A few score Hindus crossed the Wagah Border last week into India, followed by 50-odd Indian fishermen who were repatriated to the home country as a goodwill gesture on Independence Day. The latter group was welcomed with open arms, while the reception of the former group was tinged with apprehension and concern, even though India has said that it is willing to look positively at requests for political asylum.
What should India do in a situation like this? First of all, the timing of the travel of the Pakistani Hindus to India couldn’t have been worse, coming as it did around the anniversary of independence — and partition — reminding both countries of those gruesome days of 1947. Nor could the hyperbole of the Indian TV channels as they simply refuse to treat a subject as sensitive as this with the restraint that it deserves.
Second, both Pakistan and India seem nervous about the cross-border travel of this group of Hindu pilgrims, not only because some have announced their intention to stay on in India but also because India’s Foreign Minister SM Krishna is expected for talks in Islamabad on September 7.
Thirdly, to add to the Congress government’s woes in New Delhi, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party went hammer and tongs at the Congress party’s lackadaisical approach to the affair. Again, the shadow of horror passed briefly over parliament.
The truth is that even 65 years after independence, which each of our countries celebrate in our respective riot of colours, our independent sense of identity is not complete. If it were, Pakistani Hindus would not want to use the excuse of Janmashtami, the festival celebrated around the birth of Lord Krishna, to travel to India and not look back; and Indian Muslims, at least a section of them, would not feel threatened and insecure each time an unruly mob breaks windowpanes and burns buses in a completely different part of the country.
Of course, this is not to say that Indian Hindus and Pakistani Muslims are not furious about the state of play in each of their countries. If they are, consider what minority communities on both sides must be going through.
There is only one solution to this incomplete sense of identity: make the borders between India and Pakistan much more porous.
Of course, the Indian state’s pat answer to this is that terrorists from Pakistan will also find it much easier to destroy the peace at home. Such an answer has kept both countries hostage to each other’s security apparatuses. Only in South Asia, where security agencies take their people for granted, will you hear such reasoning.
In the US, in the wake of the 9/11 incident, public pressure forced the administration to get its act together to scale up intelligence and other operations, instead of clamping down on people’s right to liberty and life.
Consider, however, if the two countries actually opened up their borders — thereby forcing their security agencies to do some real work by keeping their eyes open for genuine terrorists and mischief-makers — to allow ordinary people to travel back and forth between India and Pakistan. That one gesture would take the sting out of the trauma that dominates the lives of minorities, forcing them to abandon their homes and look elsewhere. If cross-border travel were to be made easier, Hindus and Muslims could visit families in each other’s countries without being forced to make bombastic announcements on political asylum that are really three parts nervousness.
Opening up the border and freeing people, allowing both countries to become normal neighbours, would also deflate the considerable power right wing political parties often derive from the nervous fears of persecuted peoples.
Can India and Pakistan, each of them 65 years old, bite the bullet of challenge and really look at what their people want? Or, will SM Krishna’s Pakistan visit be one more in a line of missed opportunities and tired rhetoric?
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (74)
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@sadhana:
Your narrative of the events is very saddening and arouse my full sympathies. However, what I know and saw on TV was quite different from your narrative except that at one time Rinkle wished to go with her mother while she looked confused and perplexed. Unfortunately, you didn't provide links to reliable neutral sources to verify your description of events, so it is hard for me to accept your narrative as it is. I know we have problems of extremism and intolerance (and ironically most Pakistanis believe that Indian agencies are behind these extremists like TTP and BLA to destabilize Pakistan and avert attention from Kashmir dispute) but so do you too and I can provide you a very long list of links from the most reputable organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to support my claim. I still insist that no one can make you change your deeply ingrained beliefs and thoughts permanently using force but only with reasoning, logic, and facts. So if she was forcibly converted, she will have millions of chances in life to get out of it. Further, I fail to understand if your protest is against the forcible conversions only, then why you guys created so much hue and cry on a conversion done transparently on a live telecast?
@Sid:
"@Lala Gee: am amazed at your simplistic thinking. What you call Indian hate is caution. NOTE: We did not start the violence in 47, your great leader called Direct Action."
The post partition 1947 riots were initiated by the Indians to take revenge from Muslims for creating Pakistan. My mother still remember the horrors she faced, then only a little child, and what she saw while escaping the massacres and arson leashed upon the fleeing Muslims by the Congress hooligans.
