Divide and Rule, British is not responsible.

While in school days, we were taught that the British resorted to ‘divide and rule’ policy to gain control over India. The tone and tenor of such a description painted the British as unscrupulous schemers who exploited the simple, trusting and gullible Indians. As a young student we not only accepted above view at its face value without any questions but  grew up to adulthood with a belief that we Indians were a highly united people and East India Company subjugated us through devious tricks and treachery and their infamous “divide and rule” policy. But then it did not match with reality what we saw around us.

You wonder why Indians let themselves be divided by outsiders and why they could not foresee the result of their disunity. Why they could not unite even 70 years after British left? Why Pakistan, representing Muslims of India, forced out all Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan? So is Muslim Bangladesh. Hindu population of Bangladesh came down from 28% to 8% in just 70 years. Nobody leaves their ancestors home easily. Hindus left Pakistan and Bangladesh because they feared that they will not be safe in a Muslim majority country. They were afraid to lose their profession, property, womenfolk and finally life and faith. To top it, Muslim majority region of Jammu & Kashmira state of India, Kashmir, drove out its Hindu population and refuses their safe return. Even successive secular Government of India had been unable to arrange safe return of the original inhabitants of Kashmir in Kashmir in 21^st century. There was no Englishman in Pakistan or Bangladesh or for that matter in Kashmir to guide. Actually, no Hindu was ever safe under any Muslim rule as it is today. Contrary to popular belief, it is during British rule, Hindus were safe. They were assured of their life and property. In fact it is British rule that freed them from yoke of servitude from Muslim rule of 600 years. At the time of arrival of East India Company, Sikhs and Marathas were overturning six hundred years of Muslim rule but still vast swaths of North and South India were ruled by Muslims. Hindus were actually happy to find saviour in British, East India Company. British did not create any division between Hindu and Muslim. Hindu and Muslim were never one. Muslims came from beyond Western and Northern borders of India; Hindus are original inhabitants of India. Muslims were usurper and occupier of India and Hindus were the rightful owner. Muslims were oppressor and Hindus were oppressed. Hindu- Muslim brotherhood is a myth. It was not there. It does not exist. It will never happen. British have no role in creating difference between Hindu and Muslim.

But why Muslims could come in, in the first place. Why could Muslim, so few in number occupied our country and ruled over us for 600 years before British took over. Sadly, the truth is division of Hindu society and division of Hindu ruling class did us in. Hindu society was always fragmented. Our approach, attitude and practices have always been directed towards remaining disunited. Caste system divided the society in distinct segments. Tribes were not assimilated. Politically India was united only in patches. Turks, Mongols, Pathans took advantage of this division. Mugals and Pathans played one king against other and always attacked one region at a time or one king at a time. Slowly they subjugated large part of India. From seventeenth century onward European trading companirs started creating their pockets of influence. Finally East India Company defeated Nawab of Bengal in 1757 to establish foundation of British rule. Slowly East India Company brought whole of India under their rule. British rule brought whole of India under one administrative rule for the first time after great Asoka, creating a concept of oneness among us. Not only British brought us together administratively and politically, they unearthed India’s past glory and made us one historically. Slowly India discovered cultural oneness as well, oneness through multitude of Gods, rituals, epics and commonalities amidst different languages, food habits and clothes. It is British rule that gave us unity and not otherwise.

In fact British dominion brought Hindu and Muslim close. For the first time, Hindus and Muslims were on one side. British rule treated both of them equally, defeated and subjugated. A feeling developed that Hindus and Muslims are brothers. It is only the British that brought them together. But unity between Hindu and Muslims crumbled at the prospect of British leaving India. Muslim league gave a call of “Direct action day.” It resulted in great Calcutta killings and Noakhali riots. Thousands of Hindus lost lives. Loss of lives apart it created such passion that could not be controlled till partition of India; between Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India. Partition followed further riots and mass migration. Hundreds of thousands people on either side lost life during partition riots. It did not end with partition. Bangladeshi Muslims are responsible for killing of 3 million Hindus over seventy years subsequent to partition. There was no British influence.

