For my family, it has been a great honour that my father’s revolutionary poem, ‘Main Baaghi Hoon’, was one of Shaheed Mohtarma’s favourites to recite. The story of how she came across the writing is fascinating in itself, and highlights the extraordinary vigilance she had mastered at such a young age. As a student leader and follower of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, my father wrote Main Baaghi Hoon as a tribute to the courage of SZAB and the ongoing struggle between democratic and autocratic forces, one which continues till today. For this, he was brutally beaten and tortured by the goons of the military government for organising a tribute to SZAB on his first death anniversary on university premises.
A few years later, as Mohtarma had emerged as the most formidable force across the political spectrum to challenge a heinous military regime, she was forced into exile, where she continued her political struggle. Several young political activists also left the country, but continued to resist and subvert the regime through their writings, mobilization and literature. It was during this time that Shaheed Mohtarma came across Main Baaghi Hoon, as it was published in the revolutionary journal, ‘Jeddojehad’ (The Struggle). My father soon received word that Mohtarma had also chosen to recite it at an event at the Oxford Union.
At such a young age, Benazir’s keen eye for identifying young, ideological workers, keeping them mobilized and passionate across borders and continents, is truly extraordinary.
As the regime crumbled due to the remarkable resistance led by Benazir Bhutto, during which she endured unspeakable trauma and torture, it was clear that a young woman had crushed the delusions of grandeur of the men in power. Her and her passionate cadre of hundreds of thousands of ideology motivated workers became symbols of courage and endurance.
On April 10 1986 in Lahore, upon her return from exile, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto led what is believed to be one of the largest political gatherings in history. Yet, she chose to lead in a peaceful, dignified and democratic manner. She instructed her workers to remain non violent, and that the ballot box was the only route to democratic transition.
It was during this historic rally that SMBB chose to recite Main Baaghi Hoon, a poem that encapsulated her struggle and her manifesto, she said.
On November 27 1992, at the official book launch of Main Baaghi Hoon in Lahore, Shaheed Mohtarma graced the event with her presence as the Chief Guest. The sense of honour and acknowledgment that was felt by my family that day, is a feeling shared by thousands of workers whom she gave the love, dignity and respect which perhaps no other leader has given their followers. It is this empathy and kindness that she retained despite facing the harshest of circumstances, that make her truly Benazir and keep the love for her alive in the hearts of millions.
A close companion of Mohtarma, Victoria Schofield, whom she met and became close to during her days at Oxford, recalls how Benazir was still able to retain her sense of humour despite the worst of times. She recalls various instances in her beautifully written book “The Fragrance of Tears: My Friendship with Benazir Bhutto’, whereby SMBB was able to find the humour even in the worst of situations, such as her time in prison. Schofield writes, ‘Remarkably, looking back, her humour was in tact. “I remember when we were children, we used to hear that the desert heat is so strong that, when the British were here, instead of cooking eggs on the fire, they kept them out in the sun to cook. Of Course, by the time I was in jail, there were no eggs to practice with to see if it was really true or not!”’
In 2017, my family and I met Mohtarma’s sister, Sanam Bhutto sahiba, at the residence of Victoria Schofield in London. For my parents, this was a surreal experience. For me, this afternoon embodied the love and light Mohtarma had left behind. Over the course of those few hours, the four of them shed tears, laughed, shared stories and immersed themselves in the cherished memories and extraordinary stories that SMBB’s life contained. Across my interactions with SMBB’s close companions, workers and family members, one theme has been consistent: No amount of hardship could dilute the purity of the compassion and empathy she felt for her people. It is extraordinary how she was able to retain kindness while faced with such glaring adversity.
In fact, despite her challenges, she always chose to forgive and move forward. In a twitter space organized last year for Mohtarma’s Birthday, ex Senator Farhatullah Babar sb, who had served closely to SMBB and continues to lead the Human Rights Cell of PPP, recalled how remarkably forgiving she was. While narrating the incident of a party worker who had, erroneously, gone to congratulate Mohtarma following a tragedy that had befallen one of her political rivals, he described the utter disappointment SMBB felt that any of her workers could rejoice on the misfortune of others, even her opponents. It is her political philosophy of reconciliation which eventually gave Pakistan’s fragile democracy its biggest victory in decades- The Charter of Democracy.
The COD embodies the democratic, reconciliatory and progressive ideology Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto struggled for. It was the coming together of civilian political forces, albeit opposing ones, for the larger goal, of the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. For this, Mohtarma exhibited political maturity and grace hitherto unseen. As a young woman, who had faced the multifaceted animosity stemming from dictatorship, misogyny, religious and ethnic bigotry, she still chose to remain committed to her philosophy of reconciliation, peace and democracy. Such is the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.
I often wonder what drew Mohtarma instantly to Main Baaghi Hoon. Perhaps it was the theme of a democratic, anti status quo struggle that resonated with her. It could also be the denouncement of religious bigotry and the vision of a tolerant and progressive Pakistan, which she often spoke about. Or the specific struggles faced by women under this patriarchal society, for which she undertook extraordinary measures during both her terms. Or perhaps it was the theme of impending martyrdom. Whatever the connection, I cannot think of any other person who personifies each and every word of that poem as perfectly as she did.
The most befitting tribute to Benazir Bhutto would be to continue the struggle for a peaceful, progressive and democratic Pakistan. As thousands of her workers gather to remember her on her birthday, each family carries the memories, stories and love passed down, and celebrate the extraordinary life she lived. Even after her passing, she serves as the unifying force that continues to bring people together.