Similarly, 'Direct Action Day' was nothing more than a call for general strike and processions were arranged in support of demand for Pakistan, which were perfectly legal and an acceptable way in any democratic system. This is what wikipedia says (remember Muslims were only 30% in Calcutta):
"Troubles started on the morning of the 16 August..... These were mainly concentrated in the North-central parts of the city like Rajabazar, Kelabagan, College Street, Harrison Road, Colootolla and Burrabazar. In these areas the Hindus were in a majority and were also in a superior and powerful economic position. ...... Hindus and Sikhs were just as fierce as the Muslims in the beginning. Parties of one community would lie in wait, and as soon as they caught one of the other community, they would cut him to pieces.[25] Hindus in Calcutta soon retaliated (in response to the DA call by Muslims) with attacks on Muslims, any Muslim found in House, road or shop or even Educational institution was pulled out by Hindu Mobs in Calcutta and were cut into pieces. Muslim women were abducted and raped. The figures of Muslim casualties were heavier as Hindu retaliation took pace"
Please also note that this part is written by an Indian contributor (should be obvious from the repetition of word 'retaliation').
@Arijit Sharma:
"@Lala Gee: You might find this enlightening:"
Yes very enlightening. While Pakistanis held under such suspicions in India only return when they go insane after years of torture, he was held for only 5 hours after he entered a prohibited area of army cantonment. Look what he has to say:
"I implore Muslims of India never and ever to venture into Pakistan as tourists since there is no guarantee that they will return unless they are part of some government delegation. Pakistani authorities hate Indian Muslims and that is the truth,”
What better propaganda could it be to counter the protests and concerns raised by Pakistani nation and government over the plight of Muslims in India. Ask Sikh visitors how they are treated in Pakistan, let alone Muslims of India.
@Lala Gee: Fact of History is something else.You never ruled anyone. Islam came into the subcontinent through Arab Invaders. You just converted to that religion. Muslim rule in the subcontinent began in 712 CE when the Arab general Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh and Multan in southern Punjab in modern day Pakistan, setting the stage for several successive invasions from Central Asia between the 10th and 15th centuries CE, leading to the formation of Muslim empires in the Indian subcontinent such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Here is a something to lightened you up. During partition some people were walking with placard shouting about independence. One Muslim asked a lower cast person who had just converted to Christianity what’s going on and the reply came” Sadde thoun Azadi Manng Rahiye hain” -These people are asking for independence from us.
@Lala Gee:
See all the videos.you will get it. The Murder of History in Pakistan by Mr K.K.Aziz too says it all.
@akash:
"Instead of arguing with Indians on how your forefathers got converted, tell them the following…"
Lets not, if that doesn't suit you despite all the rhetoric from Indians.
"I am a Muslim.I am from Pakistan.I am from the land of Sapta Sindhu. We are one of the oldest continuous civilization in the world."
Interestingly, this is what Mr. Markandey Katju claimed in his todays op-ed "Ecrasez L’ infame"
"I said that India is a country of immigrants (like North America) whose 92-93 per cent population today consists not of the original inhabitants but descendants of immigrants"
"This land has produced sacred Hindu scriptures (Vedas & Upanishads)."
I don't know why are you so insecure. This a fact known to all and does not need any recognition or endorsement.
"But as i have said earlier, if you tell Indians that we once ruled you people,it is but obvious you will get a rough reply."
This is another fact of history whether you like it not.
@akash:
"These are all from Pakistani Television talk shows Distorted History of Pakistan with Hassan Nisar"
So far I have watched the first video from your provided links which is 21:23 minutes long. Although the title says something like 'Distorted History' but not a single fact is mentioned that was distorted and included in the school or history texts as you claim. Would you please go through all the videos you mentioned and note the specific facts we have distorted and made part of our texts. I am a regular reader of Hassan Nisar and know he sometimes go overboard to criticize the ills in Pakistani society while ignoring the fact that these ills do exist in other societies also.
@Lala Gee: Instead of arguing with Indians on how your forefathers got converted, tell them the following...
I am a Muslim.I am from Pakistan.I am from the land of Sapta Sindhu.We are one of the oldest continuous civilization in the world.This land has produced sacred Hindu scriptures (Vedas & Upanishads). Believe me, Indians will greet you with open arms.They hardly care as to how your forefathers got converted to Islam. But as i have said earlier, if you tell Indians that we once ruled you people,it is but obvious you will get a rough reply.
