The Drama ended with a mass amnesty to all, recollects
By Nissar H. Gilani
It was a bright November morning of the year,1978 in Mumbai – then called Bombay – with hustle and bustle in “Sobu Sidlq Musafir Khanna”. As far as ‘eyes could see, pilgrims, their relatives, friends and dear ones were seen dressed mostly in white and weighed down by variety of gifts, including fabrics, electronic gadgets, dates specially bought after performing holy pilgrimage.
With the increasing demand of the electronic gadgets the tape recorders were the first choice of the pilgrims to present to their dear ones back home, whose choice would mostly fall on big and heavy weight tape recorders.
As our emotions were running high, four of us – all friends, were in a hurry to receive our mothers returning that afternoon after performing Haj. Tactfully we made our entry Possible in the most forbidden Custom Hall of Mumbai Docks, courtesy my police friend Mr V.Pednekar, who was posted there. A cursory look inside the reception hall revealed officials of different wings in their neat Uniforms, presenting a mixture of colored pageantry with few J&K State officers dressed impressively on the occasion.
Notables among the State officers were late Mr Qazi Amin, who was working on deputation as Executive Officer Haj Committee Bombay(Minister of External Affairs) at “Saboo sidiq Musafir Khanna” Mumbai, late Muhammad Amin Bhat trade agent: (J&K Govt) and many others. There were Civil Officers of various departments from Maharashtra State present to overlook the arrangements and receive pilgrims of other states also arriving in the chartered ship ‘Akbar’.
I was delighted to see Mr Qazi Muhammad Amin, a well-known Revenue Officer, whom I hold in high esteem, who was in deep conversation with Mr M.A. Bhat who was my school teacher at Islamia High School in Srinagar in early Sixties. Both displayed charm and a striking air of confidence. We were happy to see each other and passed our time in exchanging pleasantries till announcement of the arrival of the pilgrims was made. Slowly pilgrim’s from various states, including ours started coming out in joy.
We were curiously waiting to receive our dear ones and watching the proceedings in the Custom cum Arrival Hall which was jam packed with pilgrims standing in disorderly queues. Controlling enthusiastic pilgrims is always a tough thing for law enforcing personnel. Clearing various obligatory formalities mostly at Custom counters are dislikable by everyone. Meanwhile we heard arguments going on, some trying to pick holes in their arguments, others fuming, few. Playing tricks, lucky ones leaving with their bags packed unnoticed, mostly lighting their purses for a piece of official receipt. Around this time a gentleman in his early Fifties hurriedly approached us requesting for a by-pass of the obligatory procedures. An official seated nearby conducted him politely and asked him to wait his turn. Judging the official’s mood, he turned resistive and minutes later mixed in the crowd with and over-sized bag. Carrying with the help of an ally reappearing again for a bailout near a porous exit. With high dedication and state of preparedness, an alert official stopped him to crossover. Finding fatally flawed against a background of very high vigil, he immediately shouted “Naraa-e- Takbir “, the response was instant “Allah-o-Akbar followed by “Hum Kya Chatay” , “Raj Shumare “(Plebiscite). We had not coined the word ‘Azadi’, then, for sometime there was a pandemonium in the Hall much to the discomfort of the officials, police on duty and others.
Sirens buzzed, special contingent police force was specially called in, along with senior officers of different wing’s of the administration, police and customs.
For nearly half an hour emergency meeting was hurriedly convened and finally it was announced that there will be a mass amnesty to all.
There was jubilation all over in the customs hall with the pilgrims chanting, Bharat Matta key Jay.
With this the Sovereignty of the hijacked Dock Custom Hall was restored, and transporting of pilgrims hastily arranged, free of cost. It was a win win situation for all..
Nissar H. Gilani can be reached at nisargilani57748@gmail.com
