IT is shocking news for every Iqbal lover that the government has decided to make Iqbal Day a working holiday on Nov 9. I do remember that earlier there used to be a holiday even on Allama Iqbal`s death anniversary on April 21 every year.
The cause of the holiday was that the nation should remember the significance of Iqbal and his role as a national poet who dreamt of Pakistan.
It was he who for the first time presented the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India in his famous address at the annual Muslim League meeting in Allahabad in 1930.
It was he who contributed significantly to the unification of the Muslim League in 1927. He was the person who convinced the Quaid-i-Azam to return to India and start the struggle for the Muslims of India.
The Quaid had earlier decided to stay in London and not to go back to his homeland after the third roundtable conference.
He is an undisputed national hero.
Celebrations on his birthday was intended to pay homage to this great leader.
However, the withdrawal of the holiday on Nov 9 by the Muslim Leaguegovernment is a mystery.
As a Pakistani I protest to the the government on such a decision and demand that the holiday be revived.
