ATP Quiz: Who Said This?

Adil Najam

This one should be easy. Too easy maybe. But, then, the purpose of these posts is not really to test your knowledge. It is – like everything on this blog – to initiate conversations. To kindle thought. And maybe remind ourselves of things we should never have forgotten in the first place.

Anyhow, don’t read too much into that little stream of consciousness. Just go with your instincts; sometimes the heart is a better judge of history than the mind!

My opponents sometimes say: ‘This man is a dictator; he has all the power in his hands.’ How? I do not know. After all, there always has to be someone finally in charge whatever the system, be it parliamentary or presidential, a monarchy or a dictatorship. There are many to assist but, in the ultimate analysis, one man has to take the final decision. This has been the case throughout history, and it is so even today all the world over. If the man is chosen by the people and if he is a good man, he has to be trusted and given full co-operation.

To my knowledge there has never been so much freedom in this country as there is today. ‘On a number of occasions I have been accused, abused, and vilified, subjected to all kinds of rumours and slanders, all thoroughly unjustified and untrue, by some of the biggest blackguards in the country, and I have swallowed it. I have put up with it for the simple reason that I want to nurse and protect the system. I will not allow it to be demolished.

Because this one is as easy as it is, we will hope that you will share with us not only who said this, but also why, where and in what context.