Analysis Of Iqbal And Radical Humanism

Iqbal feels a disease of inactivity (aboulie) and a moral crisis within him. He thinks, “Should he go out, face the mob and tell them in clear ringing tones that this was wrong- immoral?”(178; ch.4) He is sure that religion is not considered before the bullets. So, this play with the gun in the ring of religion is absolutely an irresponsible work against humanity. Ultimately, he can not go out and do something to stop the riot. Iqbal analyses the reason, “In such circumstances what can you do but cultivate an utter indifference to all values? Nothing matters. Nothing whatever…” (181; ch.4) So it is clear that Iqbal who thinks to be a follower of human values and a true worshipper of humanity, too, can not do anything but to remain indifferent and silent like Hukum Chand toward the crisis.

Iqbal and Radical Humanism-

Iqbal does not admit himself to be a comrade of The Communist Party of India. He refers to his party as Pupil’s Party. But his thinking and activities reflects M. N. Roy’s Radical Humanism. In his first

Humanism believes in the freedom of individual and in the appropriate application of law and order to ensure that freedom. The way Iqbal is arrested after showing a blank yellow paper, raises the issue of individual freedom. Iqbal is never a criminal but is arrested without any solid ground. He is heckled, insulted and is not given the scope to establish his view. His dignity is dashed to dust by the two constables who handcuff Iqbal’s two hands. The police arrest Iqbal for what reasons, they did not know. Iqbal wondered how the fundamental rights of the common innocent people are used to be suppressed by the police in the name of law. Iqbal strongly protested against such injustice, “…I am not a thief or a decoit. I am a political worker. I will go through the village as I am so that people can see what the police do to people they do not like” (58;