KASIM RAZVI DESERVED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

KASIM RAZVI DESERVED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

DR K Prabhakar Rao

September 17/18 every year in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh are very important. They are also associated with rise of passions . In recent times, it has become more important with the strong demand for a Telangana state bifurcating AP. On this day the regime of Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah Bahadur, Fateh Jung, the Nizam 7 of Hyderabad state laid down his power when his much glorified army and Razakars ( volunteers) surrendered to the Indian Army that invaded the state in 1948. The Hyderabad state was merged with Indian union and the rule of the Nizam was annulled. Asif jahi dynasty was established by Qamruddin Chin Khilji khan the Mughal governor in Deccan who was appointed as Subedar by Mughal emperor Mohammed Shah (Rangila) in 18 century. By this , Mughals at Delhi lost most of their provinces and lost authority too Marathas were dominating under Peshwa rule from Pune. The Asif Jha dynasty produced seven regular and recognized rulers.They were Qamruddin Chin khilij Khan , Nizam ali, Nasir ud dula, Sikandar Jha,Afzal ud daula, Mahboob Ali Khan and Osman Ali Khan The last ruler was Mir Osman Ali Khan who was removed after Police action by Indian army in 1948.

When India gained independence, all most all the regional princely states merged with Indian union, except Junagarh, Kashmir and Hyderabad. The English men gave an option to the rulers that either they could merge with Pakistan or India or remained independent. Kashmir was invaded by Pakistan tribals and regular army immediately after independence and they were repulsed by Indian army and the forces of Jammu state. The maharaja of Kashmir signed the document of accession to India and Kashmir became part of India. India regained all the areas except Gilgit and Hunza and these areas too were also about to fall to India when Jawaharlal Nehru the much over glorified Prime minister declared ceasefire and referred the matter to UNO ( an incompetent world body), an absolute foolish step and it has been proved beyond doubt over the years. India even today is struggling due to this lack lustre decision and Nehru left a permanent cancer to India to bleed and suffer. Referendum was held in Junagarh and it was taken over by India while the Nawab of Junagarh ran away to Pakistan. Hyderabad remained a pain the ass for as Nizam 7 decided to stay independent. Pleas of n union fell on deaf ears at Hyderabad.
Hyderabad state at that time consisted areas of Telangana ( Mostly Telugu and Urdu speaking people), Marathwada (consisting of Kannda and Marathi speaking people).The districts were:

a. Telangana

Medak, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mahboob nagar, Adilabad, Khammam met, Nalgonda, Warangal, Atraf balda ( surrounding Hyderabad city) (9)

b. Marthwada.

Bidar, Beed, Aurangabad, Osmanabad, Gulbarga, Raichur, Nanded, Parbhani ( 8),

Nizams decision to remain independent was not accepted by the Indian union and Nizam slowly tried to build up his army for confrontation and he came under the influence of Kasim Razvi the chief of Majlis Ittehad muslimeen ( MIM ), the fundamentalist Islamic party. Razvi encourage the affected Mulsim of partition to settein Hyderabad. These at a later stage became Hindu haters.

Kasim Razvi hailed from UP state and was a lawyer by profession at Latur in Osmanabad district and he joined MIM. Bahadur yar jung was the president of MIM and after the untimely death of him Razvi became its President in 1946. His influence over Nizam was complete. He was totally a fundamentalist to the core and organized a volunteer force named Razakars in the state. Every Razakar had to take a oath that he would die for Islam. This force was armed with al facilities and was given military training. They were tutored in to Hindu tirade. Razvi ensured that Sir Mirza Ismail a moderate PM of Hyderabad state was hounded out of the state. Similarly Nawab of Chattari who came to Hyderabad for a second term as PM was hounded out. In 1948 Razvi imposed a new government in Hyderabad under Laik Ali the PM. With the help of Razakars terror was let loose on Hindu population in the state. Villages were burnt, scores of men and children were killed, and women were raped in public in large numbers in the state. Dacoities were committed with connivance of Nizam’s police and Hyderabad army. Razakars were fully abetted by Police Chief Deen yar Jung. Shoibullah Khan the young editor of daily Imroz who condemned Nizams government was brutally murdered by Razakars. It was believed that Kasim Razvi was behind the plot. Kasim Razvi assumed title Field Marshal of Razkar forces. Kasim Razvi even proclaimed that Asifia flag would be unfurled on Red ort at Delhi and that waters of Bay of Bengal would wash the feet of Mir Osman ali Khan.. Nizam was a puppet in his hands and in all aspects he abdicated his responsibility towards his subjects. He became blind under the passion of remaining independent. Thus Nizam lost his moral authority to rule the state as a king. Destiny was waiting to strike at right moment. All appeals from Indian union to restrain Razkars fell on deaf ears and action was contemplated by Indian union.

