Home Critical Analysis/Archives Report on Punjab Disturbances of 1953

THE MAZDOOR

While on the subject of the press, it will be proper to mention two papers, not belonging to the subsidised class, which were treated with extreme indulgence notwithstanding that they gave publicity to grossly indecent literature. One of these is the Mazdoor, published by Abuzar, a son of Maulana Ataullah Shah Bukhari. Even when he applied for a declaration, it was reported that the paper’s activities would be directed against the Ahmadis, and yet the declaration was granted against a security of Rs. 1,000. Who would not welcome another pugilist in the arena against the Ahmadis, and if it came to the forfeiture of security, a helpful note, full of sophistry and unintelligible argument, could always be improvised ? For on the 13th of June 1952, when the paper used the following words in respect of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad —

“ حضرت خليفھ المسی الزانی ۔ یدھا ۔ ھالھ تالا ”

Mir Nur Ahmad recommended a mere warning. He admits that the action suggested was inadequate and betrayed lack of a sense of proportion, but pleaded that this was also the action suggested by the D. I. G.