Daily Times

Mushtaq Ahmad, known as Mushtaq Butt in literary circles was one unsung hero who worked for the promotion of Punjabi language in 1970s.

He was born in Lahore in Mochi Gate on December 07, 1925 in a middle class family. His father’s name was Ghulam Qadir Butt. He obtained LLB degree from the University of the Punjab. So he became a lawyer by profession and started his law practice. He opened his office in 9/A Shahalam Market, Lahore. This office also became the centre point of all activities for promotion of Punjabi language to be acknowledged in Punjab and laid the foundations of Dais Punjab Mahaaz in July 1970. He was a Punjabi lover and wanted his mother tongue Punjabi gets its due at all levels in the society, literature and education. Writing on Mushtaq Butt is to acknowledge the earlier unsung heroes who gave a lot of energies for the cause for which many are still struggling with Rallies on Mother Tongue Day every year.

Mushtaq Butt spent all energies on the forum of ‘Dais Punjab Mahaaz’. He started preparing for a large procession on July 17, 1970 from Mochi Gate Ground to Mall Road and Punjab Assembly. He started collecting the front runners of this cause. Many Buggies were arranged. Banners were displayed saying ‘Punjabi Parhao’. Ample food was available for the participants of the procession. When enough people collected, Mushtaq Butt changed his attire into white turban, kurta and tehband. He rode a horse and led the procession. Raja Rasalu and other started Bhangra dance on the Dhol beat. The procession continued on Gaddas and Rehras and passed through Bhatti Gate to the Mall. Now the procession was in thousands. Another Rally shouting slogans in favour of Punjabi language joined near Nasir Bagh. Many speeches were made. Mushtaq Butt did not speak deliberately as it was rumoured that he would be put behind bars. Luckily the procession reached Mall road peacefully.

Famous Punjabi writer Ilyas Ghumman has been vocal about the contributions of Mushtaq Butt on many forums. Due to Mushtaq Butt’s protests and rallies Master in Punjabi was started at Punjab University, News in Punjabi started aired from Radio Pakistan on daily basis and other programmes in Punjabi were initiated

Famous Punjabi writer Ilyas Ghumman has been vocal about the contributions of Mushtaq Butt on many forums. Due to Mushtaq Butt’s protests and rallies Master in Punjabi was started at Punjab University, News in Punjabi started aired from Radio Pakistan on daily basis and other programmes in Punjabi were initiated. His belief is exhibited in his famous couplet is ‘Jaundi Jad Tak Meri Zaban Rahe Gi/ Ohdon Tak Zinda Meri Maan Rahe Gi’. Mushtaq Butt learnt ticks and traits of Punjabi poetry from Ustad Fazal Din Bakht. When Punjabi Movement was at its peak, his themes of poems concentrated only on the cause of Punjabi language. He said ‘Meri Boli Naal Jinu Pyar Nahi/O Taan Mere Qabeele Da Yaar Nahi’.

Golden Jubilee of Punjabi news and other programmes was celebrated online on July 18, 2020 by Mehkan Adabi Board. Ilyas Ghumman chaired the seminar titled ‘Punjabi Zaban Nu Lagu Karaan Diyaan Koshishan’. Chief guests were Dr. Sughra Sadaf and Chairman Pakistan Adabi Board Mushtaq Soofi. The other participants were Dr. Fayyaz Maghiana, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Butt, Masood Malhi, Jaffar Anjum Jatiana and Imtiaz Butt. The patron of the board Pir Ehsan ul Haq Idrees thanked the participants. Jaffar Anjum from Islamabad emphasized the need of learning one Punjabi Rasm ul Khat. Masood Malhi emphasized the need of TV Channels to allot time for Punjabi Language programmes. Dr. Muhammad Afzaal Butt appreciated the services of Punjabi language teachers. Dr. Fayyaz Maghiana said that learning and propagating messages of Sufi poets is of utmost importance. Writer Zahid Hassan advised that all of us should purchase Punjabi books to support Punjabi Cause. Dr. Sughra Sadaf, DG PILAC emphasized the need of unity among all the organizations such that collectively they can stress upon the government that Punjabi language is ours and our children’s need. Stressing on various ideas was therefore a way of celebrating the golden jubilee of Radio programmes started due to the efforts of Mushtaq Butt and his friends fifty years ago.

Ilyas Ghumman received a call from Imran Butt and he brought all the pictures of his father. He had returned from Saudi Arabia after two decades. On July 17, 2020 Golden Jubilee of 1970 grand procession was celebrated in Mochi Gate Ground where Mushtaq Butt’s son Imran Butt was garlanded and declared the descendent of Mushtaq Butt by Dais Punjab Mahaaz. Imran Butt stated that the last drop of his blood was available for the growth of Punjabi language. Famous writer and journalist Shafqat Tanvir Mirza had once remembered Mushtaq Butt in the words ‘Kithon Lahaiye Labh Kei Mushtaq Butt Ik Hor’. Mushtaq Butt believed that the soil of Punjab is still fertile and its mothers have not stopped giving birth to Dullas, Mirzas and Ahmad Kharals.

lyas Ghumman reported that Mushtaq Butt was against false pretentions. He used to say openly that he was son of a Mistri who had retired after spending lifetime as Railway labour. He worked hard and supported Mushtaq Butt till University level. Mushtaq studied from great teacher and poet Maula Bukhsh Kushta and did Munshi Faazil from his son Chaudhry Afzal Khan in Anglo-Punjabi College. He also studies English and got admitted in University. He became a nationalist due to University’s national and international exposure. He became a successful lawyer as well. So with his big heart he served Punjabi language cause with his education and money that he earned. He was so popular that Bhatti Gate’s owner Muharram Ali of Pilot Hotel did not charge him money for Mahaaz meetings which were held every other day and in return Butt did not charge any fee for Muharram’s cases.

Mushtaq Butt treated his mother tongue as his religion. His demands were simple. He wanted that ban on wearing Punjabi dresses such as Pugg, Patka, Chugga, Lacha, Khussa should be allowed to be worn in colleges, schools and hotels. To make masses feel comfortable, judges, professors, lawyers, government officers, MNAs and MPs should change into Punjabi attire. Another demand of Dais Punjab Mahaaz was that all the streets, roads and Mohallas should be named after famous Punjabi poets, scholars and fighters. These basic requirements that create an identity of a nation are still not met. We still feel that if we wear pants, shirts and neckties, we are superior. We have uniforms in schools and clubs.

Mushtaq Butt had not realized that his blood sugar level was exceeding desired limits till he started feeling and looking weak. He was bed ridden and became a fistful of bones. He was taken to Gulab Devi Hospital and was given treatment. It was too late and just before his death he murmured ‘Bachao Bachao Maan Boli Nu Bachao, Primary School Taun Punjabi Parhao’. The listener spoke ‘Haan Ji Butt Saheb Apna Kalma Hi Parh Rahe Nain’. He died on June 20, 1986 with many of his dreams still unfulfilled! He used to say, take me on my Manji to the decision makers so that they might listen. He also desired that after his death, if Punjabi gets started teaching in schools, he should be informed on his grave such that his soul is at peace!

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com