Since Bhutto, Pakistan has seen exponential progress
in the scale of irrationality of its rulers. It is easy to prove. Analysis makes every previous ruler seems more balanced than the one under
consideration.
I have no qualms vis-à-vis Imran Khan, he seems to be a
harmless man in a wrong job, at a wrong time. Pakistan establishment (Army + ISI)
is discrediting Paki politics.
I have spend good two years watching Pakistan TV shows,
listening to their intellectuals and Jihadis alike with a purpose of
understanding the country & its psyche. My conclusions are no different
from those of Hussain Haqqani (Erstwhile Ambassador of Pakistan to US,
currently persona non-grata in Pakistan) or Tarek Fateh or Tahir Gora (Tag TV of
Canada). The only difference it has made for me is - I better understand why do
they say, whatsoever they do. They may have difference in styles of expression,
but take the emotional foil off the confetti, the content is largely alike.
They concur in analysis, though they differ in their to-do-list.
Two-Nation Theory meant that in a democracy, the majority, which in India would have been of Hindus, is bound to subjugate the minorities
that would have been Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, Parsees etc. In short
the fathers of Pakistan – M. A. Jinnah and before him famous poet Iqbal were
confused between nation states and theocracies.
So be it. Nations, like people, who manage them are irrational
entities. Pakistan can move on, but it doesn't. The challenge facing Pakistan is - an identity crisis. They are in what
Rolf Dobelli (in his book 'The Art of Thinking Clearly') termed, the ‘Sunk Cost Fallacy’. It’s
like an addicted gambler’s tendency to bid more on loosing hands one after
other with a false conviction that his chances of victory next time are more
profound. Pakistan for reasons psychological, political and military is not
ready to bid adieu to two-nation theory, which stuttered through its very
inception, but is now mute and dumb. Yet, my friends in Pakistan are flogging a
dead horse.
Pakistan is born from the womb of fear and hence generations
have spent their lives awaiting affirmation or negation of Two-Nation Theory.
Pakistan, unfortunately has a losing hand either way. An affirmation of
two-nation theory means that Pakistan, having been aggregated from diverse
ethnic and cultural minorities, is unsustainable. A negation would mean that
Pakistan was unsustainable ab-initio.
By the swath of territory and people Two-Nation Theory
impacts, its stature and study is pretty dwarfed. Communism at its peak
impacted less than ½ billion lives. Two-Nation theory influences life of a
population three to four times more. Current paper is an analytical approach to
two-nation theory through analysis of all possible cases that could have
existed in undivided India. The method used is unique and systematic.
The Two Nation Theory
Vis-à-vis most nations, which are created through
establishment of political, politico-economic, ethnic, linguistic, historical
constraints, Pakistan is probably the only big nation created by religious
constraints. Two-Nation theory postulated that Muslims are a separate nation
that will not or cannot live in a democratically elected secular society, in
which there is a non-muslim majority. A majority which could (as was Iqbal’s
& Jinnah’s suspicion) theoretically exert hegemony on Muslim minority.
False simplification has it that there were two camps
pre-Independence – Maulana Azad our great leader and first education Minister, was
from the secular India camp – wanted an undivided united democratic India. M.
A. Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, having being ousted in Congress
(the predominant political party) by younger and more agile Jawahar Lal Nehru was
in the two-nation camp to which he subsequently pushed Nehru as well. Albeit,
with different reasons and differing gusto.
These might be simplistic and clear options for the elite.
Nevertheless, for the masses, this is oversimplification. “History is written
in black on white. Written history guts shades, narrated – accuracy”. This
over-simplification of history is rooted in the fallacy that draws focus on the
leaders of the two sparring camps. People treated as petty constants are largely
left out of the equation in which leaders are the only major variables of consequence
and concern. Let’s for a moment omit leaders from the 1946-1947 India. Since
the demand for a separate nation was that of Muslims, let’s examine all
possibilities amongst Muslims of undivided India. There apparently would have
been much more than two camps. Simple analysis shows the following forums for
those Muslims, who live or lived in currently Indian territories of undivided
India. They had largest possibilities and hardest choices to make. Let’s denote
this category as ‘MII’ (stands for Muslims in India). The other Category would
be Non-Muslims who lived in current Pakistan of undivided India. Let’s denote
this category as ‘NMP’. The only other possible category was that of Muslims in
current Pakistan. Let’s denote this category as ‘MIP’. Hindus in India expended
emotionally but socio-economically, they were unharmed.
