Flash back, 1947--- The freedom struggle against the British in India was almost successful and then to the dislike of many and the likes of some others it was decided to divide India into two parts -The Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. And the two unfriendly neighbours who have already fought three full-scale wars are on the verge of another war…
One must take into account the fact that the founding father of Pakistan- Mohammed Ali Jinnah was once a member of the Indian National Congress (which was the main front for the freedom struggle) and stood for a united India and Pakistan. He then switched to the Muslim League which demanded a separate state of Pakistan. Before India was partitioned, General Pervez Musharaf, the current President of Pakistan, lived in New Delhi which is the capital of India.
In 1885 the Indian National Congress(INC) was formed with the blessings of the British to provide the British with insight into problems of the Indians and help consolidate their holdings in India. Within 20 years of its formation the INC began demanding independence, the forum that was to help the British turn into their biggest nightmare. With the rise of nationalist leaders within the ranks of the INC, ordinary people joined the working of the INC which was until then reserved for the upper class of society. When the INC developed into a prominent force against the British, the British decided to create a rift between the harmonious relations between the Muslims and Hindus in India. The State of Bengal which comprised of large populations of Hindus and Muslims was divided into West Bengal (the current Indian state of West Bengal) and East Bengal(currently Bangladesh and was East Pakistan until 1975) in 1905, effectively splitting the Hindu-Muslim unity.
Furthermore, in 1906 the British blessed and promoted the formation of Muslim League to counter the freedom struggle led by the INC. Thus the Muslim League was born…..
When the British left the subcontinent, the Princely states(about 600 in number and were ruled by small princes who owed their allegiances to the British) were left with a choice of either joining India or Pakistan or to remain independent. While most of the Princely states decided to merge with India, the Ruler of Jammu & Kashmir was reluctant to do so. There were nationalist movements within the State of Jammu and Kashmir against the Maharaja(King) of Kashmir. Meanwhile Pakistani raiders began invading Kashmir while it was still under the control of the Maharaja. The Maharaja had no other alternative but to call in India. The Maharaja and Sheikh Abdullah who was the leader of the nationalist movements against the Maharaja agreed to accede to India on 26th October 1947. Since then Jammu and Kashmir has become an integral part of India although Pakistan calls it ‘disputed territory’.
Following the investigations into the vicious attack on the Indian Parliament which is the symbol of sovereignty and freedom in the world’s largest democracy, it has become clear that two Pakistan-based terrorist groups had plotted the destruction of the Indian Parliament. Further investigations reveal that the Pakistani military intelligence had trained these terrorist groups. This leaves the countries on the brink of war.
I don’t mean to paint a bleak future, but peace between India and Pakistan would never come to be…… that is a fact…. The two nuclear-capable rivals will be rivals…
I am an Indian citizen currently residing in the United Arab Emirates. The events described are from knowledge acquired over the years. The dates have been obtained from history textbooks.
« geri dönün.