INDIA: Convertible

In a country where deep political and religious convictions often lead to bloodshed, 74-year-old Abul Kasem Fuzlul Huq has a singularly open mind. Huq can be converted, and in the grip of conversion, can convert others. He can also be re-converted.

As president of the Moslem League, in 1916-19, 1921, pot-bellied Huq had helped to inflame Moslems with their first dream of Pakistan. But in 1943, when he lost the premiership of Bengal Province he was converted to the predominantly Hindu All-India Congress, turned like a tiger on the League and its president Mohamed Ali Jinnah.

Last summer, Huq failed to get a big Interim Government job despite a Congress recommendation, was naturally disappointed. When 200 Moslem students, armed with sticks and knives, politely urged him to rejoin the glorious fight for Pakistan, Huq was converted again. He made a new try for his old job as Bengal Premier, also launched a campaign to stop Mohandas Gandhi’s “neighborly” preaching in Bengal. Cried Huq: “I am surprised to see Moslems in Noakhali tolerating Gandhi peacefully!”

Then Huq lost the Bengal election, and Gandhi invited him down to discuss Huq’s view that Bihar Province needed the Mahatma more than Bengal. There, at Noakhali, old Huq had his supreme moment. He converted Gandhi, sent the Hindu saint packing off on a Bihar side trip. Huq announced that the Mahatma had converted him, too. Said Huq to a meeting of Moslems: “I intend to spend the rest of my life preaching good will among Hindus and Moslems.”