08-13-2007, 02:47 AM
<b>Mudy Ji :</b>
Despite the bravado of the âGenerals, Mullahs and Politiciansâ the Pakistani Intelligentsia is slowly realizing âThe Pakistani Facts of Lifeâ and the following Article is an Eye Opener :
[center]<b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>A day of confessions : Amar Jaleel</span></b>[/center]
Pakistan celebrates its 60th Independence Day two days from today on August 14, 2007. The Independence Day celebrations have become a routine affair. Nothing worthwhile happens to commemorate the day millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs were uprooted, devastated, and massacred six decades ago. On this day was permanently drawn the line of demarcation between the Muslims and the Hindus being two different people, politically and religiously. The bond of nationhood that evolves through living together for centuries in one country was broken. <b>A small segment of the Muslims fled to Pakistan,</b> already a densely Muslim populated one-fifth portion of India that was earmarked as an independent country for the Muslims of the subcontinent. Among them were the genuine casualties of partition of India, and others were the fortune hunters in search of greener pastures. <b>An overwhelming majority of the Muslims, a number exceeding Muslims in Pakistan, either preferred to stay back or were left behind in India by the stalwarts of the All India Muslim League who were eager to hold the reins of the newly-created country.</b>
The Indian Muslims live under the ominous shadow of the Two-Nation Theory inculcating in their minds a strong feeling, if not of racial superiority, at least that of being different people from the rest of the Indians, especially the Hindus -- thus their lot is an isolated existence. The Two-Nation Theory has permanently placed the Indian counterparts of Pakistani Muslims in precarious uncertainty. However, the All India Muslim League succeeded in prevailing upon the British to partition India and carve out a piece from the subcontinent for the Muslims of India. On the part of the British their concurrence to the demand for partition was a political shift for their convenience. Pakistan became a reality between the night of 14 and 15 August, 1947. Since then Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on 14 August every year. The term independence in its intrinsic meaning hints at another term, dependence. The two terms are interrelated. One depends on the other and vice versa. By merely being dependent doesnât indicate that you will attain independence someday. It is your innate dislike for dependence and strong desire for being independent that ultimately leads you to independence. <b>Prior to 1947 Pakistan was nonexistent. Since Pakistan was not in existence its dependence on certain elements is nothing more than a hyperbole. It was India that was in shackles. It was in the subjugation of the British. The people of India launched a massive movement for independence. The force behind the persistent movement was the Indian peopleâs cherished desire for freedom from British yoke. <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>We are probably better off not discussing here how significant was the role of the Muslims in ousting the British from India. Let us leave it for some other occasion.</span></b>
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<i>Do we, as a nation, deserve to celebrate our Independence Day?</i>
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As regards Pakistanâs independence, the question arises: independence from whom, the Hindus? Sounds irrational. Prior to 1947 India was not ruled by a Hindu raja. India was a part of the Great Britain. For about 200 years kings and queens of England had remained the rulers of India. At the time of partition in 1947 King George VI was the ruler of India. Thus, on the face of it India achieved independence from the British Raj. <b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Being nonexistent Pakistan was not under domination of an alien rule. A country not in existence couldnât have launched a movement for independence. In fact, what we celebrate is not an Independence Day. It is Pakistan Day, for on this day Pakistan was created.</span></b>
I am hinting at an irrefutable juncture in history the coming generations are certain to confront someday when the truth would be separated from beliefs and ideologies. <b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>What is being taught to our children in the name of history and Pakistan Studies in schools is far from the truth. It is irritating stuff that is altered from time to time according to the whims of the succeeding rulers who outmaneuver each other frequently.</span></b>
August 14 is the day of analytical assessment of the turbulent 60 years in which millions have suffered silently the ignominies of existence -- insults, humiliations, hunger and pain. The people of this Promised Land have continually experienced bad governance for six decades. A nation that sustains itself on grants and aids is looked down upon internationally. It is a day that we came out of self-deception and looked at our crooked image in the universal mirror. What is our worth in the world? In fact, it is a day of confessions. Sixty years is sufficient time for a nation to prove its worth.
<b><span style='color:red'>Mismanaged Pakistan disintegrated after 24 years. East Pakistan battled its way to freedom from West Pakistani civil-military setup of dictators in 1971. It is disgusting to discuss what goes on in the country and around us. The backdoor entrants to power, the generals and the presidents strive to rule the country till doomsday. A former prime minister vying to become prime minister for a third time has joined hands with a dictator in an unholy alliance. Being poor, needy, and weak Pakistan has become a virtual colony of America. The White House decides who would be our next president or PM. Do we deserve to celebrate our Independence Day?</span></b>
Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->