Assume you are 82 years old politician, who chose to retire from Parliament 11 years ago, but you are still active in politics and search of knowledge. Why do you think you would do that? Why would you retire from politics if you stay active in politics?
The answer comes from the life-style of a retired British politician Dr. Brian Iddon. I got to know of him when he joined my campaign to get me released from extra-judicial sentence imposed by the British interior minister in Mhatre Murder Case, an Indian diplomat killed by someone who was never caught.
Dr. Iddon retired from Parliament in 2010 after three successive terms, giving chance and space to British-Pakistani lady Yasmin Qureshi to succeed him. Many Asians in his constituency were surprised that Dr. Iddon retired from Parliament, but not from politics. He has remained active ever since and supported his successor and local councilors as well. He would attend all important meetings. He wrote a book titled Science & Politics after his retirement in which he gracefully wrote a chapter on my case which I won in the European Court of Human Rights in 2004 and was released in 2005. Dr. Brian Iddon and I remained in touch with each ever since my release though he lives in the UK and I live in Azad Kashmir. We remained connected not because of political interests, but because of political views and vision we share. That VISION is COLLECTIVE GOOD and respect for Humanity which knows no boundaries. We both believe in empowering people to stand for themselves rather than exploiting them like many self-servung politicians do. A politician with true democratic nature chooses the right moment to retire and gracefully makes the space for younger successors to come forward rather than clinging to power till death.
Another reason is that a person with skills, knowledge and substance has no fear of leaving politics, because there are lots of other useful things to do in life. Recording history and sharing knowledge is one such great thing to do. Dr. Iddon published his first book titled “Science and Politics” after his retirement. In his recent letter to me, he said he and his wife are not well. Both of them have just come out of bouts of bronchitis followed by a bout of Covid-19 (omicron variant) as well but still managed to finish a 7-volume series entitled Bolton’s Labour Members of Parliament. There have been 25 of them so far since 1902. I wish Dr. Iddon and his wife good health and Long life to share their knowledge and memories with people they care for do much.
Quayyum Raja's full official name is Abdul Quayyum Raja, but the British press shortened his name when he was arrested in connection with an Indian diplomat kidnapped by his fellow KASHMIRIS in Birmingham in 1984 to save the life of a Kashmiri Hero Muhammad Maqbool Butt hanged by India and buried inside Tihar jail on 11 February 1984. Quayyum Raja is from Azad Jammu Kashmir administered by Pakistan. He acquired various qualifications from EU and UK, including a Master in Psychology & Social Sciences, Journalism and Modern World History. He supports both Pan Islam and Pluralism, which may sound a contradiction, but he claims he can draw a balance. Quayyum Raja spent about 22 years in British jail extra-juducially as a Kashmiri political prisoner. He was released by the European Court of Human Rights on 17 May 2005. He has travelled extensively both before his captivity and after his release.
