B. Tyabji was one of the prominent nationalist leaders of Bombay. Born in a family of Arab descent, he was educated first in a Muslim Madrasa and then in the Elphinstone institute of Bombay. His western education inspired him in the ideas of political freedom and equality and generated in him the spirit of public work and political aspiration.
He was drawn to politics in 1878 by Lylton’s notorious Vernacular Press Act. According to R. C. Majumdar, ‘the leadership of Tyabji greatly helped in the evolution of political ideas and organizations in Bombay’.
Tyabji had a big hand in organizing the Muslims. Along with his brother, Kamaruddin Tyabji, he organized the Saremaya-e-Jamat-e-Sulaimai’ to feed, clothe and educate boys of their own community who managed to get into Elphinstone High School. He was actively associated with founding of the Anjuman-i-Islam of Bombay and served as its secretary in 1877.
Tyabji was aware that unless the Muslims of India were united, they could not hope to achieve much. One means of fostering unity amongst them was the use of Urdu. Therefore, under his guidance, the Anjuman-i-Islam strove to promote the belief among Indian Muslims that Urdu was their language. Moreover, Tyabji was keen to minimize the sectarian rivalries among Muslims and stressed the unity between the Sunnis and Shias.
As a member of the Bombay branch of the East India Association, he strongly supports Lord Ripon and the Bill against the criticism of Anglo Indians.
He organized public meetings and launched a drive to collect signatures in support of the Bill. His commitment to the Indian cause enabled him to climb upwards both in his public life and in legal profession.
In 1882, Tyabji was appointed as an additional member of the Bombay Legislative Council for four years (1882-1886). During his tenure, he became more popular among the people by his eloquence and advocacy of their cause. The Indian members of the Council, enlivened its proceedings. They impressed all their intelligence and abilities of both the Bombay Govt. and Govt. of India.
B. T., P. Mehta and K.T. Telang founded the Bombay Presidency Association on 31 Jan 1885. As its inaugural, public meeting, T. gave expression to his political opinions.
According to him: ‘It is, I think, with the nations as with Indian's that with the growth of political life new aspirations arise and these aspirations require an organization to give them due expression and the organization in its turn watches, regulates, develops and directs national aspirations… We have awakened to a sense of our political rights and the distinctions of race, color and creed, which have so long and unfortunately divided us, have at last disappeared under the softening and enlightening influence of education’.
Tyabji actively supported the founding of the Indian National Congress in Dec 1885 and until his death in 1906, he was closely associated with it. He denied the charge that the Muslim community was not with the new organization. He rejected the feelers of the Govt. of Bombay and instructions of Syed Ahmed Khan to keep away from the Congress.
He opposed the proposed Mohammadian Conference as a rival to the congress. He urged fellow Muslims to join the congress and take part in its deliberations.
In dec 1887 at the Madras session of the Indian National congress Tyabji was elected as President. Tyabji in his presidential address, stressed this point and declared that he was moved to preside over the session in order to encourage Muslims to cooperate with Hindus for their common benefit. It was his considered view that ‘in regard to general political questions affecting India as a whole it is the duty of all educated and public-spirited citizens to work together, irrespective of their caste, color or creed’.
While upholding the freedom of the Muslims in religious matters, he urged them to be in the national stream in national activities as Indians. They should struggle along with their countrymen as one people for better govt., better treatment of Indians, less texts and better educational arrangements for all the communities.
As long as he lived, Tyabji remained a devout Muslim but with a liberal outlook. His devotion and loyalty ot the national cause was exemplary and he fearlessly withstood the displeasure of the Government and continued to be a leader of the Congress. However, after his elevation in 1895 as judge of Bombay High Court, Badruddin withdrew from public affairs. Tyabji along with P. Mehta and K. T. Telang remained a towering personality in the politics not only on Bombay but the national politics as well.
To quote Sir P. H. Mody: ‘…the brilliant triumvirate were carrying on a ceaseless campaign of reforms in every branch of the administration. From various platforms and though diverse organizations they labored to promote the public good in every sphere of public life’.
But as Massellos has pointed out, in spite of his outstanding position amongst the general public Tyabji's hold over his co-religionists remained weak and his position insecure.
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