Now, Sir, I will be very frank. The discussions that have taken place and the discussion that will take place will show that the Members of this Assembly from Eastern Pakistan-and If we will have the Members who come from Eastern Pakistan-will be put in a very awkward position, because their own feelings are that Bengali should be declared straight away here and now as one of the State languages of Pakistan.
Sardar Shaukat Hyat Khan: Why do not you say so?
Mr. A.K. Fazlul Haque: “Well, I want it. But I want to have proper initiative. Sir, I want to be frank. As I have said, I do not want to break it. I feel that if a division is taken in the present circumstances, we will lose, whatever reasons may be. I do not want to lose but I want to get an opportunity and as a matter of fact I do not want to shelve the question but I want to put off the defeat and see if I can get successfully out of unfortunate circumstances.
Sardar Shaukat Hyat Khan: Who can defeat you?
Mr. A.K. Fazlul Haque:[১]I cannot for a moment answer my friend's questions in the way he desires because it is not for me to change facts. I am not saying these things from the point of views of any particular section of the House. I am not holding any brief for anybody but I am only putting before the House the question from practical point of view. Does the amendment of Honorable Abdus Sattar go to this length that this question can never come before this House to consideration? It may be postponed for six months or eight months. These are all matters of procedure. So, Sir, I submit that it is not fair politics because some of the Members here have been placed in a very awkward position because there is a conflict between their duty towards their constituencies and the circumstances with which we are faced in this House today. I am only appealing to the House not to make provocative speeches but allow the Government to consider this question coolly and calmly and I feel sure that the time will come when we will be able to convince that the importance of Bengali must be properly weighed
Before I sit down I convey my grateful thanks to my friend Sardar Shaukat Hyat for the manner in which he has espoused the cause of Bengali I wish I had delivered that speech and not he. (Applause)
* * * * * *
Shri Dhirendra Nath Dutta: Mr. President, Si..........today, it is rather difficult for me to speak as it has been enhanced by the fact that I am to speak after the Honorable and most learned friend, Mr. A.K. Fazlul Huq. I have the honor of being his colleague for a long period and I know the difficulty of speaking after him. He can place any case with abounding arguments. He has got that capacity. I shall confine myself to one fort only and that is this: Whether there is a necessity for postponing the consideration of this issue. It is now agreed. Sir, and it has been agreed by my Honorable and most esteemed friend, Mr. A.K. Fazlul Huq, that the claim of the Bengali language is genuine and it has got the opinion and the backing of all the population of
- ↑ Speech not corrected by the Honorable Member
