Well you have every right to doubt the veracity of the story. But you don't have to get so emotional and insecure about it. You can logically explain your pov like
niaz did without bringing unrelated and inconsequential topics into this thread.
I agree the author has embellished the story to bring out some emotional aspects and is not objective per se. However, the emotional farewells that Hindus Sikhs and Muslims gave to each other before making the journey to the other side is documented not only among army officers but among the common folk as well.
Also, this story of two brothers fighting on opposite sides is not only listed by this Indian author but by British historians in
Freedom at Midnight.
Infact, you can go to primary sources and declassified documents provided by the British that talk about the partition of the Indian Army. And the fact that about 200+ Commissioned Officers and 300+ Viceroy Commissioned (to be called JCOs later) Muslim officers (mostly Rohilla Pathans) choose to stay with India.
Even if you negate this fact about two brothers fighting on either side of the border. There were Muslim majority regiments fighting in the Indian army in Kashmir sector in 47, 65 and so on. Infact' the chief of planning of Indian Air Force in 71 was a Muslim as well.
Of course, I don't disagree that currently Indian muslims are heavily underrepresented in the Indian Army and security establishment. This is because of a false perceived notion among the right-wing establishment on the question of Indian muslim loyalty after the partition.
This has to be rectified asap and consciously by GoI. The Sachar committee as well as recent recruitment drives for Indian Muslims (including Kashmirs) are steps in that direction. (E.G.:
India Muslim Kashmiri soldier dies fighting militants I made effort to find a non-Indian source so please appreciate )
At the same time, the GoP recruiting non-muslims is very important for the future of Pakistani state as well. A modern society can
succeed only by embracing diversity, not hiding it
To other posters, I suggest you read some primary historical sources and some good researched books on the British Indian Army. There are many such stories you will find. Like the author said, such stories have been the tragedy and curse of the subcontinent. Will we ever get close together? With deep sorrow, I think this will never happen- at least as long as politicians continue to have the upper hand, and the terrorists their way.
I can say with full confidence, that even IF India becomes a Muslim majority country, there will still be conflict between India and Pakistan; given the fact that there vested interests(including international vested interests) in keeping the conflict alive. The SAARC countries trading, cooperating and prospering without being dependent on external parties is too difficult to swallow for some.
and
Omar1984, you sound to young to understand that the world is not black and white but shades of grey. I hope you will ponder on this. Not all muslims are good and not all non-muslims are bad. You need to read up on the life of the Prophet to understand how he dealt with non-muslims and how much importance he had for Muslim lives.
