Remembering Khurrum Khan Panni


TO write or comment on the life of a political personality is a tough task. The achievements, the tribulations, the struggles, the endurance¦ and long years of success and survival can hardly be presented in a small piece of writing. It will certainly be an injustice if the mission and philosophy of the person is not conveyed in words. This is especially important when we have to write about a person with whom we share a very fond relationship. I was in such a dilemma when I thought about late Khurram Khan Panni. He was a great freedom fighter, a successful diplomat, an efficient administrator, a charming socialite and, above all, a very humble and honest person. But, in my heart, he occupies a special space -- beyond his social and political face, he was an extremely loving and inspiring father to me. Even now, I am proud to hear when people introduce me as son of Khurram Khan Panni.
He was greatly admired by people from all walks of life and enjoyed enormous prestige during his life time.
For some years I had thought of writing a book about his life and also about my great grandfather, late Wajid Ali Khan Panni (Chand Mia). But I gave up the idea as I am not sure whether I can interpret their ideas and political role very objectively. Hence I decided to confine my efforts in a small write-up.
Khurram Khan Panni, my beloved father, was born on 16th November, 1921, at a time when freedom struggle was entering into a different phase. He was the eldest son of Masud Ali Khan Panni and eldest grandson of Wajid Ali Khan Panni, famous social reformer and zamindar of Karatia. The aristocratic family background and the towering personality of his grandfather had influenced the personal traits and political views of KKP throughout his life. His childhood in Karatia was most urbane and yet, tranquil and peaceful as it was away from the hectic city life of a big city. However, at home, the family then was actively involved in Muslim League politics and freedom struggle. So, any political turbulence in Delhi or Calcutta had its resonance in Karatia Zamindar House as well. Hence, from a very young age, KKP got interested in politics and felt deeply disturbed about the British policy towards Indian struggle for independence. His father was very keen to provide the best education to his son. He was sent to St. Paul's School, Darjeeling , and later St. Xavier's School and Presidency College in Kolkata. But his primary interest was in politics and to join freedom struggle. During his Presidency College days, he was quite popular and enjoyed good companions. Some of his close friends later played prominent role in the history of our subcontinent. To name some, Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Ray, former Chief Minister of Bengal, Mr. Ashok Sen, a famous lawyer and Mr. Abu Sayyed Chowdhury, former President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
KKP entered into politics at a very young age. His upbringing had profound influence on his political perspective and he became active supporter of freedom struggle. Like all other young aristocratic intellectuals who were attracted by western liberalism, he was too critical about the exploitation and oppression of British rulers. He started his political career as Private Secretary to his maternal grandfather, Sir Abdul Halim Ghaznavi, who was a minister in the Bengal Government along with Sir Zafrullah. But later he joined Muslim League and shifted to the path of political activism. He had participated in Quit India Movement and was elected to the Bengal Assembly in 1942 but was unseated due to under age.
This was an interesting story.According to his matriculation certificate, his year of birth was 1920. I think, he was a bit too young to give his matriculation, so the year of birth was shown as 1920. However, later a telegram was produced as evidence against his age, which was sent by his father to his father-in-law: "Son born, both mother and child well". And in the telegram, the date was November 1921. As a result, he was unseated. Later, when the by -election came, as the seat had to be vacated, he was eligible to contest and won from the seat.
After partition, he continued his political career. However, soon after independence and partition, Muslim League became unpopular in East Pakistan. He could not succeed in Tangail constituency as the majority of former ML leaders joined hands with the opposition (United Front) and defeated the Muslim League and the party was almost wiped out. KKP stayed quiet. Later, when Ayub Khan, who took over power in Pakistan in a bloodless coup in 1958, held election in 1962, KKP was elected unopposed as an independent candidate and became member of the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly. He later joined the ruling party and became the Chief Whip of the ruling party in the assembly. In 1963, KKP started another turn in his career as a diplomat which he had enjoyed completely. In 1963, he was appointed Pakistan Commissioner to the East African countries -- Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Later in the same year these countries became independent from the British colonial rule and he was upgraded to High Commissioner accredited to most of the east African Countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (Tanganyika and Zanzibar united), Zambia and Ethiopia. I got an opportunity to be with KKP during his diplomatic career in Africa. He had an amazing level of integrity and dedication towards the causes he stood for. I learned the basics of managing international diplomacy during this period and this exposure did indeed help me enormously to deal with the problems of Bangladeshis in Malaysia while I was serving as High Commissioner there.
