Dastoor (meaning constitution or tradition) is an Urdu nazm written by Pakistani poet Habib Jalib. The poem is also known as “Main Nahi Manta” and falls into the category of resistance poetry due to its powerful message and relevance. Dastoor was composed by Jalib in 1962 as a protest against a law introduced by the military dictator, Ayub Khan, in Pakistan.
Dastoor reflects the voice of an ordinary Pakistani citizen, frustrated by the constant undermining of the democratic process by the powerful.
In 1962, Ayub Khan implemented a law that shifted the election of the acting president to an indirect process via an electoral college rather than through direct democracy. The 1950s and 1960s were marked by harsh governance in Pakistan. Habib Jalib himself recited this poem in public, openly protesting the imposed law, and it quickly resonated with the people.
Dastoor soon became the anthem of resistance and protest. It is tragic that Habib Jalib’s Dastoor remains as relevant in 2024 as it was in the 1960s, reflecting the ongoing atrocities committed by the Pakistani army against its own people.
Read Dastoor lyrics in English and Urdu below:
دِیپ جس کا محلات ہی میں جَلے
چند لوگوں کی خوشیوں کو لے کر چلے
وہ جو سائے میں ہر مصلحت کے پَلے
ایسے دستور کو، صبح بے نور کو
میں نہیں مانتا، میں نہیں جانتا
[Deep jis ka mahalaat hi mein jalay]
[Chand logon ki khushiyon ko le kar chalay]
[Woh jo saaye mein har maslihat ke palay]
[Aisay dastoor ko, subah be-noor ko]
[Main nahi manta, main nahi janta]
A lamp that only shines in palaces
That takes away the happiness of a few
That grows in the shadow of compromise
Such constitution [tradition], such dawn without light
I will not accept, I will not acknowledge
میں بھی خائف نہیں تختۂ دار سے
میں بھی منصور ہوں، کہہ دو اغیار سے
کیوں ڈراتے ہو زنداں کی دیوار سے
ظلم کی بات کو، جہل کی رات کو
میں نہیں مانتا، میں نہیں جانتا
[Main bhi kha’if nahi takhta-e-daar se]
[Main bhi Mansoor hoon, keh do aghyaar se]
[Kiyun darate ho zindaan ki deewar se]
[Zulm ki baat ko, jahal ki raat ko]
[Main nahi manta, main nahi janta]
I am not afraid of the gallows
Tell the world I’m a martyr
How can you frighten me with prison walls
The matters of oppression, the night of ignorance
I will not accept, I will not acknowledge
پھول شاخوں پہ کھلنے لگے، تم کہو
جام رندوں کو ملنے لگے، تم کہو
چاک سینوں کے سلنے لگے، تم کہو
اس کھلے جھوٹ کو، ذہن کی لوٹ کو
میں نہیں مانتا، میں نہیں جانتا
[Phool shaakhon pe khilne lage, tum kaho]
[Jaam rindon ko milne lage, tum kaho]
[Chaak seenon ke silne lage, tum kaho]
[Is khulay jhoot ko, zehan ki loot ko]
[Main nahi manta, main nahi janta]
“Flowers are budding on branches”, that’s what you say
“Every cup overflows”, that’s what you say
“The wounds of the hearts have started to heal”, that’s what you say
These blatant lies, this insult to the intelligence
I will not accept, I will not acknowledge
تم نے لوٹا ہے صدیوں ہمارا سکوں
اب نہ ہم پر چلے گا تمہارا فسوں
چارہ گر دردمندوں کے بنتے ہو کیوں
تم نہیں چارہ گر، کوئی مانے مگر
میں نہیں مانتا، میں نہیں جانتا
[Tum ne loota hai sadiyon hamara sukoon]
[Ab na hum par chalega tumhara fasoon]
[Chara’gar dardmandon ke bante ho kiyun]
[Tum nahi chara’gar, koi maane magar]
[Main nahi manta, main nahi janta]
For centuries, you have stolen our peace
Your spell will no longer work on us
Why do you pretend to be the healer of the wounded?
You are not a healer, though some may believe
I do not accept, I do not acknowledge.