Freedom Fighter Maulana Mazhar ul Haq's Journalism
Awaz E Bihar••8 views•8 min read
Waheeda Rahman Ph.D. Scholar, Maulana Mazharul Haq, Arabic and Persian University alrakhashanda@gmail.com
Among the personalities who rendered comprehensive services in the fields of politics, society, education, and journalism during the freedom movement, Maulana Mazharul Haq is remembered with great respect. Maulana Mazharul Haq was not only a political leader or social reformer but also a journalist who dedicated his pen to the awakening, intellectual freedom, and social justice of the nation. His journalism was not just news reporting but a living movement that stirred the hearts and minds of the people and infused new spirit into the struggle against slavery.
Mazharul Haq is among those leaders who achieved intellectual maturity through education and then transferred this awareness to the masses through journalism. He was a man of thought, pen, and character. The purpose of his life was to lead the nation out of the darkness of slavery and onto the path of freedom, equality, and justice.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was born on December 22, 1866, in Bhapura village, Patna district, Bihar province, into a respectable and educated family. His family valued religious and worldly sciences and was filled with the spirit of social service. From childhood, Maulana Mazharul Haq showed signs of seriousness, intelligence, and truthfulness.
Maulana received his early education at home. Later, he acquired education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, along with English. He traveled to England for higher education, where he studied law. Despite receiving a Western education, his religious and moral values remained strong. During his education, he developed a sense of service to the nation.
After completing his education, Maulana Mazharul Haq started his career as a lawyer, but soon realized that his true destination was the guidance and social reform of the nation. This feeling inclined him towards politics and public service. He dedicated his abilities to the national cause rather than personal gain.
He was associated with the Indian National Congress and was among the close friends of Mahatma Gandhi. He acted upon the principles of non-violence, truth, and national unity throughout his life.
He was among the first leaders of Bihar who raised their voice against the British government. He endured the hardships of imprisonment several times but never deviated from his principles. His politics aimed at the welfare of the people, not power.
His greatest identity was his advocacy for Hindu-Muslim unity. He was a strong opponent of sectarianism and considered India's freedom as a joint struggle of Hindus and Muslims. He believed that until both nations fought together, freedom would be impossible.
Through his speeches, writings, and actions, he conveyed the message of unity and brotherhood. His residence was open to people of all religions and classes.
He used newspapers and magazines to awaken political awareness among the people and severely criticized the policies of the British government. His writings served as a guiding light for the youth.
In the field of social service, he also played a leading role. He made significant contributions to the promotion of education, help for the poor, and social justice.
The Maulana Mazharul Haq Arabic and Persian University established in Patna is a shining example of his educational services, which still illuminates the flame of knowledge today.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was a person of simplicity, honesty, and high morals. He had no interest in showmanship or luxury. He believed in truthfulness and principle, and both his friends and opponents admired his character.
This great leader passed away on January 2, 1930. His death caused irreparable loss to India, especially Bihar. However, his thoughts, services, and sacrifices remain alive today.
Maulana Mazharul Haq considered journalism not just a profession but a national duty. In 1921, he started an English weekly called "The Motherland." In his view, a newspaper was the voice of the people, a support for the oppressed, and a means of protest against the oppressors.
He believed that as long as the people are not informed, freedom will remain just a dream. This sense of responsibility led him to journalism, and he dedicated his pen to guiding the nation.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian journalism was going through a difficult phase. The British government had imposed strict laws to control newspapers. Censorship, the Press Act, fines, and imprisonment were common.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was a severe critic of these restrictions. In his editorials, he argued that freedom of expression was not a gift from the government but a fundamental right of the nation.
He questioned why the government was afraid of the truth, suggesting that this fear was a sign of its moral bankruptcy. His writings can still be referenced in contemporary debates on journalistic freedom.
Maulana Mazharul Haq's fearless journalism had its consequences. The British government was not pleased with his writings. He faced political suppression, social isolation, and legal challenges, but he never apologized or compromised.
