It has been 73 years since we got independence from foreign rule. During these 73 years, we have witnessed the birth of democracy, the rise of popular government, and the might of dictatorship. The voice of revolutionists who challenged the tyranny of oppressors still echoes through the chambers of history. Habib Jalib was one such revolutionary force whose literary howls remain relevant even 28 years after his demise.
Habib Jalib, the revolutionary poet of his time, was a vigorous left-wing activist and politician who opposed martial law, authoritarianism, and state oppression. His passion for civil supremacy was so vibrant that Faiz Ahmed Faiz called him the poet of the masses. He opposed military coups and administrators and was duly jailed several times in the process.
In spite of her father’s sacrifices for the nation and his beyond-time poetry, Tahira Jalib, daughter of Pakistan’s revolutionary poet, is living a life not any less hard than that of her father’s. Tahira is a resident of Lahore and drives a private taxi to support her family. She also works with Netsol technologies, a Lahore-based Software Company. Being the sole bread earner of her family, life has never been easy for her.
This is a simple story of a daughter who is carrying forward her father’s legacy without any financial or moral support from anyone. Everyone knows about Habib Jalib and how he never made any property for himself and spent his whole life fighting for people’s rights.
However, it’s a dilemma that we remember our heroes and legends only on their death anniversaries. We never approach their families and ask about their condition unless there is an election coming.
Tahira’s story is no different. According to her, their family used to get a 25,000 stipend from the government until her mother was alive. But even that was given at the cost of their self-respect so they themself refused to receive it.
When my mother was hospitalized, all that the government did was admitting her in the hospital. They never looked back. The rest of the expenses including her medicines and treatment were covered by us. Many politicians still visit us but their sole purpose is political point-scoring.
Tahira has not married for the sake of her family and lives with her sisters and their kids. Her brothers moved out one by one after getting married and are now busy in their own lives. It makes Tahira the sole caretaker of the family that lives in a small house. She is herself suffering from diabetes and leads a very hard life. Still, she has refused to bow and beg from anyone.
Tahira rightfully complains that despite all the sacrifices for the democracy and masses, her father does not receive the recognition and respect he merits. Events like “Faiz Mela” are held every year but Habib Jalib does not even get a mention anywhere. Universities and politicians have not shown the gratitude her father deserved even though his poetry is famous across the border too. During the recent citizenship amendment riots in India, students were seen chanting Habib Jalib’s revolutionary proses.
Here in Pakistan too, politicians use Jalib’s poetry for a “democratic” appearance but no one pays heed to his family and the hardships faced by them. Habib Jalib is respected everywhere except in his own country and by people whom his fight was for.
“My father thought of Benazir as his own daughter. He was a man of democracy and always raised his voice for people and against dictatorship. He was imprisoned several times but even that couldn’t make him bow.”
Tahira recalls her days with her father when she and her seven siblings along with their mother used to live in a very small flat.
While Jalib was imprisoned, we would loan food from grocery stores. Our father on his return would write songs so he could pay the loan back.
Tahira says she has never been approached by any political party to join their party as she, like her father, is among the ones who raise their voice against tyranny.
Benazir used to visit our house and I used to make tea for her with my own hands. But after her demise, neither Zardari nor her children have ever visited us.
Today, Habib Jalib’s children are suffering from several financial issues. They never got the respect and credit they deserved. Tahira had to work in a PCO for two years before joining Careem as a captain. She couldn’t complete her education due to poor financial conditions so she had no other option. When she started driving, she had to distribute the pamphlets herself.
My father dedicated his entire life to his nation. He got baton-wielded, arrested but refused to bow in the face of oppression. Hunger was a bigger problem for us so we couldn’t get a proper education. Whatever little education we have, is because of my mother’s efforts.
Habib Jalib’s poetry is evergreen and beyond time. It is so strong and relevant that it can never die. But his family, his legacy are living a very hard life. Tahira has refused to bow and ask for any support from the government. Like her father, she prefers self-respect above anything and is determined to support her family on her own.
The government of Pakistan should step up and help Habib Jalib’s family without hurting their self-respect. Even though she has refused to ask for any kind of help, it is the moral obligation of the state to honor national heroes and look after their families especially the ones who have made no compromises, and still stand tall in the fight against authoritarianism.
Here is Tahira Jalib’s complete interview:
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