Author: KR Phanda
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: April, 25, 07
Apropos the article, "Rahul embodies
Gen-Next's dreams" (April 21) by Kapil Sibal, the writer has essentially
made two points: One, the Nehru-Gandhi family has made huge sacrifices for
the cause of freedom and, two, non-Congress parties have divided the country
on communal lines. There is no substance in these arguments.
Some 46 countries in Asia and Africa got independence from colonial rule after
India was freed in 1947. Many of them did not have a Gandhi or a Nehru to
lead their freedom struggle. A number of them did not even ask for freedom!
The British left India not because the Congress
forced them to, but because the Muslim League created such circumstances that
left the foreigners with no alternative. In his book Transfer of Power, VP
Menon, Advisor to Lord Mountbatten, wrote: "It was clear from the unyielding
attitude of the Muslim League that a united India would either be destroyed
or could only be won at the cost of a civil war. Secondly, it was hoped that
the establishment of a separate Muslim state would finally settle the communal
problem which had so long bedevilled Indian politics."
In the elections held in 1945-46, the Muslim
League won many seats both in the Central Assembly and provincial legislatures.
The British were thus convinced that the Muslim League alone represented the
Muslims of the subcontinent. Further, the Interim Government that was formed
in 1946 on the basis of the parity between the Muslim League and the Congress,
failed to work. Under the circumstances, the British decided to divide India
and quit.
Thereafter, Nehru provided for special rights
for Indian Muslims - many of whom had supported the creation of Pakistan -
in the Constitution, reducing Hindus to second-class citizens in their own
country. Some members of the Constituent assembly vehemently opposed the Bill
for Articles 25 to 30, but Nehru saw to it that they were passed. In order
to please Sheikh Abdullah, the Jammu & Kashmir issue was referred to the
United Nations and Article 370 was introduced in the Constitution.
But while four wars have been fought with
Pakistan - with three on the dispute over Jammu & Kashmir - neither has
the problem been solved, nor has Article 370 been able to placate Kashmiri
separatists. Yet Article 370 continues, treating generations of Indians unequally
vis-à-vis the unique status of Kashmiris.
