Muslim Conference did not hold any annual session in 1936. However the fifth annual session of the Conference was held in Poonch city on 14, 15, and 16 May 1937. S.M. Abdullah as President in his detailed speech demanded a powerful Assembly and a responsive and responsible govt. The significant part of his speech was that he hoped in near future the poor among Hindus and Sikhs will join hands in the struggle for achievement of responsible government. He also made a comparison between J&K State and British India so far as Inter-community relationship between majority and minority was concerned. He said that if the “State minorities insist that they should get the same rights in the State which will be available to the minorities in the sub-continent , we have no objection in affecting the same”. These words were not spoken by S.M. Abdullah without a context. From amongst the Hindus a group had already joined the struggle with a desire to remove poverty and hunger.
Referring to the Government of India Act 1935, Abdullah was too critical about setting up of a Federation. In his speech he came down heavily upon all Maharajas and Nawabs and clearly rejected thier policies towards eight crore population in India. In this backdrop the annual session at Poonch adopted a resolution to be submitted to the Maharaja requesting him not to join the Federation and if the Maharaja desired so, then he should get the State Representatives fairly and duly elected by the people. In the resolution some more demands were made which are summed up as follows:
- Establishment of intermediate college in Poonch
- Measures be taken for development of industries, commerce and handicrafts
- Construction of new building for Sardar Hospital, Srinagar
- Engagement of experts to explore the mineral wealth of the State and income/revenue thereof be utilized for the welfare of the people; and
- Creation and establishment of a university in the State.
It was also announced in the annual conference that once the Responsible Government is formed it will be neither of Hindus nor Muslims. As a matter of fact it will be a people’s government in all respects and in its true sense.One may recollect that this demand was first raised in 1934 at the time of drafting the Constitution of Legislative Assembly.
Kashmir Tidbits 