Independence Day History Series: Partition of Bengal and Rise of Communalism

 On 14th August, 2010, India will celebrate 64 years of glorious freedom. We have much to celebrate and more to introspect about on the eve of Independence Day celebration. The country has far to go and grow. Today, we need to reflect on what our freedom fighters struggled to accomplish with their innumerable sacrifices to build this country into a free, independent nation with supreme sovereignty vested in the citizens of this country.

Independence Day History Series: Did British Rule Bring Communalism to India?
 
Independence Day cannot be celebrated without delving into facts about British rule in India. Much has been written about how the British introduced communalism in India but most historians state otherwise. When the British first entered India, the country was in fragments because different rulers had divided regions between themselves and ruled without unity. Historians point out that the British did something that no foreign rulers had done before in India – they brought India together as one, whole country and took away the autonomy of princely states that had once divided regions in India into several kingdoms of conflict.
 
During the British regime, there were several controversies that deepened the Hindu-Muslim chasm. The first was the Partition of Bengal. Let’s understand that in more detail.
 
Independence Day History Series: Did Bengal Partition Evoke Communalism?
 
Independence day celebration is important but to understand the little details of that era is more important today than ever before, considering how we, as a nation, struggle to fight off communal threats within and outside the country.
 
At the time of partition, the state of Bengal had been the least communally disturbed region, with a population of about 85 million. Lord Curzon, the Governor General, decided to split the state on a religious basis, a move that was seen as an excuse to divide Bengal in the guise of religion. The Hindus opposed the partition of Bengal most vehemently. It is interpreted by historians that territorial adjustment infringed their interests, particularly the Hindu business community as well as the zamindars who owned vast tracts of land in west and east Bengal. There were some who saw this move as a stepping stone to the growth of Muslim power in eastern Bengal.
 
To protest the Bengal partition, a majority of Hindus organized themselves through religious rituals, pujas and ceremonies to express their anger about partition. This form of religious agitation angered the Muslims, who in turn, urged their community to be faithful to the government’s decision. To express their solidarity, Muslims welcomed Lt. General Bampfylde Fuller with warmth and the All India Muslim League was founded in 1906, bestowing support to the government on the issue of Bengal’s partition. Following this, communal riots shook the nation and there was much bloodshed across the country. The Hindu – Muslim riots of 1907 marked the shame of this country’s unexpected stint with communalism and paved the way for bloodshed, many decades over, in the name of religion.
 
In 1911, the partition of Bengal was revoked and the British government annulled it officially on 1st April 1912.
 
Now that we are about to celebrate the 64th Independence day celebration, let us understand that most political leaders we look up to have not deviated much from the British policy of divide and rule. We haven’t even tried to deviate from our communal past, have we?
 
Now is a good time to start thinking about a better, brighter and stronger India for the sake of generations to come.
 
[Swapna Raghu Sanand, Editor @ lawisgreek.com, is the author of the Independence Day History Series]