agreement and consent of the units entering into the federal scheme of their own free will and accord.
The only solution for the Muslims of india, which will stand the test of trial and time, is that India should be partitioned so that both the communities can develop freely and fully according to their own genious economically, socially, culturally and politically. The struggle is for the fullest opportunities and for the expression of the Muslim national will. The vital contest in which we are engaged is not only for the material gain but also for the very existence of the soul of Muslim nation. Hence I have said often that it is a matter of life and death to the Mussalmans and is not a counter for bargaining. Muslims have become fully conscious of this. If we lose in the struggle, all is lost. Let our motto be, as the Dutch proverb says:
Money is lost nothing is lost,
Courage is lost much is lostj,
Hon our is lost most is lost,
Soul is lost all is lost.
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Message to the General Secretary Aligarh Muslim Students Federation
New Delhi, December 6, 1941
I am glad to learn that Aligarh Muslim students’ Federation is going to start its own paper, the first issue of which is coming out on 8th December 1941.
As for the message, I would refer you to my Lahore speech at the sessions of the All-India Muslim League:
I have placed before you the task that lies ahead of us. Do you realize how big and stupendous it is? Do you realize that you cannot get freedom or independence by mere arguments? I should appeal to the intelligentsia. The intelligentsia in all countries in the world have been pioneers of all movements for freedom. What does the Muslim intelligentsia propose to do? I may tell you that unless you get this into your blood, unless you are prepared to take off your coats and are willing to sacrifice all that you can and work selflessly, earnestly and sincerely for your people you will never realize your aim.
I wish you all success in your venture and hope that your paper will be a medium for the uplift of the Mussalmans generally and of the intelligentsia in particular.
Presidential Address at Fifth Annual
Session of Ml India Muslim Students’
Federation Nagpur, December 26, 1941
Members of the All-India Muslim students’ Federation , ladies and gentlemen!
Although I find a large gathering of my young friends there is also a fairly large gathering of non- students. As I hinted last night, my chief object is to address particularly my young friends. The All-India Muslim Students’ Federation was started about four or five years ago and, I would, my young friends, draw your attention in the first instance’ to your constitution. The aims and objects of your constitution, which you must always keep in front of you and faithfully and loyally abide by, are to organize the Muslim students of India into a corporate body through provincial autonomous units and safeguard the interests of the Muslim student community. You know that the Muslim student community has at times, and particularly in these days, got to safeguard their own interests. You may have many complaints. You may have many grievances. But it is by being in a corporate body that you can have your grievances redressed. I find that you have in that direction made many efforts and you had to face many troubles. That is one of your aims and objects.
Secondly, your aim is also to rouse the political consciousness amongst the Muslim students and to
prepare them to take their proper share in the struggle for the freedom of the country. It is because of this that 1 have accepted the honour of presiding over your session today. It is because of this that I want to tell you what are the issues in front of you. I want to tell you that in the language of your own constitution, namely, to prepare you to take your proper share in the struggle for the freedom of your country. And, as such, let me shortly tell you that you will grow, and grow still more. You must remember that I have repeatedly said that you are not expected to take active part in the political developments that are taking place from day to day, from week to week and from month to month; your primary duty to yourselves, to your parents and to your nation is that you concentrate your attention on your studies while you are students. Remember that if you fritter away your precious and valuable time in other activities, while you are students, that time frittered away, that time wasted, will never come back. But, while that is your primary duty to yourselves, to your parents and to your nation, at the same time you must keep yourselves abreast of the political, social and economic development in the country — not only in this country but the world at large. It is for this reason that I have always willingly accepted any invitation from the gathering of Muslim students.
Now, with regard to your domestic affairs how you should devise ways and means of further consolidating your organization and creating solidarity and unity among the Muslim students all over India. You will, I have no doubt, apply your mind now and after full deliberation pass such resolutions as you think proper.
Next, you must remember, side by side with this preparation of yours for the future responsibilities which
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