In 1966, KKP was appointed as Pakistan Ambassador to Argentina where he opened the Pakistan mission. In 1969, he was appointed Pakistan Ambassador to Philippines. However, he was unhappy during these days as, I can recall, he faced a dilemma in continuing as Ambassador when his heart and soul stood for the cause of East Pakistan and Bengali identity and right to self-determination. In early 1970, he visited East Pakistan and propagated for the Awami League when he visited Tangail and Karatia. He strongly believed in AL's ability to bring the rightful choice to the suffering and exploited people of the then East Pakistan. In 1971, when the freedom movement started, he opted out of the post of Ambassador of Pakistan and openly declared his loyalty to Mujib and AL and the freedom struggle for an independent Bangladesh. Karamatullah K. Ghori, who was the Number Two in Pakistan Mission in Philippines, later wrote about this incident. KKP called a press conference at his embassy residence. A reporter asked him at the press conference: "What is your Number Two doing? Is he also walking out on Pakistan?" "No", said KKP, "But years from now when he looks back at this period he might regret he didn't make the right choice." These were prophetic words, Karamatullah Ghori confessed later in his column. In June 1971, KKP was appointed as the Roving Ambassador of the Mujibnagar Government, the government-in-exile of Bangladesh. He travelled all over the South East Asian countries and Australia, seeking support for the freedom movement. Interestingly, most of the countries did extend support. Malaysia was a bit hesitant to openly support. In 1965, during Indo-Pakistan war, Malaysian representative in UN (who was of Indian origin) had declared that Pakistan was the aggressor. As a result, Pakistan had broken diplomatic ties with Malaysia which was restored later. Hence Malaysia was a bit careful but after liberation, Malaysia was the first Muslim country to recognise Independent Bangladesh, followed by Indonesia. KKP was sent to Jakarta as the first Ambassador of independent Bangladesh.
It was a tough time for Bangladesh as the majority of the Muslim countries and China did not recognise Bangladesh as an independent nation. They supported Pakistan. Vigorous lobbying was launched to convince this bloc of countries to accept independent Bangladesh. Indonesia, being the largest Muslim country, played an important role in convincing other countries to recognise Bangladesh.KKP used his diplomatic skill to lobby for Bangladesh and to get for the country its due place in the international community. Bangabandhu was keen to get membership of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference [OIC] as well. Pakistan gave as its condition to recognise Bangladesh the release of the prisoners of war without trial. In this "exchange offer" Indonesia played a vital role as a mediator and KKP, as the Ambassador, was the mediator on behalf of Bangabandhu.
KKP was always of the opinion that Bangabandhu has played the most vital role in the emancipation of the Bengali people and in getting the independence. Bangladesh owes its independent existence to Bangabandhu and his movement. KKP was proud of the new sovereign country. He was a great admirer and supporter of Bangabandhu and advised me to join and support Awami League.
KKP discontinued active politics and diplomatic career after his Inbdonesian assignment was over. In 1975 he went to the USA where two of his younger sons and daughter were settled. He settled in Seattle.
He was very ill during the last 3/4 years of his life. He could not walk, and was almost bed-ridden. When mother passed away in 1995, I used to go to the USA often and stay for months to look after and nurse him and to cook for him. He was so pleased and I think our bond as father and son became strong during the last period of his life. Since I studied in a boarding school and he was very busy with his political engagements we hardly got time to share ideas when I was young.
So I felt grateful to the Almighty for giving me an opportunity to look after him when he was weak and frail. He used to share his experience as a politician and diplomat and cherish the nostalgic memories of Karatia, Calcutta and Dhaka and, of course, of Bangabandhu. He asked me to join Awami League as he felt this is what he owes to Bangbandhu. When he visited Bangladesh in 1980, he was shocked that there were no pictures of Bangbandhu any where and no one talked about this great man and then he commented sadly, "Is our nation is so ungrateful?"
He died on 25th January, 1997. I am happy that I could keep my promise to him. As a person KKP was warm, friendly and lovable. It was well known that he was a person whom no one could greet first. He was polite and gentle to everyone, irrespective of class, politics and nationality. His manners were impeccable, a true aristocrat with great manners, yet humble and honest. He was always vivacious and dynamic. When he was a young man he was a great horse rider and played polo with the princes in India. His hobby was flying and had a PPL (Private Pilot's License]. He also sang well. No man could be a better host than him. He was charming with good breeding, elegance combined with simplicity and sincerity. He was always attentive to his guests and admired arts and music. He encouraged us to learn music and musical instruments. He enjoyed interesting conversation and his own contribution during long hours of chatting was lively in a calm voice. He appeared well dressed and grace was natural to him. As a father he was the embodiment of affection and discipline. While looking back, I feel so proud to be the son of KKP. I can't claim that I have inherited many of his best qualities as a human being and a great leader. But, I am sure he had profound influence on my personality, political views and attitude to the common man and his myriad problems.
And, above all, I feel that I have inherited the most important part of my father's legacy -- Love for our own Bangladesh. Whatever his success or failure, his misjudgments and misgivings, he stood for shaping and nurturing Sonar Bangla as envisaged and dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I am so proud to inherit the spirit of his will and desire to watch Bangladesh achieving the zenith of its glory.

October 31 2009 finacial express ,Dhaka