@Lala Gee: am amazed at your simplistic thinking.
What you call Indian hate is caution. NOTE: We did not start the violence in 47, your great leader called Direct Action. How on earth did he think we could have relations like the Canadians and Americans after that is simply mind boggling.
You just need to read Al-Biruni not any indian, western source, to understand what Muslim invaders did in India.
I hope this makes it, reading Al-Biruni is a must for every Muslim of the sub continent.
@Lala Gee:
These are all from Pakistani Television talk shows Distorted History of Pakistan with Hassan Nisar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ2DIEt7N3k H Nisar: Murder of History in Pakistan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9lXZEDYA70&feature=related Marvi Sirmed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEPj8x5qTJU&feature=related What is in textbook of pakistani school? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb5ZzcU5l10&feature=related When i said Pakistan might be the only country where invaders are decorated..i meant the name of your missiles. Read all the comments of Indians and Pakistanis and tell me who is more hateful and brainwashed. For us you look hateful & brainwashed & for you we look the same.So leave this part. But you can do one thing.Ask the following questions to Pakistani youth & get the answer. What is the history of Harappa,Mohenjodaro,Taxila etc. Do they know about Chandragupta Maurya,Chanakya,Ashoka the great, the Gupta dynasty.
@Arian:
"Casteism exists among the Muslims of Pakistan and Afghanistan and that is the main reason why both Pakistan and Afghanistan have not managed to become nations with strong identities and suffer from ethnic rivalries."
Agree with your above statement. Thousands of years old, deeply ingrained prejudices don't go away easily as you know most of the Muslims in Pakistan converted from Hinduism where classes are a fundamental part of religion.
@Raja:
"You are proud of your forefathers’ decision to convert to Islam during the British rule. There is nothing wrong in doing so, but what are you proud of? Do you know the circumstances which might have led to their conversion? What if they were also subjected to similar intimidation this poor young girl had to face?"
Fortunately, I exactly know why and intimidation was certainly not the reason he embraced Islam. Suffice to say that my forefather was a learned person searching for truth.
@John B: Very well said. Agreed 100%.
@Lala Gee: You might find this enlightening: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/08/24/news/national/maulana-azads-family-alleges-isi-harassment/
@Lala Gee:
There are no false egos. You have over-simplified the incident by saying the girl was kept in a neutral atmosphere for 15 days before being put up in front of TV cameras and the court system.
First, can you create a neutral environment in Pakistan for a teenager girl, a minority in an Islamic country with Sharia law equally applicable to her, who has just become a national news? Secondly, what would you expect from a teenager whose parents have just been threatened with dire consequences? I guess the daily news of the Hindus disappearing or being killed in broad day light, and the fact that her own life would be in danger if she didn't make "the right move" had nothing to do with the declaration of her "decision" to embrace Islam of her free will. Right?
Lala Gee, in India, many Hindu girls marry Muslims and convert to Islam regularly. But, you would hardly ever hear any uproar unless there is a deliberate attempt to convert the vulnerable ones. The operative word is, of free Will.
If you accept that even one person was ever forcible converted to Islam, that's one too many who was wronged.
You are proud of your forefathers' decision to convert to Islam during the British rule. There is nothing wrong in doing so, but what are you proud of? Do you know the circumstances which might have led to their conversion? What if they were also subjected to similar intimidation this poor young girl had to face? You would never know what makes you proud of their conversion, would you?
@akash:
"But problem is else where & it is the hate & distorted history that is being taught in schools & madrasas in Pakistan."
"Indians do know that Pakistanis have been fed with decades of wrong propaganda,hate curriculum,conspiracy theories,distorted history."
I don't know where you get it that history in Pakistan is totally distorted and hate is preached in schools. By reading the comments of Indians I am sure that the things are other way round. There may be a few overstatements in the school texts, but I can assure you that no such thing as hate or distorted history is taught in schools. I can say this because I myself went to Pakistani schools and studied the same text books as anybody else did. Moreover, in this modern age of electronic media and internet, hiding facts by distortion is just not possible. Read all the comments of Indians and Pakistanis and tell me who is more hateful and brainwashed.
"Pakistan might be the only country where invaders are decorated & ancestors are prosecuted."
