Governance and politics have existed since ancient times. Politics was practiced when India was a 'golden bird', and it was practised during the Mughal and British colonial periods as well. Through all these times, politics managed to yield positive results overall but the division of the country in the 20th century was like a volcanic eruption of death and destruction.
Lured by prospects of a golden future of independence, Indians gulped down the poisonous drink of partition. But we continue to remain haunted by the question of whether or not it was necessary. What were the pressing needs to divide the land into two pieces? Who all were responsible for the division and who all were not?
I feel the need to raise this question not to dig up bones, but to prevent the success of such conspiracies in the future. Even today, there is no shortage of claimants of division and further partitions of this land. Some groups are working towards it openly, while others are making efforts in this direction while in disguise. That is why, discourses on the partition of India continue to remain relevant. Also, we must never forget about the lives lost and the people displaced due to the partition.
Sunil Thakur
The writer is a student of M.A. Political Science at Himachal Pradesh University and a former student leader. Views are personal.
Photo by Darshak Pandya from Pexels
Comments