Zach Shriver

Democracy and Global Diversity

India Game
Dr. Wilson

Keeping India as One United Nation

With our recent push towards independence we, as a nation, are met
with many difficult decisions. One issue of major debate is whether or not we
should partition India into two separate nations due to religion differences. I,
Nehru (member of the Indian National Congress), know that a division of
India would be a grave mistake for this wonderful nation. At a time where
much of the world is in shambles from the previous World War, our focus
should be primarily on creating a strong, modern, unified India.
Much of the support for splitting the nation stems from the religious
differences of Hindus and Muslims. However, by dividing the country these
differences will only amplify and cause an immense amount of problems for
both sides. If India splits we will be left with one predominately Muslim, and
one predominately Hindu nation. This will in turn leave two very vulnerable
minorities in each nation. Hindus from the west will constitute only a very
small minority which will be fearfully exposed to the vast majority of
Muslims. Muslims will likewise be oppressed by the huge majority of Hindus
in the east. Keeping this nation as one would prevent these small and

vulnerable minorities to be subjected to what Jinnah calls his hostage

theory in which the two minorities are unfairly used for negotiation
leverage. (Carnes, 19) There will be a drastic increase in religious oppression
if we do not stay united as one nation. Both Muslims and Hindus must work
together just as we did in the Indian independence movement and keep this
nation united as one. The Indian National Congress is a terrific example of
how religious differences can be overcome and how Hindus and Muslims can
work together in harmony. The Indian National Congress is predominantly
Hindu yet we are led by our Muslim leader, Azad. Although we are of
different backgrounds, we share a common desire to do what is best for India
as a whole. I think that this desire is true for all the great people of India.
Gandhi speaks on the similarities of Muslims and Hindus in his Collected
Works by saying;
A Bengali Muslim speaks the same tongue that a Bengali
Hindu

does,

eats

the

same

food,

has

the

same

amusements as his Hindu neighbor Hindus and Muslims

of India are not two nations. Those whom God has made
one, man will never be able to divide. (Carnes, 63)
In reality we are all not that different. We have been through the same
struggles and have been oppressed by outside nations for over 350 years. It
is time to focus on our similarities rather than our differences and remain as
one strong and unified nation.

From an economic standpoint, keeping this nation united is necessary

for a strong self-sufficient economy. Dividing India will consequently weaken
the economy due to the very lopsided geographical location of our resources.
The predominately Hindu region of the country will not suffer as bad due to
the rich amount of mineral resources and industrial areas located in the east;
however, the Muslim areas will suffer greatly. Muslims that demand
separation must realize that their nation could not exist without a great deal
of outside assistance from other nations.
The debate over the partition of our country also ignites the debate of
whether India should have a strong or weak government. I believe I speak for
all of Congress when I say that that it is in the best interest of the people if
we have a strong central government. A weak central government gives all
the authority to the states and does not allow for a central agency to keep
them in check. This will in turn create religious specific accommodations that
vary from state to state. Consequently, as I mentioned above regarding the
partition, many vulnerable minorities will be subjected to religious
oppression. Abraham Lincoln states in his first inaugural address that for a
democracy to function, there should be no permanent majority, but always
the possibility that the minority could attract enough support to become the
majority." (Hay, 224) This would not be possible if we segregate ourselves
into separate states. States that are predominately Muslim will have no
sympathy for the small minority of Hindus and will force solely Muslim
beneficial laws for their states. This will hold true for Hindu dominated states

as well. A strong central government would eliminate this problem by having

the authority to keep each state in check.
I ask you all to put aside your religious differences and consider my
argument solely for the good of this great nation. Splitting into two separate
nations would be a major mistake for all the people of India; one in which
cannot be undone. Our main focus needs to be on a free and functioning
India. We need to become united and work together as one.

WORKS CITED

Embree, Ainslie Thomas., Stephen N. Hay, and Bary William Theodore De.
Sources of Indian Tradition. New York: Columbia UP, 1988. Print.
Embree, Ainslie Thomas. and Mark C. Carnes. Defining a Nation: India on the
Eve of Independence, 1791
2005. Print.

[i.e. 1945]. New York: Pearson Longman,