What do you say about the whole continent of North America (British and French invaders), South America (Spanish and Portuguese invaders), Australia and Newzealand (British invaders). Who are their heroes?
"You say you are proud of the decision your forefather took. Are not you proud of your lineage too."
Islam teaches us that all the human beings are equal before Allah. Color, ethnicity, and caste has no bearing but only the good or bad deeds matter that make one better or worse among humans.
@Arijit Sharma: No, I think you are misreading my comment.
India should ignore the concerns of PAK, if PAK minorities seek political asylum in India, and issue them political asylum regardless of what may transpire in other negotiations. It is not in the character of India to turn away those who seek refuge.
@Lala Gee: "We also don’t want India to dump her low quality merchandise in our markets. Keep your stuff and trade with in your borders as well. Aren’t we free to make our decisions for us? Then why so much hue and cry for MNF status."
MFN status = Most favoured Nation status. This is something that Pakistan is required to give India as member of WTO. All it means is that the tarriff and non-tarriff barriers for India will be no different from those to any other WTO member. India has chosen not to take Pakistan to WTO to enforce this but it easily could. Incidentally India has given MFN status to Pakistan since 1996. So Indians are simply requesting for not just reciprocation but compliance with WTO norms. That too they are giving a lot of things unilaterally to get something from Pakistan that they could very easily demand.
As far as buying goods are concerned, no Pakistani can be forced to buy something they do not want - MFN does not change that.
@Lala Gee: Indians do know that Pakistanis have been fed with decades of wrong propaganda,hate curriculum,conspiracy theories,distorted history. Because of that Pakistanis now have a identity crisis. One should know & feel proud of his/her culture,civilization,heritage, people and land. This subcontinent( Including Pakistan) had been influenced by Budhist, Jains & Hindu Culture for thousand of years before the advent of Islam. I have always given the example of Indonesia. They follow islam but keep their hindu cultural identity.Indonesia has Garuda airline,they have Ganesh image in their currency notes, Ramayana is the national folklore. Sita, laxman are common muslim names in Indonesia. Why Pakistanis does not follow the same.
@Lala Gee:
Allama Iqbal's ancestors were Kashmiri Pandits, the Brahmins of the Sapru clan from Kashmir. Iqbal often mentioned and reminisced about his Kashmiri Pandit Brahmin lineage in his writings. You say you are proud of the decision your forefather took. Are not you proud of your lineage too.
@NK27 - Thank you for correcting me! Apologies for my error! Yes, "Indian Ocean".
@ Lala Gee, Forget Robert Frost. Just read "Islamiyat" Text book for Std 5,6,7 in Pakistan Sir and you would see my point about hatred for Hindus and glorification of Jihad poured in minds of young kids!
@Lala Gee: One more thing.. last time i was commenting on an article in ET, someone said they ruled India. http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/12108/hinudana-rasm-or-a-radical-mindset/ I assume you have clear understanding of the history of the subcontinent. Do't you find it funny when someone makes such statements?
@Lala Gee: My own forefathers embraced Islam during the British rule, and I am proud of their decision, but you guys claim that all the Muslims in the sub-continent were forcefully converted from Hinduism. I agree Considerable controversy exists both in scholarly and public opinion about the conversions to Islam. But problem is else where & it is the hate & distorted history that is being taught in schools & madrasas in Pakistan. If children does not read about pre-islamic history of the subcontinent & how Islam came in to the subcontinent,it is but natural that they will see & treat Hindus & other minorities as some kind of enemy. Pakistan might be the only country where invaders are decorated & ancestors are prosecuted.
@Dushmann:
"Jinnah and Pakistanis are free to envision and daydream and set goals as they want for their own country of pure race. We don’t need Jinnah to set goals and policies for India."
We also don't want India to dump her low quality merchandise in our markets. Keep your stuff and trade with in your borders as well. Aren't we free to make our decisions for us? Then why so much hue and cry for MNF status.
