In the backdrop of current elections in the United States, my thoughts took me to another time and place.  Also, the talk of mass deportations reminded me of another mass migration and displacement of people to a country next door, in another era. History does seem to repeat itself.

India got its independence from Britain in 1947.  The father of the Indian Independence movement was Mahatma Gandhi, who had learned the lessons of intolerance the hard way.  He had personally experienced terrible prejudices, which inspired him to launch the freedom of India movement.  His goals and objectives were truly noble, three of which were – freedom through non-violence, a secular India for all religions, and no personal interest in power for himself.

Gandhi was the spiritual leader of the movement, but the political power lay in other hands, notably two: Jawahar Lal  Nehru, leader of the Indian National Congress, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League.

Before the Independence, India had two major religious constituencies, Hindus, which were in majority, and Muslims who were a small but significant minority.  India’s population at the time was around 390 million, comprised of approximately 74% Hindus, 24% Muslims, and 2% Christians.

The terms for Independence of India were being negotiated among three parties – the outgoing British, Indian National Congress, and Muslim League.  The leader of Muslim League wanted an independent nation for Muslims, carved out of new India.  

Gandhi wanted to avoid the partition of country at any cost.  He made every possible effort to prevent that outcome.  He even offered Jinnah to be the first prime minister of newly Independent India.   But Jinnah did not budge.  He wanted a separate nation for Muslims only, and that’s what he got – a brand new Pakistan, made up of Muslim majority areas in the Northwest and Eastern parts of India.

Everything was happening too fast.  British were in a hurry to leave, after being there  for over 300 years since 1608.  There were no plans for a systematic withdrawal.  After it was decided that India will be divided, maps were hastily drawn to mark boundaries of the two countries.  It is said that Sir Cyril Radcliffe drew the partition map of India overnight, over a few drinks of scotch whisky.

Maps were so haphazard that they split many communities apart, who were living harmoniously side-by-side for generations.  Neighbors became enemies.

Gandhi was completely distraught.  He couldn’t fathom what was happening, nor could he stop it.  So, he did the next best thing possible.  He proclaimed that any Muslims who wanted to stay in India were welcome to do so.  But Jinnah declared that Pakistan will be for Muslims only.

At the time of Independence on August 15, 1947, around 15-18 million people migrated  from one side to the other.  Nearly all Hindus came towards India, and around two-third Muslims left for the newly designated Pakistan. Some Hindus in Pakistan did not want to move, but were forced to leave.  Few even converted to Islam to be able to stay where they were. 

The population of undivided India in 1947 was around 390 million.  After the partition, there were 330 million people in India, and 60 million in the newly formed Pakistan, nearly equal divided between West and East Pakistan, which would later become Bangladesh.  It is significant to note that nearly 35 million Muslims chose to remain in independent India.

There was widespread violence during the post-partition migration and displacement in two countries. Over a million people were killed on both sides, both Hindus and Muslims.  

It was probably the greatest violent tragedy of our times, next only to the Jewish holocaust.

I do not see any distinction between what happened in India then, and what is going on today in various parts of the world.  

Large number of people have died and been displaced in the wars in the Middle East in recent years.  Either side can offer reasons and justifications, but no solutions.  Gandhi had once said, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”.  This is what seems to be happening in the world today.

Conflicts and wars have become huge industries.  There is more global investment in the world in developing increasingly powerful instruments of war, than solving human problems such as environmental issues or dealing with looming water and energy crises.

In the meantime, simple and innocent people keep suffering and dying, but rich and powerful keep getting richer and more powerful.  Power and greed prevails over humanity.  

I believe that people anywhere and everywhere mostly want to live in peace and harmony.  Why wouldn’t they? Does anyone prefers chaos and agony over peace.  But what real choice do people have?  Systems are locked in, and people are destined to just have to live in them.  

I can only set my own personal morals.  Live in peace.  Don’t intentionally hurt anyone else.  But, if I do, inadvertently, I beg forgiveness.

Conclusion 

India, a unified country, was split apart and divided in to two. Millions of people died, suffered, and are still suffering.  The heartache of them cannot be quantified.  The ones who left families and loved ones on the other side, still grieve for their homes, culture, neighbors, and loved ones lost and left behind.  

Were there any winners? It doesn’t seem so.  Jinnah, the architect of the partition of India, died of cancer a year after the creation of Pakistan.  Today, there are more Muslims in India than there were when Pakistan was created.

Since India was divided, the two countries have fought four wars.  Neighbors against each other.  Thousands have died.  Significant resources are spent continually on each side for border security and control.  There was no such cost when the countries were together.

Muslim culture is very rich.  I am a Hindu by birth.  But I love Urdu poetry, Muslim arts, and  great architecture that gave us treasures like Taj Mahal.  But now, only hatred and conflicts prevails for each other on both sides.

Some wars have been necessary in history, but most have been wars of choice, especially since World War II.  There are no winners in such wars.  Only temporary wins for some politicians, and continuing misery for the people caught between the egos and self interest of the few.

Humanity should be able to find a better way to live and coexist in peace and harmony. I like to have that hope.

Thank you.