Plain vanilla analysis shows that categories of people with
varying views on partition of India were much more than oft-quoted two. It is
important to mention that the classification of people as described below
relegates strictly to those who are from the generation that saw partition.
This analysis is not directly applicable to those born after Independence or in
70s or 80s and later. Generally, the later generations only get an indirect
camp influence through those, who actually survived partition. Nevertheless,
the categorization possibilities are presented below:
'2NT' stands for
belief in two-nation theory; 'Cat' for category; 'PMM' means Possessed Means to
Migrate (to Pakistan from India or vice-versa);
'MIG' means Migrated (to Pakistan from India or vice-versa); 'NA' stands
for Not Applicable.
n close analysis of all the aforementioned can be divided into six broader categories
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Comment
Defines class of people
and their possible view
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1
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
Yes; PMM - Yes; MIG - Yes
This is the category of affluent Muslims of India, many of
whom went and controlled Pakistan. Taking along and forcing Urdu over
Pakistan probably because it was written in Arabic script. Ethno-culturally,
what they did to local communities of Pakistan is no less than a cultural
invasion. A language imported from India (Urdu) which was not popular among
masses was declared the official language of Pakistan, while the local
languages were literally suppressed.
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2
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
Yes; PMM - Yes; MIG - No
These can be termed as those who remained compassionate
towards Pakistan within India. The class of people, whom orthodox Hindu
people disliked & constantly questioned their patriotism. These were
either very pragmatic class of Muslims or just slothful ones (it is not a
community attribute, there are more slothful Hindus!)
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3
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
Yes; PMM - No; MIG - No
These are poor Muslims, who were easy to tutor by leaders like
Jinnah. They believed in the Muslims being a separate nation, but did not
have the means to migrate. These too probably lived with empathy towards
Pakistan, but I would believe that such people are easily molded and would
change their stance, pragmatically, if/when convinced.
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4
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
Yes; PMM - No; MIG - Yes
These were those Muslims, who believed in two-nation theory,
and were forced out of India owing to mayhem that followed partition. Sorry
for them. They were poor when in India and remained poor post-migration.
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5
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
No; PMM - No; MIG - No
These were poor Muslims who followed leaders like Maulana
Azad. And stuck to India, because their leader asked them to. Some of them
would have had love of their motherland, belief and conviction that they can
co-exist with Non-Muslims.
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6
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
No; PMM - Yes; MIG - Yes
These were above average people or well-heeled people,
especially in Indian Punjab, who were uprooted in the mayhem that followed
partition and had to migrate for fear of their lives.
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7
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
No; PMM - Yes; MIG - No
These were above average Muslims, who were educated, knew what
was happening in Europe and America post WW-II & believed in Secular
values.
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8
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CAT - MII; 2NT -
No; PMM - No; MIG - Yes
These were the worst, who were hit by riots and uprooted from
India. They were forced by circumstances to migrate, though they did not want
and had no means, and probably many of their generations are destitute &
still struggling in Pakistan.
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9
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CAT - MIP; 2NT -
Yes; PMM - NA; MIG - NA
This is an apparent class of people, who lived in Pakistan and
favoured to separate from India. Interestingly, there is little evidence of
this class being in majority as the Muslim League, proponent of two-nation
theory had lost elections in this area in the years preceding independence.
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10
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CAT - MIP; 2NT -
No; PMM - Yes; MIG - Yes
We seem to ignore this class but in reality there are many
cases where Muslims migrated to India, partly because their most relatives
were here and because they did not believe in two-nation theory.
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11
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CAT - MIP; 2NT -
No; PMM - Yes; MIG - Yes
This class is there in Pakistan, though muted, who were well
to do, did not believe in two nation theory, but went along with the flow,
with little options for themselves. This is a substantial class in Pakistan,
including A. G. Khan (Frontier Gandhi) & his followers.