Our Borders are already pourous.. no matter from where you want to come, you are welcome. Some innovative chaps even entered through sea routes directly reaching mumbai.. dont you know? They were in a hurry and hence avoided the delay in coming all the way through Punjab, Kashmir or Rajasthan. No passports and visas are needed. or if you are in the eastern part of our country you can commute across the border almost every day.. we will even give you a ration card so that you can buy food at dirt cheap rate which is originally meant for citizens of this country ( who cares about them anyway). Our hospitality wont even stop at that. Thanks to our visionary politicians you shall also be awarded a Voter card so that you can vote and decide the fate of our nation. You can produce as many children as you want there is no problem.. we believe in sharing. And we are sure soon you will be able to produce so much of your ilk that you will feel that you need more space for your brood and you have every right to drive away the original inhabitants of the land.. and if at all you are found to be doing something against the law ( our laws sometime prove to be irritant), you dont have to worry, our NGOs will make sure that you are freed before you could even blink. at the worst you are convicted and sent to jail you will find that you are given the best of the treatment. So rush... we are waiting for you!!!
@Lala Gee: Jinnah envisioned Pak-India relations similar to US-Canada relations which should be the ultimate goal for both the countries.
Jinnah and Pakistanis are free to envision and daydream and set goals as they want for their own country of pure race. We don't need Jinnah to set goals and policies for India.
@sadhana:
"the denial of justice by Pakistan Supreme Court to an underage Hindu girl(the key reason for Pak Hindu migration)"
I don't know what would satisfy your false egos. The girl you are referring to herself admitted on several occasions in front of TV cameras, in lower courts, even in Supreme Court after being held in neutral atmosphere for 15 days, that she converted and married out of her free will, but you Indians kept on bashing endlessly in disbelief and demanded that SC should have followed your whims rather than the wishes of the person concerned. To prove the point that Hindus in fact can convert out of their free will, one of the TV anchors did it live on TV, and you guys still didn't believe and trashed that act even with more vigor. My own forefathers embraced Islam during the British rule, and I am proud of their decision, but you guys claim that all the Muslims in the sub-continent were forcefully converted from Hinduism. One can kill you, but how one can forcefully change your believes and make you live with the imposed dogmas for the rest of your life.
Ridiculously simplistic view of things!
First let's complete population exchange systematically and peacefully in 5-10 years. Then we can have friendly relations, free trade, aman ki asha and whatever else you like.
@Aryabhat:
"Pakistanis who are taught that Hindus are bad ... If anything, India need to raise strongest possible fence on Pakistan border, lock the gates and throw the key in Arabic Ocean."
Your comment reminded me of my favorite poem by Robert Frost, "Mending Walls".
"Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out",
Read the comments of the Indians and you should know why we are taught, what you think, we are taught.
Ok. Don't open up the borders but let's at least have peace and friendship between our countries. 65 years of brutal conflict should be enough for us to understand the futility of this madness. We must have peace and harmony among our people now, for we owe it to them. All ready too many innocent lives have been lost and now we cannot afford to lose more people. For their lives are precious. Enough is enough...Nothing less than peace, prosperity and love should be acceptable to us now. I just hope and pray that there are no more terror attacks in India and Pakistan and that there's peace in both our countries. We desperately need to have peace in this region lest we should fight at our own peril. An eye for an eye will make us all blind. Peace.
@Aryabhat: .... Throw the key into Indian ocean
I second Jyoti's proposal!
I really don't understand why we need to open up the border? Actually border should be tighter and we need to make sure people cross it only through legal procedures.
Let China and Pakistan , friends forever ,should try first for 5 or 10 years.
Imagine a zoo where there are no enclosures. some species will not exist even
thanks a lot. Pl have a look at Assam. We dont want these incidents repeating on Pak border.
Let the author try making her house more porous by removing all doors and locks.
Jyoti Malhotra belongs to a category of pseudo-intellectuals that would unhesitatingly give up its conscience to gain cheap publicity. Such individuals have an insatiable hunger to appear "balanced".
Anyone with average intelligence will shudder to imagine the scale of militancy in Kashmir, Mumbai, and all other places where "they" had to sneak across the border, had we thrown open our borders for "them" to simply walk across legally.
In the US, in the wake of the 9/11 incident, public pressure forced the administration to get its act together to scale up intelligence and other operations, instead of clamping down on people’s right to liberty and life. Did you ever visited USA after 9/11/ Do Patriot act ring a bell in your ear. Ms. why can't you along with A. Patel move across border.
Totally agree with you Ms Malhotra
@A reader: caring about India's security does not make one an Islamophobe. Do you have any basis for such labeling? I doubt that any of the people who oppose porpous borders are against Indian Muslims. Secondly, even Pakistani Muslims are welcome - but only after due diligence. We neither want terrorists or additional illegal immigrants.
