Unveiling Censorship in Education Through Manto's Lens
- 25020004 Fatima Saeed
- Nov 26, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2023
(Even If I close my eyes, what do I do with my conscience?)
“میں آنکھیں بند کر بھی لو پر اس ضمیر کا کیا کرو”
Sadaat Hassan Manto uttered these famous words while defending his short stories on the charges of mentioning obscene words and scenes in his afsanay (short stories). His short stories and literary work consist of stories from pre-partition, during the Partition, and post-partition of the sub-continent. The sub-continent division marks one of the most brutal chapters in history, consisting of communal riots, massacres, abductions, and assaults. Both sides committed these horrendous crimes, and women suffered throughout. The mass abduction of between 100 and 1,000 women who suffered sexual abuse or were coerced into suicide to preserve their family’s honor is a tragic part of history. Following the Partition, many of these women did not return to their families due to their abductions. Instead, they were compelled to live with their captors, eventually bearing children.
It is crucial to remember that both Muslim and Hindu women faced this human tragedy. However, the narrative has shifted in our history books, and the other side has been portrayed as the villain. Most course books do not mention these sacrifices; if they do, there’s minimal mention. Storytellers and writers did write about this tragedy. Manto’s wide variety of literary works has a significant chunk of this tragedy.
Although, since the beginning, his work has been banned in Pakistan. For instance, when he composed his famous afsana, ‘Thandha Gosht,’ he was charged with obscenity.
In this short story, Manto delves into the violence of Partition, the intricacies of emotions, and the ensuing trauma. He particularly highlights women’s suffering during this era. In another afsana, “Khol Do,” he graphically recounts the rape of a young woman by those meant to rescue her, ultimately exploring the psychological impact on her. These narratives, along with others like “Toba Tek Singh,” “Kali Shalwar,” “The Dog of Tetwal,” and “Khuda Ki Kasam,” often go untaught and are dismissed as vulgar. “Toba Tek Singh” is another poignant tale on Partition by Saadat Hassan Manto that remains obscure in most Pakistani educational institutions due to the controversy surrounding Manto’s works. The man yearned for Toba Tek Singh while Sakeena lay on a stretcher, unconscious, suffering from abuse. Her father rejoiced simply because she was breathing. Nearby, a girl lay dead as Ishwar Singh choked, with Kalwant staring at him. Manto’s legacy endures through his stories that continue to voice societal concerns. From the tragedy of Partition to the daily cries of women suffering in silence—society turns a blind eye—Manto’s stories witness it all.
Even if Manto’s works are deemed inappropriate for school curricula, there is a noticeable lack of discourse on him in universities. This neglect of our literary figures has contributed to a decline in Urdu literature.
Manto has been translated into other languages, such as Hindi and English, and is read worldwide. He has made a legendary contribution to Indian partition literature.
What are your thoughts about Manto?
Have you studied his works in your courses?
Do you also view him as a controversial figure?