TWO-NATION THEORY IN RETROSPECT

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                TWO-NATION  THEORY  IN  RETROSPECT

The problem on the way to Indian freedom was not only chasing away the colonial rulers but also how to handle the Hindu-Muslim divide. The Muslim population, led by Jinnah believed that once the Britishers went back, the big brothers (Hindus) in free India would suppress the minorities(Muslims). They had, therefore a pre-condition of having a separate country comprising Muslim majority regions in western India and Bengal. Even Gandhi could not succeed in persuading them to aschew this unreasonable demand and ulatimately Pakistan came into being on Aug14,1947. Even after 66 years of its existence, there is no peace in Pakistan. The country finds democracy elusive and after regular intervals has been coming under military rule. Due to its espousal of militancy, the country is today defamed as a hub of terrorism. Pakistan is in close touch with Chechen(Chechnia), Uygur (China), Rohingya (Myanmar) Muslims who carry on violent destructive activities in their native countries. Inside Pakistan itself, what to talk about the Hindus and Christians, even Shia, Mohajir and Ahmadiya Muslims are not safe due to inimically aggressive postures of the majority.

Today, there are 49 countries in the world with Muslim majority. If the two-nation theory was so sound, all these countries would have nothing but peace and prosperity. Iraq had waged a full-fledged war on Kuwait and Iran. Kuwait was saved with the US support. The USA captured Iraq and killed Saddam Hussain. Even after American withdrawal, the country is not having internal harmony. Syria has Sunni majority population but the rulers are Shia and the country is in the throes of acute civil war. Unfortunately these days of holy Ramjan in Iraq and Syria, the warring communities are targeting each others mosques for bomb blast. Afghanistan is having the painful experience of Russian occupation, Talibani outrages and then American intervention. Pakistan is waiting for the withdrawal of the NATO forces in 2014, when it would once again try to occupy this unfortunate country by instigating the Talibans. Of late another Islamic country, Egypt is in the grip of acute civil war between the army and the Islamic Brotherhood. The Sunni dominated Islamic countries are supporting the deposed president Mursi of the Brotherhood, whereas the West and USA are helping the liberal elements, represented by the army.

Can the proponents of the two-nation theory explain me why these Muslim countries are still miles away from the internal harmony? Let them forget petty quarrels and join hands to establish democratic govts because even today that is the best form of polity.