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12
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CAT - MIP; 2NT -
No; PMM - No; MIG - Yes
Small though, but must have been there. Who believed in
secularism and India or just shifted to India because of relatives here.
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13
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CAT - MIP; 2NT -
No; PMM - No; MIG - No
These are poor followers of leaders like Frontier Gandhi.
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14
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CAT - NMP; 2NT -
NA; PMM - Yes; MIG - Yes
These are the Hindus that overcame the partition tragedy
pretty fast.
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15
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CAT - NMP; 2NT -
NA; PMM - No; MIG - Yes
These are the poor Hindus who were uprooted and took lots of
time to recover. They are inclined away from Muslims. There number is small.
But they exist, especially among Punjabis.
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16
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CAT - NMP; 2NT -
NA; PMM - No; MIG - No
These are the poor minorities of Pakistan, who reduced from
25% to 2.5%.
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n close analysis of all the aforementioned can be divided into six broader categories
(i)
Those,
who believed in two-nation theory & voted for it with their feet as they
had the means to migrate to Pakistan and re-establish themselves over there
earnestly or by deceit (there have been cases of Nawabs getting land in
Pakistan in exchange for the land they never lost in India). These were
ideologically convinced people. Ideology is a rich man’s affording. Poor masses
do not afford any handicap in their daily battle for bread and butter. While,
most of these people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh voted with their feet, yet
they have been left unassimilated in the land of their new homes & hopes.
(ii) Those,
who believed in two-nation theory & voted for it with their feet
notwithstanding complete lack of means to even migrate to Pakistan.
(iii)
Those,
who believed in two nation theory, voted for it in earnest, but were without
means to vote with their feet or just were slothful.
(iv)
Those,
who didn’t believe in two nation, but were forced to migrate to Pakistan (owing
to riots and mayhem that followed).
(v)
Those,
who did not believe in two-nation theory in earnest & decided to live in
India by virtue of their intellectual ideals.
(vi)
Those,
who were completely oblivious about two-nation theory or other such theories
& were more bothered about attending to the need of earning the next meal.
It will be very difficult to ascertain today what might have
been the proportion of these categories, but it is apparent that undivided
India had more than two camps in practice. But one conclusion that can be drawn
without fear of being wronged is that an overwhelming majority of categories
which required uprooting people from the land of their forefathers would be an unhappy
lot against such an action – in both the parts of undivided India.
It is a sorry state of affairs, but fact is that none of our
leaders from both the sparring camps were visionary & astute politicians.
Division of India was avoidable or at least more sensibly managed.
Pakis have failed to uncloak the two nation theory under
whose wraps they have subsisted. Indeed, it is the utter failure of the
two-nation theory within Pakistan that the Pakistani establishment wants to
vindicate it in Kashmir. It is important for all of us Indians to fight
Kashmiri radicalism with full force, while the State should take strictest
measures that it needs, to take to secure the nation and its people. We the
people of India, irrespective of religion have to fight this radicalism through
concern towards our Kashmiri brethren and not by hating or alienating them.
There has to be a segregated approach of Indian State (which has to secure
India's integrity) and ours, the people of India. We should be concerned about Kashmiris.
Continuing in the same streak of analytical approach, we need
to identify various categories of people in the South Asian subcontinent. The
mistake our forefathers did in oversimplifying undivided India has to be
strictly avoided. It is immensely critical to understand that citizens of
undivided India including Kashmiris are not a uniform lot. There are much more
than the three camps that are perceived – Kashmiris wanting to join India, or
Pakistan or be an independent nation.
Category 1: Pakistanis, supporting terrorism under the garb of jihad
& want India balkanized. One can safely assume Pak Army + ISI as one of
them.
Important note: It is important to mention that we in India understand
jihad as spiritual seeking, as in Sufi Islamic reevayat. In Islamic Pakistan,
physical fight is a more prevalent comprehension of Jihad.
Proposed Action: Shun them, pour your iRage over them. iDecimate them. Let
the Indian State/Army, do whatsoever it feels is needed to be done, to them.
They are in skillful hands of Indian Generals.
Category 2: Pakistanis, who support their establishment (Pak Army + ISI),
but are against terrorism.
