"History has shown that evil carries its own seeds of destruction" :::: If Babri Masjid demolition was one such episode, Partition, Delhi anti-Sikh carnage in 1984 and Gujarat violence of 2002 were no exception

Reasons must fight unreason. That is a basic way of looking at and judging matters. Often, things do not work in India. Mobs or  political considerations take over. There is an ugly and unedifying spectacle of governance without any determination to enforce the rule of law.

Most communal clashes or catastrophic episodes, like the destruction of a masjid in 1992, may fall under this category. 

History has shown that evil carries its own seeds of destruction. 

If the Babri Masjid demolition was one such episode, we can easily say that many years before Partition was another instance.

The Delhi anti-Sikh carnage in 1984 and the Gujarat violence of 2002 were also no exception. There were also episodes like the killing of Ananda Margis in West Bengal.Islam

We may often ask ourselves: Are the factors responsible for Partition ‘over’ today, circa 2026, or are they still around?  The fact of the matter is that there were no reasons for Partition. 

The ‘reasons’ were found and then highlighted because a decision had already been taken by the colonial masters to divide India. Mountbatten was deputed with a fixed task.

Take an objective view and we know Jinnah had his reasons. 

Nehru was in a hurry. By 1940, a sort of new generation in freedom struggle  politics was emerging.

As they say — Naya Rajniti and Naya Neta (new political ideals and new leadership) would be emerging soon. For their part, the Britishers also came under pressure.  The colonial masters would have found it difficult to survive in India with as much power as they had two years earlier. Indian leaders were also getting tired of wars.

As the Bengali poetic line rightly goes: “Bidrohi, Rano Klanto.” So, somehow, some formula had to be worked out. Partition was considered that acceptable formula.

In 2026, as also in 1947, for common people, the main issues were jobs, electricity and water. They did not have much concern about fighting and killing their neighbours. Similarly, in 2026, if Hindu-Muslim unity is ensured foolproof, what will politicians do? 

What will journalists, experts and social workers do — those who still want to thrive out of the business of secularism?

From Partition and communal violence to changing social dynamics, the real challenge is preparing a Gen Z generation that cares for India, its unity and its old values.

In a broad sense, we may say: If all problems are solved and there is Hindu-Muslim unity, then what will netas do?

Talking of Gen Z, we must prepare the Gen Z of 2047 — a generation that will care for the country and its old values.  India’s Partition, old Indian values and the fast-changing social dynamics are good ways to look at things.  

Now, coming to the core issues. Look at the economic condition of Pakistan.

In Bangladesh, the two-nation theory failed. But in 2024, they decided there should be a mass uprising. Whether it was instigated and sponsored did not make any difference. 

They wanted to get rid of a woman Prime Minister in office. One interim arrangement has been replaced by another ‘elected government’.

But in August 2026, the nation faces a prolonged power crisis and needs India’s help. At the same time, the Prime Minister in office, Tarique Rahman, is apparently reluctant to visit India. It is also debated that a large section of Bangladeshis wants a good relationship with a nation in crisis called Pakistan.

The 1971 uprising was against Pakistan, and that too looks like a forgotten chapter. All these debates may keep happening. But is it realised that, in effect, Partition has harmed the long-term and larger interests of Muslims?

There is another category of Muslims — those who went away and formed Pakistan are not being punished or suspected by Hindus and Sikhs.

Those who have to face the brunt of the anguish are the Muslims who decided to stay back in India.

“Muslims should not be treated as different people … consider them your own,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi told BJP workers at a national executive meeting in Kerala in 2016. Five years down the line, in 2021, he announced on the eve of India’s Independence Day that Aug 14 would be observed as the “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”.

This was to pay respect to the sacrifices of millions who were displaced or lost their lives during the Partition of the subcontinent after the British left in 1947. 

“Since 2014 when Modi came to power, I am yet to come across any initiative that unites the citizens. This announcement of the prime minister will only further create distance and the unwanted gap between Hindus and Muslims,” Delhi-based Christian leader A.C. Michael had told me in 2021, as reported by UCA  News.

Many Hindus still harbour a serious grouse against Muslims over the division of India. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its sister organisations championing Hindu identity question the patriotism of Muslims.

But is that all? India is now eyeing the status of a ‘developed nation’ — Viksit Bharat. The stakeholders overseas will not be too happy with such ambitions. Talking of Gen Z, we must prepare the youngsters —

the Gen Z of 2047 — who will care for the country and its old values.  

What will the Muslim Gen Z of 2047 be like? Will they still think like Muslim youths of 1947 or 2026? What if leaders like Modi or Yogi become heroes of Muslim youths of 2047 but are despised by Hindu youths?

What kind of politics may we have in 2047? 

Will the Leader of the Opposition still avoid parliamentary debate time and focus on staging a skit to mock a woman Prime Minister of Italy? What will champions of Hindutva do?

Will India still need caste leaders or cockroach or spider forces? Or will Bharat/India go the Lebanon or Yugoslavia way — multiplied a thousand times?

(courtesy - The Raisina Hills) 

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