I hope after reading the comments of her fella Indians author will realize how deep religious bigotry has penetrated in the hearts and minds of these Indians. :) I hope she will realize the problem lies on her own side of the border.
@amit
20m illegal Bangladeshis in India !!! how did they cross the border !!??
@John B: " ... Why should India be concerned if Hindu’s or Christians from PAK seek political asylum in India? .... "
Are you suggesting that India ignore issues of Pakistani Hindus because they are foreign nationals ?
Lovely idea sir jee. Let's have peace, love, and friendship for a change. Conflict between India and Pakistan should retire at 65 now and give way to peace and harmony. For there's no end to this fighting and we desperately need peace in this region lest we should continue to fight on our own peril. Our people deserve peace too just like the people of other countries. Don't they?
@A reader: " ... Only with more contact and interaction will there be peace. ... "
Why are you so intent on making peace with India ?
@Toticalling: "Opening borders is a great idea. Many in pakistan would like to visit India, buy clothes, and make friends. Those terrorists who cross borders do not have visas, it is the innocent good will Pakistanis who suffer for not being able to cross the border"
Certainly I hope that you visit India. You would be most welcome. Indian home secretary had gone to Islamabad to sign for a more liberalized visa process but Rehman Malik refused to let it get signed since he thought Indian home secretary was too low to sign.
I am all for streamlining controls and removing non-value-added controls from the due dillgence process. But poen borders makes no sense. True terrorists did not have visa but as you may have read some potential intruders into India were shot dead earlier in the week near the Kashmir border. The terrorists thus currently risk their lives when trying to cross into India. Open borders would mean they could simply walk in. That makes no sense whatsoever.
Also as mentioned by someone else, it is only Muslims who have families on both sides, Hindus and Sikhs have nearly been wiped out in Pakistan so there is clearly minimal demand from Hindus and Sikhs wanting to visit Pakistan.
Finally I am surprised that Jyoti is concerned about the 'timing' of those people who fled Pakistan. Her concern should be for the minor Hindu girls in Pakistan who were kidnapped, raped and forcibly converted and people still stuck in Pakistan who are afraid of such a fate affecting their daughters. People don't sell their homes at half price and leave unless things are drastically wrong where they are.
I'll go against the grain of the Islamophobes who have spoken so far and say this is a good idea. Only with more contact and interaction will there be peace.
Offending sensibilities of the Pak elite holds more importance for Jyoti Malhotra than the factors forcing people to abandon their homeland of generations including the denial of justice by Pakistan Supreme Court to an underage Hindu girl(the key reason for Pak Hindu migration).
How can India open up its gates to 197 million Pakistanis who are taught that Hindus are bad and ultimate dream of Pakistanis should be to conquer Delhi to make entire South Asia muslim?
If anything, India need to raise strongest possible fence on Pakistan border, lock the gates and throw the key in Arabic Ocean.
I can understand the opposition to the idea of porous borders, but it is not worse than the current status. We have tried everything else for 65 years except the porous borders. If I had not visited India, I would not be this open minded. We have to bring people closer so they can see the difference freedom, democracy, secularism and progress make.
India should provide residence visa to people who migrated from united provinces and bihar. Such people will create bridge between Pakistan and India. But reading comments made by indian friends who claim secularism such will not be possible. Peace possible only when Pakistani and indian can live anywhere in South Asia region. So idea of open border is feasible.
I disgree with Ms. Malhotra. Her being a punjabi, she might have nostalgia to visit people from pakistan. While pkaistan is punjab (>50% of pak population, controls army and business), indian punjab is just a one of many great indian states. Most of the indians besides punjabis dont really care much about pakistan as long as they keep their 'assets' on leash. I for one dont want any pours border with pakistan as there is nothing to gain and everything to lose. I also dont agree with indian posters, who want "indian" muslims to migrate to pakistan, they are as much as an indian as i am. Only thing i would say about muslim community is they should stay away from the preacher of hate spewing mullahs and reduce their birth rates or they we never get out of their own self-made social backwardness.
Porous border is feasible between nations of same ideology and principles. The ideology of Pakistan and India are different. If it were the same then there was no need for Pakistan or Bangladesh.
