'Architect of partition’: Right-wing activists deface Allama Iqbal’s mural

A mural of Mohammed Iqbal, the renowned poet-philosopher also known as Allama Iqbal, was defaced by right-wing workers in Jaipur, who accused him of being the 'architect of India’s partition.

The mural, originally created as part of a beautification project, was vandalised with black ink as the right-wing workers sought to link Iqbal’s legacy to his association with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, and the partition of India, The Siasat Daily reported.

Allama Iqbal, widely regarded as one of the most distinguished Urdu poets of the 20th century, is celebrated for composing Saare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara, which remains a patriotic anthem in India.

A philosopher with a clear political vision, he advocated for the empowerment of Muslims during British rule and sought to address societal and spiritual challenges through his writings. His works, including the renowned Zarb-e-Kaleem (The Strike of Moses’ Staff), are considered profound and thought-provoking, blending themes of humanity, divinity, and the love of God with a critique of modern civilisation.

Composed in 1936 during a stay in Bhopal, Zarb-e-Kaleem served as Iqbal’s manifesto for rescuing Muslims from the perceived harms of contemporary society, drawing parallels to Moses leading the Israelites to freedom. This poetic work is often viewed as a visionary piece, predicting political and social upheavals that later shaped regions such as India, Afghanistan, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

Many admirers of Iqbal have interpreted his poetry as a reflection of extraordinary foresight, sparking questions about whether he possessed a supernatural intuition or divine inspiration.