This courage of expression gives his journalism moral heights. His pen moved not in the shadow of fear but in the light of conviction.
From an editorial perspective, Maulana Mazharul Haq's greatest strength was his language and argumentation. He neither used provocative language nor resorted to exaggeration. Each of his sentences was a well-thought-out stance.
He viewed events not in isolation but within the national context. This approach is the hallmark of a standard editorial, where the issue is not temporary but principled.
Maulana Mazharul Haq's journalism created a strong intellectual bridge between the masses and the educated class. He explained complex political points in simple language. His readers did not just read news but gained a perspective.
This is why his editorials were equally effective for political activists, students, lawyers, and ordinary citizens.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was strongly opposed to sectarian journalism. He clearly wrote that any newspaper that spreads religious hatred is actually undermining the nation's foundations. In his view, the true purpose of journalism was to unite the nation, not to divide it.
He never compromised on principles, even when emotional journalism could have been an easy way out. This principle-oriented approach makes him stand among the great journalists.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was a leader who demonstrated extraordinary abilities in politics, society, and journalism. Especially, Hindu-Muslim unity and journalism were the two pillars of his thought.
Maulana Mazharul Haq was a visionary, broad-minded, and realistic thinker. He firmly believed in the principle of diversity in unity. In his view, religion should unite humans, not divide them. This thought made him a strong opponent of sectarian politics and prejudice.
He was well aware that in a diverse country like India, the freedom struggle could only succeed if Hindus and Muslims moved forward with mutual trust and unity.
In his view, Hindu-Muslim unity was not just a political slogan but a condition for national survival. He repeatedly emphasized that Hindus and Muslims had lived together for centuries, shared a common civilization, culture, and history, and that the British government was following a "divide and rule" policy.
Mazharul Haq considered sectarianism as India's greatest weakness. He thought that sectarian riots only weakened the people and strengthened imperialist powers. He pointed out in his speeches and writings that sectarianism was the most dangerous form of slavery.
His journalism was a practical reflection of this ideology. Maulana Mazharul Haq did not make journalism merely a means of news transmission but a powerful tool for national reform and unity. In his view, a newspaper should be the voice of the people, the conscience of society, and the guide of the nation.
Under the British rule, there were severe restrictions on the press. Newspapers were banned, editors were jailed, or heavy fines were imposed. Maulana Mazharul Haq was a severe critic of these restrictions. In his editorials, he argued that freedom of expression was not a gift from the government but a fundamental right of the nation.
He questioned why the government was afraid of the truth, suggesting that this fear was a sign of its moral bankruptcy. His writings can still be referenced in contemporary debates on journalistic freedom.
Some critics believe that Maulana Mazharul Haq's emphasis on unity sometimes seemed distant from ground realities. However, his ideology was not based on temporary politics but on long-term national interests.
Today, when society is again divided on religious lines, Maulana Mazharul Haq's journalism and message of unity are more important than ever. His thought teaches us that despite differences, unity is possible. Journalism should not spread hatred but should be a means of harmony.
National interest is above all personal and sectarian interests. Maulana's journalism and Hindu-Muslim unity were not separate but two names for the same purpose. He tried to unite hearts through his pen and conveyed to the nation that the path to freedom, progress, and prosperity lies only through unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Maulana Mazharul Haq's thought is still alive and serves as a guiding light for future generations.
His journalism aimed to:
* Awaken the sense of freedom among the people and make them aware of their rights. * Raise voice against casteism, sectarianism, ignorance, and social injustice. * Keep the people informed about political situations and encourage them to play an active role in the freedom struggle. * Highlight the importance of education and fight against scientific backwardness.
His journalistic style was simple, purposeful, and effective. His writings were characterized by:
* Strength of arguments * Moral courage * National sentiment * Social sympathy
He explained complex political and social issues in a language that the common reader could understand.
Maulana Mazharul Haq's journalism was purely nationalist.
