It is the very nature of politics to corrupt a man, to make him impervious to human emotions and feelings. A politician is so drunk with power (not necessarily governmental), that all he seeks is more and more fame. The means by which he gains it are completely immaterial. He keeps getting sucked into a vortex of corruption that is so powerful, that he cannot even hear the pledges, the cries of the commoners – those very commoners who in the first place elected him to be their leader...elected him to serve them.
This article is about the indo-pak relations, and whether there is a scope for improvement in the future.
A common man is one who leads a simple and a harmonious life. He earns just about enough to feed, clothe and house his family. On special occasions, such as his son’s birthday, he is able to afford a present from the little money he could save. This man does not care much for the happenings in the world. Issues such as conflicts between his nation and another definitely play a role in his life on an emotional level, but they mean nothing more.
When man grows in fame, even by a little, he becomes an idol, even if to a very small group of people. The man starts altering his behaviour according to the expectations of these people. The fame grows and grows and so does the number of people who have started idolising him. The happiness he feels due to his success is unparalleled by any other event in his life.
As the man becomes more and more famous, the expectations of his followers grow. Up until a certain point, he is able to fulfil these expectations. However, beyond this point, psychological pressure builds up, which only grows and starts becoming insurmountable. The insurmountable pressure coupled with the fear of a failure forces him to skip the ethical steps he’d been following all his life, and turn to corruption.
The hatred between the people of India and Pakistan, as we all know, has been prevalent long before independence. All this began when the British introduced the divide and rule policy in 1905, when Muslims were given a majority in the state. The British repeatedly introduced anti-Hindu and anti-Muslim sentiments to create hatred between the two most dominant religions in the country. And by the time they were about to leave India, enough hatred had already been spread. In 1944, the talks between Gandhi and Jinnah failed. This was seen by Muslims as an acknowledgement that Jinnah represents all Indian Muslims. This, along with the Direct Action Day of 1945, was enough proof to show that a partition of the nation was inevitable.
Ever since then, the politicians of both the nations have very tactfully spread the message of hate for the neighbouring state through “failed” negotiations, militancy and blame-games . And this message has been spread more successfully in Pakistan. This is because the religious cults and the political fanatics have seen to it that the masses remain uneducated, so that they could cripple their minds with a feeling of hatred and disbelief.
To a Muslim, a Hindu was a best friend. To a Hindu, a Muslim was the love of his life. However, the greed of a few men has infused the minds of millions with hatred and nonsensical madness. The leaders of both the nations continue to fuel the hatred among the masses and it is a shame to see that most of us idolise them.
The wounds inflicted to our psyche by those corrupt few are probably irreparable, and in very realistic terms, I do not see a cure or a healer in sight.
