How Hyderabadis protested the French occupation and bombing of Syria in 1945

Almost 80 years ago, in a largely forgotten chapter of Hyderabad’s history, organizations raised their collective voice against the French occupation and bombing of Syria, a country now facing socio-political upheaval and bombing by Israel.

The aim of the 1945 movement was to send a clear message to the British expressing the discontent of the Indian and Hyderabad Muslims towards the developments in Syria.

In a secret note circulated within the bureaucracy of the Nizam’s government, officials noted that there was discontent among “educated Muslims” in Hyderabad, and France sought permission to hold a public meeting as a protest against the handling of Syria.

The document records that two Muslim organizations in Hyderabad—Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan (a body of Muslim religious leaders) and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen earlier—passed resolutions condemning French actions in Syria. They criticized France for bombing the civilian population.

The issue gained traction, and Muslim organizations sought, and were granted, permission from the Hyderabad government to hold a public meeting to express their views on the situation in Syria. The meeting is organized daily in the office Sahifa

“The object and purpose of the meeting is said to be to draw the attention of the Government of India and Great Britain through the Political Department (sic). For the protection of the freedom and semi-independent government of Lebanon, Syria and Tripoli and to spread the spirit of the Muslims of Hyderabad State (sic) in the air,” a secret file reads.

This feeling was not confined to the state of Hyderabad. Citing the report of the Judicial, Police and Secretary-General dated June 1, 1945 Hindu. Many Muslims in Calcutta (now Kolkata), led by the Muslim League, condemned the French action in Syria and expressed solidarity with the Arab people.

One motion called on the British government to intervene. “Important resolutions regarding French action in Syria and Lebanon were passed at a public meeting held here last night when appeals were made to stop the wide spread between Muslims and their French attackers,” the report said. “Such meetings are often held in British India,” confirms a confidential file.

France’s refusal to hand over control of the armed forces to the Syrian government led to the 1945 bombing of Damascus and other Syrian cities. French forces bombed cities in the region first in 1925 and during the anti-colonial Great Syrian Revolt.