THIS refers to the report ‘No sense of identity existed in subcontinent in past, says Hoodbhoy’ (April 30) about the launch of a book, Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future. According to the author, the usual history of Pakistan was “full of lies” and the Hindus acquiesced with the British civilian requirement and acquired English education, while the Muslims wasted their time and the British hired the Hindus into their system during their rule over India.

The moderator of the event touched upon the point that “… the British Indian army did not interfere in civilian affairs. After partition, the army in Pakistan interfered in civilian matters”. I think this was gross misstatement.

The last two viceroys of India were from the British armed forces; Lord Wavell (1943-47) was a senior officer of the British army, and Lord Louis Mountbatten (March 1947 onwards) was a British naval officer of high rank.

The hands of both these British officers were stained with the blood of Indian civilians. Be it forceful recruit-ment of Indian civilians to serve the British forces during World War II, or mishandling of partition, or the never-ending bloodshed in Kashmir on both sides, they were not averse to the idea of using military power against the civilians. They were devils and must be given their due share of the blame.

Farah Gul
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2023