Jouhl, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (GB) and Michael Lavalette, a Preston Respect Councillor. The meeting was chaired by Raghib Ahsan.
The meeting began by congratulating Raghib on his victory in the House of Lords declaration that New Labour was guilty of racism in denying an opportunity to stand for re-election as a Birmingham councillor. Avtar Jouhl then recalled the broad front campaign when the Indian government had declared as state of emergency in 1976 suspending democratic processes. The resulting demonstrations made their point.
Michael Lavalette said that American imperialism under the “war on terror” banner was responsible for the predicament that Pakistan faced. This has followed on from British imperial rule under which Pakistan had been created. He couldn’t see a difference in others contending for power who were similarly linked in with the U.S.
Councillor Ahmed has been on the plane with Benazir Bhutto on her recent return to Pakistan. While he had been handling security up to the arrival, he had handed over responsibility prior to the devastating bombing which had narrowly missed killing her. He disagreed with Michael Lavalette but said that this was a meeting to inform people of the current situation rather than a political rally.
The Pakistan army had always held power in Pakistan, and early on British officers were involved. This is something India had avoided. Throughout its history there had been assassinations of leaders which had never been solved. It was still unclear who was responsible for the attempt on Benazir Bhutto’s life. While the finger was pointed at Al Quaeda it was felt that suspicion could fall elsewhere, including General Musharaf himself.
Sukhdev Bomra described how the Birmingham Law Society stood by the
judiciary in Pakistan who have taken a stand against the imposition of martial law. While Musharaf’s act had been described as a declaration of a state of emergency the constitution had been suspended and the country was under military rule entirely. While lawyers were frequently accused of fleecing the people, in this case they were acting on their behalf.

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Bhagat Singh has been celebrated with a group from the Indian Workers’ Association and the Asian Rationalist Society (Britain) performing a play about his life and achievements. I went to The Drum in Aston to see a film followed by a talk and discussion in which Bhagat Singh’s nephew and nearset living relative, Professor Jagmohan Singh spoke.
I had the privilege of meeting Professor Singh a few day earlier. He clearly embraces Bhagat Singh’s life as a freedom fighter against the injustices of a brutal, oppressive colonial power, and his socialist convictions. The film was very much in the Bollywood tradition with the cast breaking into song and dance routines. Even as Bhagat and his two colleagues approached the gallows we were treated to heroic music and lyrics. Still it communicated a story unknown to many. It was a story which to me transcended a place and time when governments continue imperialist practices and place market forces before equality. Jagmoham Singh was dissatisfied with the presentation however emphassing the omission of important facts. Where were the Muslim freedom fighters who supported Bhagat Singh? This is an important point at a time when among the Indian community stories of enforced conversions to Islam are rife when there are many instances where people form different faiths stood shoulder to shoulder. There are further examples coming from the events of 1857 which are also being celebrated on the 150th anniversary.

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Already there have been protests about the excessive and indiscriminate use of force resulting in the death of civilians. Men, women, children. Now there are said to be around 80 more casualties as a result of the U.S. bombing of a village in the British run Helmand province. This was prompted by an attack by the Taliban on a U.S. convoy.
It seems that any provocation will result in a violent response. Perhaps the enemy realise this since the oft-stated need to win the “battle of hearts and minds” vanishes like water in sand. I would think that British troops in the province are now going to face an even tougher time as a result.

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