In last 70 years Pakistan waged two full scale wars on India; in 65 and in 71 and two proxy wars in 47 (Tribal attack on Kashmir)  and in 94 (Kargil war). Initially Pakistan believed that Muslim forces can easily defeat Hindu forces as has always happened in yester years. It did not happen in twentieth century. It did not happen because of one institution that British created. It is Indian army. Army is not divided. Army represent India both vertically and horizontally. Army does not distinguish between caste, creed, region and language. United India is strong India. Pakistan learned it hard way. In the 71 war Pakistan lost its Eastern wing which resulted in independent Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a Muslim country and will never be a true friend of India. But divided Pakistan is better than united Pakistan.

British never divided us to rule. They did not need to do so. We have always been and continue to be a divided lot. As soon as British left, we fell back on caste. Caste basis reservation is gift from our constitution. Mandal Commission was constituted and implemented by our governments. Honour killing of daughter for marrying out of caste is practiced only in India. Babri Masjid was demolished by us. In retaliation, it is our Muslim brothers who burnt down Sabarmati Express. British were nowhere to guide. The recent agitation in Maharashtra for driving out Biharis was not initiated by the East India Company. Nor are they preventing us from enacting a uniform civil code. Discrimination of linguistic minorities in various states of India started only after we took control. The list is endless.

We have a knack for generating innovative issues to divide ourselves. We are doing our best to ensure that we remain embroiled in petty bickering and internal dissensions. To us, our region, religion, caste and sub-caste are more important. Worse, we flaunt this narrow identity and give it precedence over nationalism. If after 70 years of independence, Kashmir and the North East are still not emotionally integrated with the country, the failure is ours.

If India continues to exist as a nation, credit will be due to institutions created by the British– the armed forces, the higher judiciary, the administrative service and the Election Commission and of course “English” language, the finest gift from British rule. English bind us together. English is the window for viewing world history, literature, science and technology and economics and trade. It is our knowledge of English that helped us to excel in computer science and capture world market. Our young generation interact with each other in English. It will not be incorrect to tell that certain institutions that British created and English language, both gift of British rule, are keeping us together.

Another factor helped us to remain united is federal structure of India. It allows unity in diversity. State re-organisation on the basis on language was the best decision the Indian union had taken. Each linguistic and culturally distinct unit is allowed to develop in particular way suitable to that unit while participating in development of country. Federal structure allows fulfillment of local aspirations. It also helps in reining in deviant unit as a small unit becomes powerless when it stands alone against the whole nation. That is why separatists in Kashmir, Punjab or North-East could not succeed in dividing India. On the other hand Pakistan dis-integrated for failing to recognise aspiration of people of Bangladesh.

Undoubtedly, we Indians are trying our best to create division in our society. The politicians are the fountainhead of all fissiparous tendencies. One does not have to be a visionary to predict the danger of abetting illegal migration from Bangladesh for garnering votes. North Indians in Mumbai are not welcome but illegal Bangladeshis can stay. Reservation for one caste or another is most divisive concept in our country.  No politician will ever promote inter-caste marriage. No politician will talk of eradication of caste system. Most politicians try to bring more and more castes in reservation ambit. They definitely want perpetuity of caste system. Many political parties actually promise reservation for Muslims forgetting that only seventy years back India was divided on religious ground when all these Muslims voted for partition but stayed back. Given an option they will again seek second partition. Our political leaders can stoop to any level and imperil national security for the sake of power. Sadly, they cannot be expected to change as they believe in the ends and not the means employed. To them, vote bank politics preclude letting countrymen stay united.

