The creation of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been the subject of debate and discussion since the very creation in 1947. This has been no doubt a result of the rise of the Muslim sub nationalism that grew along with the Freedom Movement of India against British Imperialism. The dream of Mohammad Ali Jinnah who is called Quaide-Azam by the people of Pakistan had dreamt of a homeland for the Muslims that was to be Secular which when created wanted a liberal Islamic state where the minorities too enjoyed an almost equal status. The concept of Pakistan as perceived by Jinnah was certainly not all that incorrect as it is projected to be by many critics and analysts nevertheless the nation after their creation was not able to move with the expected degree of success as had been expected by the creators. The problem that arose and the question unanswered is not with regard to creation of Pakistan whether a mistake or not a mistake but where exactly the nation that is Pakistan could not be and what it should have been? The untimely death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the tragic assassination of their first prime minister Liaqat Ali proved to be a major political setback that affected the growth of democracy in that nation as the successive leadership could not give the desired direction to the newly formed nation including the development of democracy. The Hindu Muslim divide that was one of the basic reasons which was deepened by the British through their policies and the Communal Award of Ramsay Mac Donald; the British premier; finally took its toll with the partition of British India. The communal frenzy on either sides the victims of which were not just Muslims but Hindus and Sikhs in equal measure and women and innocent children became targets of senseless mob fury. The question of the creation of Pakistan whether a mistake or having been inevitable is a subject that can be discussed and debated to endless limits. However the question that remains and remains unanswered even after sixty six years of independence is the reason behind the creation of Pakistan. The discrimination of Muslims in undivided India at many affluent Hindu families was a cause of resentment which did play a role in dividing the nation. Indeed Hindus and Muslims despite all affinities during the nineteenth and early twentieth century had developed serious differences which the leadership of that time was not able to pay the desired or required attention perhaps because of their focus having been independence from the British rule hence never was the idea of mending the fences between the two religious communities ever put into execution. The divide created as a result of partition further deepened a negative patriotism among the two neighbouring countries towards one another which was exploited by the hawks. The relationship of India and Pakistan that had begun on a not very cordial note with distrust, disharmony, disregard, animosity and antipathy as the primary features remained a regular political phenomena for almost six decades. The entire gamut of bilateral relationship and the yardstick of patriotism had been the degree of animosity, distrust, dislike and antipathy a person on one side held towards the other side or the international boundary. These features of bilateral relationship proved to be most conducive for the hawks on either sites to realise their political ends by keeping the passions on either sides burning on an equal degree. The realisation with the period of time had begun to dawn during the late seventies and eighties of the last century which was however not strong enough to push forward the movement of amity, trust and friendship and above all the idea of an Asian Fraternity as an identity. There were and have been other forces that have ensured the continuance of a not very cordial bilateral relationship between the two neighbours in order to ensure the fulfillment of their economic interests among which the arms lobby in the West was a major player and still continues to be one. An Indo-Pak friendship, infact a Sino-Indo-Pak friendship is the biggest challenge that poses a threat to the vested interest of those external forces who desire to continue their influence over Asia. There have been various incidents not very fortunate to discuss with regard to the happening on the Indo-Pak diplomatic front as well as on the international boundary which have further coaxed the hawks to move ahead with their nefarious dreams. With the two neighbouring nations having agreed to move ahead and have a comprehensive dialogue that off course shall take time to prove conclusive. The realisation that was required to bring the two neighbours closer has now begun to dawn which is the ray of hope and optimism which needs to be safeguarded and the spark of amity and trust to be pushed forward with due earnest. This is the on going exercise that will continue in the economic, political and diplomatic interests of the two neighbouring countries and the responsibility of making this a success lies not just with the Governments of India and Pakistan but even the citizens who must strive towards achieving this goal. Pakistan must give a serious though to the issues related to the minorities as well as those Muslims who have migrated from India and are known as the Mohajirs in The Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In India off course the Muslims enjoy an equal status that all minorities enjoy under the Indian Constitution. This is just the beginning and the path is still a long way to go and miles to go before we sleep
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 14:39:31 +0000
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