As the nation celebrates Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary today, we remember him as a man of perseverance, determination, and great political acumen. But not many know that among his various qualities was also his humour.
According to a report in Dawn, in 1936-37, the Quaid came to Karachi to appear the court of Sindh. At that time, he was a well known figure and greatly revered among the Muslim masses. Such was his popularity that the court room was full, and the door had to be opened every hour so people could leave and come in. When the door was opened there was such a rush and noise that the judges were about to lose their temper. The Quaid spoke to the judges, “My Lords, these are my admirers. Please do not mind. I hope you are not jealous.”
On another occasion, the Quaid was at the Aligarh University when he was told that there was a student who could mimic him so well that if heard with closed eyes, it would appear that Quaid-e-Azam was speaking. The Quaid asked to meet the student. The student prepared for 10 minutes and came dressed in a sherwani, a Jinnah cap and a monocle. He then proceeded to address an imaginary audience, trying to imitate the voice, words, gestures, and the look on Quaid’s face. The Quaid was much pleased with the act, and when it ended, he handed his own cap and monocle to the student and said, “This will make it absolutely authentic.”
According to a report in Dawn, in 1936-37, the Quaid came to Karachi to appear the court of Sindh. At that time, he was a well known figure and greatly revered among the Muslim masses. Such was his popularity that the court room was full, and the door had to be opened every hour so people could leave and come in. When the door was opened there was such a rush and noise that the judges were about to lose their temper. The Quaid spoke to the judges, “My Lords, these are my admirers. Please do not mind. I hope you are not jealous.”
On another occasion, the Quaid was at the Aligarh University when he was told that there was a student who could mimic him so well that if heard with closed eyes, it would appear that Quaid-e-Azam was speaking. The Quaid asked to meet the student. The student prepared for 10 minutes and came dressed in a sherwani, a Jinnah cap and a monocle. He then proceeded to address an imaginary audience, trying to imitate the voice, words, gestures, and the look on Quaid’s face. The Quaid was much pleased with the act, and when it ended, he handed his own cap and monocle to the student and said, “This will make it absolutely authentic.”