Separatist Trends In Indian Nationalist Politics: Causes And Consequences

Causes: There were many causes responsible for the separatist trends in Indian nationalist politics. The primary cause was the grievances of the Muslim minority against the Hindu majority, due to the latter’s domination of trade, industry, government service, education and professions. The East India Company, which came as a private trading- company, replaced the Muslims and got the reigns in their hands. They (the Muslims) suffered loss of wealth and social status along with that of political power. The Revolt of 1857 or the First War of Independence dealt a heavy blow to the aspirations of the Muslims and made their position still worse. Western education as a pre-condition for government office also resulted in a gradual decrease in the percentage of Muslim government employees. Their avoidance of western education, keeping away from trade and industry and adherence to feudal ways were also responsible for their backwardness in the field of politics and economics. The economic backwardness of the country in general and the Muslims in particular, also contributed to the rise of separatist trends. Unemployment was an acute problem. There was, in consequence, an intense competition for the few available jobs. Many thought of such short-sighted and short term remedies as communal, provincial, or caste reservations in jobs. The educational movement of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan added fuel to fire by arousing Muslims to a sense of degradation as a community. He tried to awaken the Muslims, who were in deep slumber. Politically conscious Hindu intellectuals began to claim India for Indians or the Hindus, excluding the Muslims, which, in effect, meant for the majority community. They felt alien in their own land. In the land, where they have been livings as genuine residents, were now on the verge of alienation. The majority of the Muslim did not accept this nationalistic future of Indian democracy which did not include adequate safeguards for them. They wanted fair treatment. But that was not available. As result, a new phase of anti-national rather than anti-Hindu, activity commenced.
Religion has proved harmful than beneficial in the world in general and in Jammu and Kashmir in particular. Communalism has taken heavy toll of our lives. For the sake of peace, we should refrain from religiosity. Religion should heal rather hurt.
The method of teaching Indian history in schools and colleges also contributed to the growth of communalist feelings. British as well as Indian historians described the medieval period as the Muslim period and the ancient period as the Hindu period. This communal approach of history came to generate divisive tendencies. Extremism and revolutionary terrorism were a great step forward in almost every respect except in that of the growth of national unity. The speeches and writings of extremists and revolutionaries had a strong religious and Hindu fervour. They emphasized ancient Indian Culture to the exclusion of medieval Indian Culture. This does not mean that militant nationalists were anti-Muslim or even wholly communal. Most of them, favoured Hindu-Muslim unity. Still there is no denying the fact that there was a certain Hindi tinge in their political works and ideas. This kind of atmosphere is being felt nowadays. The glorious culture that came into effect with the arrival of the Turks, the Mughals and the Afghans, is threatened by the narrow-minded pseudo-nationalists. They hate the foreign things and claim to be the truest nationalists of this diverse land. But they forget that for this land, everyone contributed his or her bit. It is the journey of many centuries, where many caravans come and go. But the most important thing they all leave is that they make this land a shining example of brotherhood. All these things had to come to surface in the form of something horrible. Well, it came in the shape of the Partition. The grand India was divided on the basis of religion into India and Pakistan. More than 10 lakh people were killed. Property worth of crores was set on fire or destructed. Injuries were inflicted upon the souls of innumerable people. Today, we bear the consequences when everyday in Jammu and Kashmir in particular and in India in general. In Jammu and Kashmir, an innocent person is killed every day by the security personnel. A home is destroyed. Eyes are blinded. Economy is crippled. Severe curfews are imposed. Nuclear wars loom large in the air. Human resources are wasted. Diseases are on rise. Educational institutions are locked. Pessimism has engulfed every nook and corner of the valley. Suicides are on rise. In India, healthcare system is obsolete. Agriculture has not progressed in a real sense. Educational systems are not at par with the modern curricula. Human Development Index is falling with each passing day. Democracy is applicable in the guise of dictatorship. So, religion has proved harmful than beneficial in the world in general and in Jammu and Kashmir in particular. Communalism has taken heavy toll of our lives. For the sake of peace, we should refrain from religiosity. Religion should heal rather hurt.
References: Indian History By Krishna Reddy
(The author is a freelancer and regularly writes for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are exclusively his own)[email protected]