The unseen story

I read an article the other day about Jaswant Singh’s expulsion from BJP on ground of his releasing a book which contained his views on the political scenarion during the time of the India-Pakistan partition. Apparently, in his “controversial” book, Singh has been appreciative of Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s pre-partition efforts to bring Hindu and Muslim rights at par and he believes it was actually Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru’s adamant attitude that led to the partition.

The entire episode has created a national row of views and opinions regarding who played which part in the historic event which led to the breaking up of a nation which had until then stood united, even in troubled tims as had happened during the struggle to obtain freedom from the british regime. If one reads through all articles that have come to light after Jaswant’s exit, there are many hidden facts that have un-earthed.

Books have been published by Indian writers in the past which have highlighted the same mis-conception of the people that it was Jinnah who was the person who actually led to the partition. But they never could manage to gather as much public attention as this event. In the midst of the debate, several people have put forth their views. Former RSS chief K S Sudarshan has said that the Pakistan founder had
“many facets” and that at one stage, he was with Lokmanya Tilak and was committed to a unified India.

“There were many facets to Jinnah. If you read history correctly, he was with Tilak and was committed to a unified India. If (Mahatma) Gandhi had insisted that Partition would not happen, then it wouldn’t have happened,” he said this on being asked if the Muslim League leader was secular.

Recalling that Gandhi had started the Khilafat movement with the idea that the fight was against the British and if Muslim joined in then their support will help gain independence, Sudarshan said, “But at that time, Jinnah opposed it saying that if the Caliph in Turkey has been dethroned what has India got to do with it. “Then nobody listened to him. This saddened him. So he quit the Congress and left for England and only returned in 1927,” he said.

In my opinion, Jinnah stood strong to protect the rights of Muslim’s in India at a time when the country was being led by people who were bent on giving Hinduism the lime-light ignoring the minority communities, of which Muslim’s were then a part. Jinnah did what any man would do to protect his rights to live in a free world. He had the courage out of the thousands of Muslim’s to stand up and fight for not only himself, but also for others of his kind. Aren’t there other politicians today who do the same? Why aren’t they then seen with the same hatred?

It could all have been solved peacefully if Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru had been a little more considerate and had listened to what Jinnah was proposing. Instead, he stubbornly denied all Jinnah’s pleas to grant Muslim’s the same rights as Hindus and allow him a respectable position in the cabinet so that he could always be there to make sure the Muslim community equally got what Hindus got. But when no-one heeded his voice, he did what any other person would do… revolt!

Since then, the unrest has never ceased. Uncountable number of lives have been lost in this mad anger at each other. But no-one understands that in the fight, its the people, us, who suffer… us who die. So why not stop the fight?

The BJP has expelled Jaswant Singh on this ground regarding his thoughts going against the nation and has once again re-stated (very morally incorrectly) the long-held mis-conception instead of trying to bring peace between the two communities. That’s what the political parties are supposed to do aren’t they.. bring peace? And why do the politicians forget so easily that the nation is built of all the religions….. it is home to all different religious beliefs. Thats why India is called secular! Everything would be so much better if the people driving the country would foster peace and mutual understanding, clearing the doubts and mis-conceptions in people’s minds, instead of giving air to the fire burning in their hearts.

There are people who are with Jaswant in this and there are those who are against his entire theory. But surely, in my opinion, a respectable man like him who has at one time held the some of the highest positions in union power, should have been given a more valid reason to leave the party which he had so dutifully served for over 20 years. That too, in a way that wouldn’t have seemed rude.

According to news reports, he was informed over the phone that he needn’t attend any party meetings from now on and was officially “expelled”. His work, dignity and reputation through the years was challenged by the very wasy in which he was given exit. All because he dared to express his thoughts. In our country which we so proudly call “free”, freedom of speech it seems has become a very restricted and confined act. Quite ironical!!