Sardar Vallabhai was the Deputy Prime Minister at Delhi and it is well known now that Jawaharlal Nehru the PM was not in favor of invasion of Hyderabad state. But Asi Jha’s rule was coming to an end. Destiny was making moves. Kasim Razvi also visited Delhi and Patel where he said that it would be better to die holding a sword than dying by the stroke of a pen. Indian government declared Razvi was a Frankenstein in the company of Nizam in Hyderabad. But for Patel Hyderabad would have become another Pakistan in the heart of India. Probably Nehru would have taken the matter to UNO that would never settle the issue. It would have become a permanent ulcer in the heartland of India. Indian army invaded Hyderabad state on 13 Sept 1948 from four directions. It was called operation POLO and termed Police action. Hyderabad army and Razakars who boasted high collapsed like pack of cards with feeble resistance. Many Razakars were killed in the action. Helpless Nizams army surrendered disgracefully to Indian army on 17 Sept 1948. Kasim Razvi was arrested along with the Deen Yar jung the police chief and many leaders of MIP nad cabinet ministers. Laik Ali the PM of Hyderabad state escaped to Pakistan. Military government under General Chaudhry with some civilian advisors was formed in Hyderabad and it was merged with India
A special tribunal with three judges — one Christian, one Muslim, and one Hindu was constituted to try the accused. Later, the Government withdrew the Aland Murder case for want of sufficient evidence. Askar Yar Jung, a former member of the State Judicial Committee was appointed the defense counsel along with some others to assist him After detailed investigation, three criminal cases were filed against Razvi and six others: the Aland Murder Case; the Shoebullah Khan Murder Case; and the Bibinagar Dacoity Case. At the argument stage, Razvi asked for the removal of the counsels and argued his own case.
Kasim Razvi was convicted in Bibinagar ( It is a small place and is located about 35Km from Hyderabad city on Hyderabad Kazipet railway line) dacoity case and was not found guilty in the case of murder of Shoibullah Khan.. the sentence was passed on 10 sept 1950 and was sentenced for 10 yerasRI. Nizam was pardoned and was Rajpramukh ( governor) of Hyderabad state by the weak kneed Indian government. It was done obviously to appease Muslims. In fact Nizam should have been tried for Misrule and atrocities on Hindus in state and for his failure to control Razkars. But Nizam escaped the punishment and enjoyed in the palace at koti. Kasim Razvi no doubt was handed down much lesser punishment in prison. In fact in any other country he would have faced gallows as a criminal for atrocities committed on Hindus by letting loose Razakars force that he commanded. He should have been subjected to summary trial by a military court and hanged. Alternately he should have been shot by a firing squad on the streets of Hyderabad at Charminar in full public view. Alas! India lacked leaders of that caliber to take such decisions. Razvi was imprisoned at Chanchalguda prison and was subjected to hard labor. Later he represented against the alleged inhuman treatment at the jail and was sent to Pune jail in 1954 where he served his term and was released under the condition that with in 48 hours he should leave the country and leave for Pakistan.

After his release on 11 Sept 1957 he was brought to Hyderabad an young advocate ZahidAli Kameel and he drove him to his house where he held the meeting of his party. Out of 140 members of MIM only 40 leaders attended. He said that he would handover the party to even a twelve year boy . None was ready to takeover the reigns of the party. It was finally handed over to Wahaab Owaissi. The present city MLA Akbaruddin Owaissi, and his elder brother who is an MP are his grandsons. Kasim Razvi left for Pakistan on 18 Sept 1957 and was seen off By ZahidAli Kameel at Bombay and lived rest of his life in Pakistan and practiced law midst of Muslims who migrated from India. They are called Mujahirs.Kasim Razvi was not given any recognition in Pakistan and he was overlooked. He had no political life and he died unsung and unheard a broken and disgraced man on 15January 1970 at the age of 67 years.

The fact that Kasim Razvi was let off with jail term inspite of the fact he spearheaded Razakars, fanned communal hatred and crime on Hindus in the state, is clear indication of weak and appeasement policy of Indian leaders even at the time of partition. They had no courage and lacked spine to hang this person who was squarely responsible for inhuman conduct of Razakars towards Hindu population in Hyderabad state. He really deserved death sentence and nothing short. By letting him off with lesser punishment Indian authorities have insulted the Hindu population of the state who lost lives and honor of women at the hands of Razakars and justice was denied to them. It is sure that their souls are not at rest yet and hover over Hyderabad city crying in despair. Probably letting off Razvi is a greater crime than other crimes committed.