Two countries were created at the cost of massacre of millions of innocent people
Shuhban Ali Siyal
‘Train to Pakistan’ is a historical novel written by renowned Indian journalist and author Khushwant Singh. The roots of the novel are linked to Indo-Pak partition 1947, when the subcontinent was divided into two states, India and Pakistan. The story takes place in a fictional village called Mano Majra located at the border between the two countries. The village has a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh residents who have lived together peacefully for centuries. As the partition announced, tensions and hate rise and violence erupts throughout the region.
The novel is not just a story but carries a powerful message about the consequences of division. Through the narrative, we are inspired to reflect on how hatred and prejudice can tear communities apart.
The art of writing is beautifully used by author that incarcerate reader to read it complete. The reader may find out realistic injustice in the novel. Having crossed, half book reading, reader may find that the author mentions trains full of dead bodies sent by Pakistan mainly, but by Indian side rarely any train returns to Pakistan with dead bodies, while the fact is that the people were killed, shot, stabbed, clubbed, tortured, and raped on both sides.
The art of writing is beautifully used by author that incarcerate reader to read it complete
The story begins with the murder of a Hindu man named Lala Ram Lal in Mano Majra by a gang of Malli and the blame is put on Juggut Singh, (hero of novel, a local youth who initially has a questionable character but later shows good qualities) involved in a romantic relationship with Nooran, the daughter of Molvi Imam Baksh.
Malli and his gang try to pin the crime on Jugga, which results in the arrests of both Iqbal (revolutionary social worker) and Jugga due to local suspicions. They are arrested due to the orders of Hukum Chand, the regional magistrate, a corrupted person, having guilt and detest to Muslims, try to spread rioting in Mano Majra. Hukum Chand, illegally prison them and assume Iqbal Singh as Muhammad Iqbal in arrest warrants, to increase misconception and hate between Muslims and Sikhs.
The fact is that the people were killed, shot, stabbed, clubbed, tortured, and raped on both sides
Conflict starts in Mano Majra when a train full of corpses is brought to town, sent by Pakistan. The villagers become angry and harbor resentment towards the Muslim population. A group of Sikhs suggests that the Muslims should be sent to a refugee camp until the situation in controlled. Imam Baksh informs Nooran that they must leave, even though she refuses to go to Pakistan. But if they do not leave willingly, they will be thrown out. Nooran goes to Jugga’s home mentions to his mother that she is two-month pregnant of Jugga’s child. Juggut’s mother says that, when Jugga gets out of jail, she will ensure that he reunites with Nooran.
After Muslims’ evacuating, a group of local Sikhs arrives in Mano Majra with the intention of inciting anti-Muslim sentiment and subverting the train carrying the refugees to Pakistan. As they plan for revenge attack, Hukam Chand comes to know that Sikhs are going to attack refugee train, he became happy, but suddenly he was informed that his beloved Hasseena was also in the train. He is puzzled and releases both Iqbal and Jugga to stop the killing. Jugga, climbs the steel span of the bridge, pulls out a small Kirpan and slashes the rope. A person from attacker raises his rifle and shoots. The rope is in shreds, but a tough strand remains. Jugga snaps it with his teeth. A volley of shots then rings out, sending Jugga to the ground. The rope snaps and falls with him. The train goes over his body, towards Pakistan. Jugga however saved is beloved Nooran at the cost of his life.
Two countries were created at the cost of massacre of millions of innocent people.
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Shuhban Ali Siyal, studies in language and literature at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed, Benazirabad (Nawabshah) Sindh
