Respect Bonds. Reject Borders.

‘Respect Bonds. Reject Borders’

By

J.L. Gupta

 

India remained under foreign domination, particularly of the English for a long time. We fought and ultimately became independent. In the fight for independence, we were all Indians. Not Christians, Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs. But while leaving, the English partitioned us into India and Pakistan. A man made border was created to divide what God had ordained to be one. Suddenly, the people were branded as Hindus and Muslims. The families and friends had to leave their homes, hearths and loved ones. They had to migrate to what are now India and Pakistan. As if the holocaust of partition was not enough, the governments have even inflicted the wounds of two wars on the innocent people.

 

Yet, the bonds are too strong to be broken. The facts prove it. Let us go back by a few years. It was March 2004. Indian Cricketers were going to Pakistan. The government had made it easy for the people to cross the border. Shireesh, my nephew is an adventurous youngman. He along with a friend, decided to visit Pakistan. And what an experience! He was full of praise for everyone. Particularly, the people.

 

            In the Stadium, he spotted his cousin Vivek with his wife Pooja. Both of them were also equally touched by the warm reception. The ‘Customs’ and the ‘Security’ clearances were quick. The hotel staff was helpful. The policemen at the Stadium were polite. And the people had gone out of the way to make every Indian feel comfortable, at home and welcome.

 

            The warmth was visible. Everywhere. The taxi drivers; the hoteliers; the wayside vendors and the shopkeepers, all refused to accept any money for the fare, food or the small souvenirs that they had picked up. The people greeted everyone with open arms and extended hospitality whole-heartedly.  An acquaintance had asked Shireesh and his friend over for dinner. It was a lavish spread. Even small sentiments were respected. No non-vegetarian dish was served.

 

            It was heartening to hear their experiences. And everything seemed so natural. After all, only some years back, all of us were together. We were one people. A single nation. Our ancestors had lived and grown up together. They had fought hand in hand for our independence. Spent the best part of their youth in jails. Made sacrifices. Finally, they had succeeded. But having achieved the goal, the politicians had put the people apart. 

 

 

Man to man, there is no bitterness. No rancour. Only bonds of love and affection.  Fortunately, the hatred created by the politicians has not permeated to the hearts of the people. And why not? We look alike. We eat and enjoy the same kind of food. Speak the same language. Wear similar clothes. There are old associations. Fond memories of good moments that some of us had spent together. Various incidents are still indelibly imprinted in our minds.

 

            I recall a comparatively recent one. Janab Qateel Shefai, the famous poet, had visited Chandigarh. To participate in a mushaira. A friend had hosted a dinner. I overheard Shefai Sahib ask one of the guests about a place called Samana. “You have some association with Samana?” I asked. “It is my native place,” was the reply. And on learning that I also belong to the same place, he gave me a very warm hug. “I would like to meet your father,” he said. And next evening, they met. Very warmly. Like long lost brothers. He touched my father’s feet. They talked nostalgically about Justice Munir and Justice Jameel Hussain, the two distinguished Judges from Samana who had migrated to Pakistan and made a mark in the field of law. About many others too. Also about the times spent together in Samana. The mutual love & regard were absolutely obvious. 

 

            Now, it is Sept, 2013. The Hindus and Muslims have been living together. Yet, we have witnessed some unfortunate clashes between the members of the two communities in India during the last few days. Over what? Nobody is able to tell. But precious lives have been lost. The loved ones have been done to death. Clearly, the human beings behaved worse than savage beasts.

 

Would such a conduct be approved by God or even by man himself? If not, why this madness?

 

Despite these stray incidents, the people have not forgotten the martyrs. The Tribune of Sept. 30, 2013 carries the following report on Page 13 - 

 

“Pak celebrates Bhagat Singh’s 107^th birth anniversary”

 

“Islamabad: Members  of the civil society celebrated the 107th birth anniversary of the  legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh on Saturday at Lahore’s Shadman Chowk where he was          hanged by the British in 1931. They cut a cake and held a vigil in his memory chanting “We want freedom” and “Freedom is our right”.  They also reiterated their demand to name the place after the freedom fighter and regretted that a local court had put on hold a decision by the government in this regard after opposition by an extremist group – TNS”

 

The report bears testimony to the fact that we remember and respect our martyrs. Is it not time that the people sat together to discuss and decide that violence can never help anyone. Is it not apparent that fanaticism and petty politics cannot resolve issues that really confront the people of the two countries? Is the conflict between India and Pakistan helping anyone except the manufacturers of weapons of war and destruction? The people of the two countries and the members of the two communities must embrace each other. Hold each other close to the hearts. Welcome each other warmly. We must resolve to ignore the politicians; work together to stop buying weapons of war and use the available funds to free the people from want and hunger. Let there be no hostility. Only hospitality. Let us all resolve to respect the old bonds and not be divided by the new man-made borders; be ambassadors of goodwill and peace. For the good of humanity.  For our own good.