India has always been a refuge for the people who fled persecution (religious or otherwise) beginning with Jewish diaspora during Cyrus the great period and later for Zorastrians and of late for Buddhists from Tibet, Sindhi's from Sindh and Bihari's from Bangladesh , of recorded history.
Why should India be concerned if Hindu's or Christians from PAK seek political asylum in India? It is against the character of India. India should be concerned only when Muslims in India want to seek political asylum in PAK.
India should stop worrying about what does PAK think in these political asylum cases and should think only of her inclusive character and try to perfect it.
What can one say - the writer believes that facilitating illegal migration will make India and Pakistan better friends. She thinks that managing the security of a country like India with myriad external and internal threats is the easiest job in the world - so we should make it more challenging. Two points: 1. I cannot but gasp at the naivete of the principal suggestion - to make the border porous. You have a clear example of Assam in front of you; there are very few terrorists coming through but the demography of the border regions is changing creating severe political and social unrest. Does your brilliant solution address this - but I guess you don't care. 2. You conveniently ignores the reasons that this particular trip of Pakistani Hindus was termed as an exodus considering that they make trips every year - it is because they said that it was! The issues that have been raised in India are whether Pakistani Hindus have a right to demand asylum in India (do they have anywhere else to go?) - but naturally we are more reluctant to accept the Pak Hindus than the Bangladeshi muslims. I could not be more disappointed with this piece.
Maam,
With all due respect, I want to ask whether you reside in the same Milky Way galaxy as I do. Thank you.
Suddenly people like Aakar Patel, Jyoti Malhotra are writing articles which are against the grain. They jolly well know what they are writing is nonsense. And it is not even the Pulitzer prize season. And the Republic Day is far away.
Opening borders is a great idea. Many in pakistan would like to visit India, buy clothes, and make friends. Those terrorists who cross borders do not have visas, it is the innocent good will Pakistanis who suffer for not being able to cross the border. As things stand now, very few, if any, Indian will visit Pakistan with extremists fears. I understand authorities want to change the name of the school where MMSingh, went to school to Man Mohan Singh School. I was born in that district. There was another PM of India who was also born there. I forget his name. I hope one day this obsession with partition is forgotten soon on both sides of the border. The other obsession of religion may take more time.
The author should stay icognito for 1 year in Sindh as a poor Hindu, and 1 yr in Azamgarh, India as a poor Muslim...then lets ask her to compare what Pak Hindus and Indian Muslims have to face.
"Opening up the border and freeing people, allowing both countries to become normal neighbours.
Both countries cannot afford to maintain the current hostile status indefinitely. The one way forward is what author is suggesting and the other way is complete destruction (MAD). I hope sanity will prevail and both nations would opt-in for peaceful friendly co-existence. However, as it is said that there is a right time to do even a right thing, in my opinion, this is not the best of the times to do so. As Pakistan is currently undergoing through turbulent times facing challenges of terrorism, which most Pakistanis think India has hand in, this move would be unwise until the menace of terrorism is dealt with. However, the way to progress and ultimate peace lies in the peaceful resolutions of all the disputes and eventual cordial relationships between the two nations. Jinnah envisioned Pak-India relations similar to US-Canada relations which should be the ultimate goal for both the countries.
no , we have enough muslim who produced childrens 24/7[just like other muslims in south asia] .i am 100% sure in next 200 years hindus will become minority in india because our very low birth rate we don't want more illiterate muslims already in india 20% unofficial population is muslim[14% official] and more than 20 million illigal bangladeshi living in slum [specially in mumbai ,kolkata and assam]
" If cross-border travel were to be made easier, Hindus and Muslims could visit families in each other’s countries without being forced to make bombastic announcements on political asylum that are really three parts nervousness. "
No. Mostly Muslims would benefit from this as they are the ones with relatives from both sides of the border. It will barely affect Hindus as they have almost been wiped out from Pakistan and most Sindhi/Punjabi/Kashmiri Hindu families have no relatives left on the other side of the border. There are barely any temples left in Karachi and Lahore and most Pakistanis conveniently treat polytheists as 'Kafirs'. I see no reason to make the borders porous as the "Land of the Pure" was made specifically to keep the "Impure" (aka Hindus) away. Let them remain in Pakistan and retain their purity.
Non sequitor...and by the way 9/11 led to the Patriot act.
Hangover of Aman ki Aasha still going strong there. Disagree with every thought in this article.