Immense damage is also being inflicted on the unity of the country by the media through its irresponsible and thoughtless reporting. For the sake of cheap sensational news, petty vandals are given coverage befitting a mass leader. Take Ibrahim Memon for instance. The terrorist who was responsible for close to 300 innocent commuter’s death, was accorded national homage in his death penalty by media just to outbid each other.  The woman terrorist, Ishrat Jahan, killed in police encounter in Ahmedabad, is accorded a victim status. Every news item is reported with a religious, caste or creed slant – ‘a dalit girl molested in a Delhi bus’ (as if other women are not molested in Delhi buses) or ‘church guard killed’ (in reality an argument between two security guards had turned violent) or ‘driver runs over a Muslim boy’ (his being a Muslim is of no relevance). It is obnoxious to see articles spelling out proportions of Muslims among criminals and casting doubts on judiciary and police. Just the other day a national newspaper ran a cover story that Hindu upper castes are not properly represented in jail.

Academicians are continuously trying to distort history to promote social harmony. But they forget that truth is ultimate. You can paint Tipu Sultan as a secularist king but people in Kerala cannot forget the way he carried out genocide of Nairs and Nambudiries in Kerala. You cannot wish away persecutions of six hundred years. You cannot erase the fact that our ancestors were killed, raped, persecuted and enslaved over six hundred years. Unity will be established when we accept the truth and seek way ahead. If you ignore history you are destined to repeat history. India was divided once on the basis of religion. In 1947 Muslims constituted 25% of Indian population. Divided India had 8% Muslim population in 1947. The Muslims who stayed back, actually supported formation of Pakistan. They stayed back in India for better life. Today Muslim population has grown to 15%. There is every reason to believe that the growing Muslim population would soon claim another division. Awareness is the only way to counter such demand. We must not glorify Muslim rulers to our peril. Neither should we paint Muslims opting for India as secular. They stayed back because they knew Hindus are not violent and neither they are vindictive.

The Way Ahead

If we believe in India, if we want to maintain integrety of our country and if we want our descendents lo live in a secular, democratic and prosperous India then we need to take few steps immediately.

1)     Institutions must be saved

As regards the armed forces, the nation owes its security, both external and internal, to its apolitical nature and nationalism. It is a symbol of national integration and a repository of best human values. It is an island of discipline and orderly behaviour in a sea of chaos and anarchy. A foreign observer wondered whether India deserved such a fine organisation. Unfortunately, concerted efforts are being made to demean and demoralize this shield between cohesion and disintegration. Politicians should not be allowed to meddle with Army. Therefore, it is necessary to allow autonomy to armed forces. All three wings should be independent with a central command. Government control should be exercised through Central Command. Army should be totally western as it is now. No religious segregation should be permitted. No religious practices must be allowed. In fact recruits should be screened thoroughly so that no divisive forces get into army. Islamists and Communists should be strictly kept out of Army. Every recruit should be screened for leaning towards fundamental Islam and communism, as both doctrines teach anti-national loyality. No benefit of doubt should be given. There should not be any reservation for a religious group.

If an Indian citizen still respects law and believes in its fairness, the credit is entirely due to the independence and character displayed by the higher judiciary. Having been let down by the Parliament and the executive, people look at the judiciary as their sole hope. Therefore, it must step forward to shoulder additional responsibility, opinion of conservative constitutional experts notwithstanding. Of course, judiciary must play cautious. It should be guided by constitution and principle underlying  it. Judiciary also needs to find out how to tackle delay in the justice process. It must be remembered that justice delayed is justice denied. And millions of cases piled up in various courts do not auger well for a democracy. Corruption at various level of society in general and Government in particular can be curbed only when quick dispension of cases are possible. Today, one person is charged with amassing wealth dis-proportionate to his declared source of income. Ten years hence a judgement will come. If the accused dies before the case is disposed, trial ceases. Family can claim the property as in the case of Ms Jayalalitha, former Chief minister of Tamilnadu. Therefore, the cost of corruption is negligible. We must increase cost of corruption. Corruption cases must be concluded in numbered working days and culprit punished. Then only corruption can be reigned in.

