This refers to the opinion “Pangs of Partition: Facing the reality of Pakistan” (May 26).
I liked the writer’s realism reflected in the opening line of his column. As a Pakistani Muslim, I firmly believe that regardless of what was written and said around the period of partition of the subcontinent, the Muslims of undivided India have already paid a heavy price and that loss is irretrievable and no effort or damage control exercise would do anyone any good.
The interview contents of Maulana Azad as well as the speeches that he made and the debate that followed are good enough only in an academic sense. I believe that he too was wrong. There was no “perfect” solution that satisfied all or most of the desires and whims of Muslims in the situation they were in at that time.
The problem with us, Muslims, is about living in the past and resting on past laurels. We believed that it is our divine right to rule India, India is ours and other religions in India have to be subservient to Islam.
Jinnah was more shrewd, realistic and focused in making his overall assessment about having Pakistan at “all costs.”
The anti-partition Muslims and that included most of the Islamic political parties, the left-wing as well as the “Khaksar Tehreek” of Allama Mashraqi, mistakenly believed that once the British left it will all be honky-dory and the two communities will settle the matters between themselves in a possibly win-win situation and ultimately the Muslims will prevail. However, I believe that the economic prosperity of the Hindus and the Sikhs across the Indian subcontinent as well as their educational/academic edge over the Muslims would have incrementally marginalized the entire Muslim population of India, thereby, widening the gap between the two communities. The result of such an “economic” and “welfare” imbalance would have paved the way for various ideologies as well as radical movements across India with dangerous consequences as well as possibilities of super power (US /USSR) interventions.
Today, a strong and prosperous Pakistan is in the best interest of all countries of the Indian sub-continent, in general, and the Indian Muslims, in particular.
Pakistan may have been an unwanted child in the months preceding August 1947. Now, Pakistan is a reality. It is a grown up “child” that was born after the sacrifices of millions in either blood or family bonds. It must live and Insha’Allah it will live for ever and ever. Long live Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad. — Sohail Butt, By e-mail
Treatment of workers
This is in response to the story “Indian mission seeks governorate’s help to redress assaulted worker.” I was shocked to read about the sponsor’s mistreatment of Abdul Rahman, a shepherd from Gopalganj, Bihar, India, which eventually rendered him incapacitated for the rest of his life. The sponsor not only never paid the salary, but he broke his legs and burned them too.
Cruel people like these are damaging the reputation of Islam. The poor man must have come here with the understanding that this is the land of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who spread the message of kind treatment to servants and who advocated the payment of wages before the worker’s sweat dries up.
I am sure the authorities will give justice to the victim and this should be a lesson for all those who mistreat their servants. — Mohammad Rahat Sultan, Alkhobar
Letters to the Editor: Facing the reality of partition
