TOBA TEK SINGH: The autobiography of 90-year-old veteran leftist Chaudhry Fateh Mohammad ‘Jo Hum Peh Guzri’ has been published.

This book contains history of Left-wing politics and struggle of peasant and working classes since the Independence. He has highlighted mistakes and trends in the movement of the Left.

The book also contains views of intellectuals I.A. Rehman, Abid Hassan Minto, Prof Azizuddin Ahmad and Prof Nazir Tabassam regarding the struggle of Chaudhry Fateh Mohammad.

“I have described honestly the political environment and the incidents I have witnessed over the years,” Chaudhry writes in the book.

“I have dreamed along with hundreds of thousands of comrades of a social change in Pakistan. Throughout our lives we have tried for this social change but despite all our efforts, unfortunately, our dream has not yet come true but I do not have any regrets.”

He believed, like Lenin, that social changes took place not in centuries but in decades, hoping that the future generations would see the change for the collective good.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan secretary general I.A. Rehman wrote that from the Communist Party to Awami Workers Party, Chaudhry Fateh Mohammad had been a part of many Left-wing parties. “This book is written by a person who loves the truth and he details the formation of various groups as well as effects of factionalism and opportunism in the movement. Describing these details, the author’s bitterness shows in his writing.”

Abid Hassan Minto wrote that the book had dealt with the peasant movement. Despite his age and bad health, Chaudhry had undertaken this important task, he said, adding that the author activated the peasant movement throughout the country, organizing several peasant conferences at various places.

Prof Nazir Tabassum, a progressive writer from the UK, reminded how Chaudhry was sent to organise the workers movement in Lyallpur (Faisalabad) as a full-time worker. He was imprisoned and tortured in Lahore Fort where communist leader Hassan Nasir was tortured to death.

Progressive intellectual Prof Azizuddin Ahmad said it was an important document on the history of the Left in Punjab. It was also a basic text in relation to the peasant movement with Chaudhry as a key in it. “This book highlights the external as well as internal weaknesses which harmed the movement of the Left.”

Chaudhry resides at Chak 305-GB, some 16km from here. He has five sons, two daughters and 18 grand children.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2016