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Partition was a Madness

Adwait Singhai

Indeed Partition was Madness. Millions of Muslims and Hindus were forced to
migrate. They were forced to suddenly leave the place their families had habited
since centuries, abandon their possessions and snap relationships with all their
friends and family who were to stay behind. Thousands were murdered, raped
and kidnapped in this chaos. People from both the communities suffered.
The movie Garam Hawa analyses socio-economic scenario of Northern-India
post partition through eyes of a Muslim businessman who decides to stay in
India. Salim Mirza, a steadfast Muslim and a firm believer in Allah, is
strongly attached to his Indian roots. This movie sheds light on various areas
which make us ponder over the circumstances and need of Partition.
Unlike the general perception, there was a large Muslim faction considering
Indian land as their heritage as can been seen from Halims public remarks in
the movie. Halim later himself immigrates to Pakistan as he is apprehensive of
Sindhis and Punjabis migrating from Pakistan land. His fear and actions capture
the general mind-set of Indian Muslims post partition.
Muslim migration was influenced by competition of owing lands and factories
in Pakistan Land. Creation of J obs in Pakistan was driving force for Indian
Muslims. Halims son was jobless in Agra and hence was forced to immigrate
to Pakistan leaving his love interest behind.
The socioeconomic dominance of Hindu bureaucrats caused a mass segregation
and disparity among Indian population. Money lenders refused to provide loans
to Muslims and employers stopped employing them, State confiscated the
houses of those possessing no official ownership, making their life harder and
compelling them to migrate to Pakistan as an only solution. Muslims were
discriminated in India on the grounds of their religion, non-veganism, or the
fear of their migration. The movie entails the Muslim plight through Salim
Mirza and his struggles in keeping up with the new system.
Economy of both the countries deteriorated due to migration of work force,
distrust amongst co-workers from different communities, lack of capital etc.
Salim Mirzas business suffered because of these reasons. Muslim educated
youths like Sikander found themselves in dire jobless situations. The displaced
Hindus and Muslims had to fight for their rights. The struggle to survive and the
failure to do so, increasingly led to frustrated masses revolting with violent
means.
Based on the movie and articles about partition I surfed online, I would like to
draw following conclusions.
In undivided India, religion would have dominated political debate and
consensus on internal reforms would be hard to build. Struggle to keep the
country together, would have drained our resources and energy. Undivided
India would have separate electorates, the irreducible demand of the Muslim
League and the one that INC vehemently opposed.
The fault line of national politics in undivided India would have remained
Hindu versus Muslim. Muslim minority would have been subject to
discrimination on various grounds. Indian economy would have faltered
because of internal rifts and riots.
In a nutshell, Partition was a madness but a necessary one!

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