TVDWD 16

Chapter 16: The Struggle

“I will write a letter to the Punjab Government to present to Quaid-e-Azam, that they provide me a plane so I can personally go to England and present my case before the Viceroy.”

After completing the details of the entire case, including accounts, reports, testimonies, letters, and court files, Mumtaz moved towards Lahore in August 1946. The hope was that now, under Quaid-e-Azam’s leadership, this file would find a rightful place and be accepted.

On one side was the issue of Muslim identity, on the other the matter of justice for the oppressed and enslaved Kashmiris. The British government’s influence was spread across all of India. However, Mumtaz’s faith, belief, and determination didn’t waver. He traveled to Lahore to seek help from the Muslim League’s leaders and present this case to Quaid-e-Azam. But things didn’t go as he expected. No one paid serious attention to the case. It was dismissed as if it held no importance.

His soul was restless. Even after all this, Mumtaz did not lose courage. He decided to take his case directly to the Viceroy in England. For this, he needed support from the government. He met with the Chief Minister of Punjab, Nawab Iftikhar Hussain Mamdot, and shared his desire.

He said, “I want to write a letter to the Punjab Government to forward to Quaid-e-Azam, requesting that a plane be provided to me so I can go to England and present my case to the Viceroy. I believe no one can present this better than me.”

Although Nawab Mamdot was sympathetic, the matter didn’t progress beyond mere words. No one wanted to get involved in such a complicated and risky case at that time.

Eventually, Mumtaz returned to his village with a broken heart. But his spirit remained unshaken. He started writing detailed letters again, this time with more intensity. The mission was clear—to get justice for the oppressed people of Kashmir. His house became a kind of campaign office. Letters, documents, and responses from newspapers and magazines piled up. He began sending his appeals to different leaders and organizations.

Despite limited resources and weak health, Mumtaz continued the struggle. He had no support, no wealth, and no political status—only a strong heart and unbreakable faith. He believed that truth always prevails in the end.

Chapter: “My First Day at School”
By: Dr. Waheed Qureshi

On the first day, my mother woke me up early. I got ready after taking a bath, and my mother dressed me in new clothes. She lovingly combed my hair and tied a clean handkerchief around my neck. She gave me my schoolbag, which had a slate, chalk, and a few books and notebooks.

When I left home with my father, my mother came to the door and kept watching me until I disappeared from sight. Holding my father’s finger tightly, I walked through the streets toward the school. On the way, I saw many children like me, also going to school with their fathers or older brothers. Some looked happy, and others seemed a little scared.

As we reached the school gate, I saw a lot of children there. Some were crying, some stood quietly, and some clung tightly to their elders. I too started to feel a little scared. My father took me to a teacher standing near the gate and said something to him.

The teacher looked at me kindly and took me by the hand. My father patted my back and said, “Go on, my son. Don’t be afraid.” I followed the teacher into the school building. He took me to a classroom where several children were already seated. The teacher told me to sit at an empty desk.

At first, I was nervous and felt like crying, but when I saw that other children were also sitting quietly, I gathered some courage. The teacher spoke to us gently and told us interesting things. He made us laugh and asked us our names. We learned how to sit properly and greet the teacher by saying “Salam.” The teacher also taught us a few words and letters.

When it was time to go home, I saw my father waiting at the gate. I ran to him and happily told him all about my day. He picked me up and kissed me on the forehead.

That night, I told my mother everything that had happened. She listened with great interest and hugged me. I was no longer afraid of school. Now I wanted to go again and learn more.