The History of Perpetual War

The History of Perpetual War

Indo-Pak Relations

Indo-Pak Relations

Soumi Banerjee

PARAMPAR

To My Parents
THE HISTORY OF PERPETUAL WAR : INDO-PAK RELATIONS

By SOUMI BANERJEE
Soumi Banerjee

First Published : 2016

ISBN 978-93-80869-93-3
Cover Design : Soumya Dutta
Typeset : Perfect Lasergraphics
2 Champatala First Bye Lane, Kolkata 12
Publisher : Goutam Das, Parampara Prakashan
20A Beniatola Lane, Kolkata 700 009, India
Print : Sidhyaswari Kalimata Press Kolkata 700009
e-mail : parampara13@gmail.com
website : www.paramparaprakashan.com
Price :

200.00 (South Asia), 12 (UK),

16 (EEA), $18 (Rest of the World)

Peer Reviewed

PREFACE
The main objective of this book is to study the
complex relationship between the two
neighbouring countries, India and Pakistan, who
once shared the same motherland, India, for
centuries. This book aims to enhance the
understanding of the changing dynamics of
relationship between the duo over the years
since the inception of the two as independent
nations and how over time situations grew so
intense that many on both sides of the border
still believe that it was next to impossible for the
devotees of both the religion to live together
harmoniously.
The book begins with the episode of
Partition and related holocaust that divided
British India into Hindu-majority India and
Muslim-majority Pakistan. It has also jotted the
stories of mutual genocide that broke out
between the two rival communities i.e., the
Hindus and the Sikhs on one hand and Muslims
th
on the other. Here the book dates back to 11
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century, discussing the rise of Islam in India

that resulted in an amalgam of Indo-Islamic
civilisation, and the rise of two big movements,
namely, Bhakti and Sufi. The book also focuses
on the British policy of Divide-and-Rule, which
is popularly believed as one of the major
reasons behind the Hindu-Muslim split.
Furthermore, the revivalist attitude among the
orthodox Hindus who believe that the long
history of Muslim invasions and rule is actually
responsible for destruction of past glories of
Hindu India. On the other hand, the growing
insecurities among the Muslims too acted as a
major hindrance towards uniting the Hindus and
the Muslims in one fold. Mere issues like
fighting over cow protection, Hindi-Urdu
language controversy, and many more drew
bloody border between the duo and hence Riots
were witnessed all over the country, notable
among them was the Calcutta Killings of 1946
th
on 16 August, which is popularly called as the
Direct Action Day where approximately 6,000
people lost lives in just 3 days and similar
bloodsheds were repeatedly noticed in the
borders of Bengal and Punjab, slaughtering
thousands of innocents.

resulted in four full-fledged wars till date

between the two and how contemporary
relations between the two are largely getting
affected by Cross-border terrorism. Kashmir
which has been described as heaven with its
picturesque landscapes, mountains, gardens and
above all its real asset, the cultured, intellectual
and beautiful locals, has now become a valley
that bleed blood with death, and terror by
planting the seeds of Islamic fundamentalism.
The book has also covered several other areas
of territorial disputes and matter of grievances
between Hindus and Muslims in India, namely,
the Ram Janmobhumi or Babri Masjid
controversy, 1998 nuclear test in Pokhran,
killing of Karsevaks and resultant Gujarat Riot
in 2002, 26/11 Mumbai attack and many others,
largely affecting the Indo-Pak relations.

The chapter following this discusses

extensively the numerous territorial disputes,
mostly centring around Kashmir as the bone of
contention between India and Pakistan which

The journey of writing this book has been

wonderful and in the process it has helped me
recognize the necessity to root out differences
in a society to prevent conflict and restore
peace and harmony. In this world ruled by soft
power, India and Pakistan should both
understand that the possession of nuclear
weapons is not at all necessary to peace, to
security, or to prosper is any field as such and
only cooperation can bring about positive
changes for enhancing quality of life of people
living in the region.

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I take this occasion to express my thanks

and gratitude to all those who have made the
publication of this book possible. The book
wouldnt have seen the light without Orance
Mahaldar, Prof Dr. Tridib Chakraborty, Ambar
Ghosh and few more who chose to remain
nameless here but whose critical appreciation of
my work and faith in me have enriched my
vision during this entire journey, providing me
with an inspiring platform towards development
and expression of my viewpoint.
This volume is dedicated to my parents, Mrs.
Dulu Banerjee and Mr. Achintya Kr. Banerjee
for their love, understanding, endless patience
and support. I finally invoke the blessings of
goddess Maa Kali, and release my book to be
a part of the academic family for consideration.

Introduction.........................................................1
Partition of British India.......................................5
The Rise of Islam In India................................10
British Policy of Divide And Rule .................14
Hindu Muslim Split & Hindu Revivalism........16
Formation of Muslim League............................21
Direct Action Day.............................................28
Indus Water Treaty...........................................30

Soumi Banerjee
January 2016, Kolkata

Construction of Wullar Barrage.......................32

Territorial Disutes In The Rann of Kutch.........33
Kashmir.............................................................34
Indo-Pak War (1965)........................................44
The 1971 War...................................................45
Terrorism...........................................................48

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Killings of Kashmiri Pundits 1986.....................56

Dispute Over Line of Control..........................60
Hindutva Ideology and the Ayodhya Dispute..61
Nuclear Test (1998) & Pakistans Respond....65
Kargil War (1999)..............................................68
Terrorist Attacks (2001)...................................73
Gujarat Riot (2002)...........................................74
Samjhauta Express Bombing (2007)...............76
Attack on Mumbai (2008).................................78
Conclusion........................................................80
Reference................................................97

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