Proposed Action: Don’t bother about them, they are simpletons, who do not
know that this very Pak Army + ISI (duo) is the womb of terrorism. They are not
worth your rage & time. Neglect them. I am unsure, though it seems that this
class includes the Right Honest P. M. of Pakistan.
Category 3: Pakistanis, who do not support their army, are against
terrorism, but can’t do anything, apparently – there is little room for
thinking souls.
Proposed Action: Invoke them, support them, they are sensible people. They
need our support to fight military hegemony within their own society.
Category 4: Kashmiris, who prefer dying for global terrorism, then to
live in India, because they believe in two-nation theory.
Proposed Action: Don’t worry about them, these ambitious and aggressive men/women
will achieve their former goal with provocation from Pakistani deep state &
terrorist outfits and with good help & support of Indian security forces.
Category 5: Kashmiris, who are secular & do not believe in two-nation
theory, but are sick & tired of Army subjugation in Kashmir.
Proposed Action: The army should be taken out of Kashmir at earliest
possible, but on sensible opportunity. Constant presence of Army has reduced
the value, and authority of Army (hence, stone pelting). Build garrisons,
around towns, and let army recede there. Bring them in only when needed. Each
of their visit should mean business. Army should recoup both - respect & fear
of Kashmiris.
To many others – propose them in your social media posts to
migrate to other parts of India. Those already in India – please treat them
with respect and compassion. They are our compatriots. We should listen to
them, help & support them. And demand respect and honour from them for
India in return. And if they don’t do it, give them time. Pushing &
pressurizing them will only alienate them further defeating us in our goals.
Remember, ideology plays itself out only across decades. Smaller
frames of time - measured in events and seconds seem unimportant in the larger
scheme of things. Don’t do this mistake! Like in voting one vote seems to
matter not, but when millions vote, they decide who governs them & through
this process the history of their nations and compatriots. Great achievements
are made from small events that are done rightly!
The power of this vote is with us – Indians. We got to vote
right by taking right & compassionate actions instead of ‘putting our own
Kashmiri brethren in their right place’. Every act of compassion will be our
vote in an Indian Kashmir 5 decades from now.
Category 6: Kashmiris, who believe in two nation theory, but are
enjoying the perks of Indian citizenship, living and working in Kashmir (Indian)
but are double-faced.
Proposed Action: Don’t worry about them, they are pragmatic souls, they will
always sit on the side of the mighty subsequently, which will be India. Don’t
waste time on them. They are as slippery to hold and as dangerous to eyes, as soap.
They can harm their own brethren for their benefit. Keep them away. We have
just to learn to live with them & hope they win green card lotteries and
migrate west.
Category 7: Kashmiris, who believe in two nation theory in earnest and
are living in Kashmir.
Proposed Action: Propose a VRS (voluntary retirement scheme from India) – sensible
amount of money be paid to them to migrate to Pakistan/PoK. The amount per
family should be kept on increasing till it reaches levels that makes many
think. This will be an interesting exercise as it will
(a) showcase how attractive Pakistan is as a migration
hotspot. At least it will make it apparent to the world the threshold below
which no one migrates to Pakistan;
(b) improve the lot of those two-nation theorists in Kashmir,
who decide to migrate with money and be Indian Nawabs in Pakistan;
(c) Reduce the population of Jehadi-minded separatists in
Kashmir;
(d) And really get us all to know, how genuine is Pakistan in
its love of Kashmiris;
(e) I suspect some might latch on to the scheme. And do not
be afraid of payment, it is worth it. We lose much more in security, peace and non-development
of Kashmir. Following the VRS Integrate Kashmir fully and completely into India
with those left over;
Importantly, for few rubble-rousing, simpleton compatriots of
mine, available in ppm (parts per million) in India like any other country - Muslims
in rest of India have as much to do with Kashmiris, as I have to do with
Martians. Let’s ensure we are not only - one nation, one people; but over that
- a smart one. Smartness in current situation means distinguishing a rotten
apple from a good one and not oversimplifying camps of people in view of
situation in Kashmir, post amendment of Article 370 & 35A of Indian
Constitution.
