India is called a subcontinent because it is the home of many religions, cultures and traditions. When it became obvious that the British had no other alternative but to grant independence, the only religious community that demanded partition was Muslims.
In 1947 partition turned the Indian subcontinent into secular India and Islamic Pakistan. The cause of partition was commented upon by many journalists. Historians have written books on the subject. Some held Muslims responsible for the partition while others blamed Hindus and ‘divide and rule’ policy of the British Raj. But the real cause is Islamising of India, i.e. conversion of Hindus into Islam. If there were no Muslims in India separatist movement would not have taken place.
Religious conversion changes people’s mind and psychology. Once converted to Islam the converts take Arabic names and identify themselves with the culture and tradition of the Middle East. They become virtual foreigners in their own country. If Muslims thought India was their home they would not have demanded partition of their homeland. They demanded to have a separate homeland. In other words they did not consider India as their home. They named their new home Pakistan – the land of the Pure. So the Pure had to separate themselves from the impure and infidels.
The same Muslim separatist movement is evident in Myanmar, Thailand, Philippine, Xinjiang province of China and Chechnya in Russia. It indicates people’s inability or unwillingness to live in peace and harmony with others or both.
Jatindra Saha
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