Indian administrative service stood firmly as unifying force in India. They serve different states and centre and brings a uniformity in approach and goal. Though these people work under guidance of political leaders but they are instrumental to advise correctly to reduce disruptive and divisive tendencies. UPSC which is entrusted with the onerous task of recruiting men at all levels of Government service should be autonomous as well. All suspected Islamists and Maoist should be kept out of bound for Government jobs.

Election commission should continue to ensure that political parties are not allowed to play vote bank politics at the cost of national cohesion. All defaulting parties and their leaders must be handed out exemplary punishment, debarred from standing in elections and their political careers sealed. The Election Commission can play an extremely important role with its constitutional powers. Any party that does not swear by the integrity of the country and equality of all citizens should be banned. Similarly, any party that promotes hatred amongst various segments of Indian society on any grounds whatsoever must be proscribed. Even religion-based parties which disallow followers of other religions as its members should have no place in a secular country.

There are several other organisations like CBI, Vigilance, Lokpal and Audit should be granted autonomy. These institutions should be responsible to only Government and nation. More checks and controls reduce pace of progress but prevent corruption and diversion of money to individuals. Ultimately country will benefit.

2)     English language

India is connected by English. We must not try to eradicate English. Eradication English is banishing knowledge, since English is the gateway to Knowledge. Promotion of Hindi is welcome but promotion of Hindi should not be at the cost of English and other Indian languages. Promotion of Indian languages does not hinder education in English. In fact college admission should require basic qualification in English and mathematics. We must strive to educate every Indian in basic English and mathematics other than his mother tongue, social science and civility.

3)     Federalism

India is a of multi-ethnic and multi linguist country. But India is bound by geography, common heritage and tradition and Hinduism. We must promote commonalities while allow individual desires to flourish. Federalism suits India most. Each ethnic and linguist group should be able to express their aspirations. Here judicious balance is required. No group should be assigned autonomy at the expense of other. Autonomy should be for a distinct geographical area. No state should have less than one crore population. No autonomous region should be of less than ten lakh population. Autonomous regions should be part of a state not parallel to state.

4)     Population control

India should not be divided again. But if Muslim population reaches 20%, there will be demand for another partition of India. In 1901 there was 19% Muslim in undivided India. In 1947 Muslim population was 25% and Muslims wanted partition. Unfortunately 8% Muslims stayed back in India even after partition. Now after 70 years of independence, 8% population has become 15%. It is possible that in another 100 years Muslim population will turn into 25% as in 1947. There will be no way to prevent 2^nd partition.

India needs strict family planning programme. It should be applicable to all irrespective of religion and it needs strict compliance. Population control is required for progress also. India cannot sustain more than 100 Crore population. We are already 125 Crore. It is high time to put a stop. But if we want to adopt population control, it must be for all so that there is no demography change risking break up of our country.

5)     Education

Indian must be literate so that they can decide matters. India is a democratic country. In democracy each adult has right to select his representative. Education will empower Indians to take conscious decision. In fact education is solution to all previous issues. Really democracy cannot function without educated subjects.

6)     Say no to Muslim migration

Bangladesh and Pakistan population are growing at a breakneck speed. Both countries are now having more population than it can feed. The excess number is gradually migrating to India. It is causing demographic changes. Already several districts of Eastern India have become Muslim majority area. No economic migration from Pakistan and Bangladesh should be allowed. Two Crore Bangladeshi Muslims must be identified and dis-enfranchised.  It may not be possible to send them back but they should not be granted Indian citizenship, and if granted should be repudiated.

British controlled the whole of Indian peninsula with a maximum of 60000 police. Today every state has a police force of more than that strength and yet divisive forces are rampant. The reason is promotion of divisive forces by our leaders in every field. If India has to survive and prosper as a united nation, it is time corrective action is taken. Let us not force the next generation to rewrite the history books to say that India can remain united only when subjugated by a foreign power or that an independent India is always a divided India.

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