From Rulers to Mere Vote banks: Decline of Muslims in India
India holds the second largest population of Muslims in Asia. Fifty-four years ago, British partitioned India on communal lines. They believed that Muslims would benefit best under a separate nation state. Ironically, the very community that the British sought to drive against the Hindus, fought against them with all their might to protect their Hindustan. British destroyed the Mughol empire to gain control of India. Bahadur shah Zafar was exiled. His sons were beheaded. Innumerable Nawabs including the Nawab of Awadh and Plassey were dethroned, slaughtered, exiled and insulted. Haidar ali, his son teepu, both Muslim Nawabs of Mysore, fought against the British to prevent India from becoming their fief.
During their reign of 200 years over India, British constantly pitched Hindus and Muslims against each other. They succeeded in identifying traitors within both communities. They were always able to exploit narrow vested interests and petty enmity to make inroads into India and perpetuate their rule. During these two centuries, a community, which was the ruling class of India, was reduced to a minority. The British succeeded in injecting a sense of insecurity among them. They were made to believe that the crushing majority of Hindus is all set to destroy them. The Mughol emperor is no longer present to safeguard their interests. The partition of Bengal was a major step in driving a permanent wedge between the two communities. As the Indian National Movement gained thrust, the British worked actively to split the movement vertically. A united India was a clear threat to the empire and they would not let it unite. The two nation theory was promoted to weaken, divert and thwart the national movement. As British rule in India drew to a close, the last bond of integration between us was destroyed. India’s partition ensured permanent instability, insecurity and permanent hostility in the sub-continent.
The realisation that Muslims could never rule India again dawned upon them during the National Movement itself. Rise of electoral politics in India after the Government of India Act of 1919 ensured that the 700 year old Mughol Empire would never be restored even if the British left India. Their downfall from the status of Hakims (ruling class) down to the status of a mere minority in electoral politics inflicted a loss of self-esteem among the Muslims. This loss of self-esteem speaks for the vigour with which they grabbed the two nation theory and settled for Pakistan.
Latest Articles