The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : BJP working on a compromise

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Friday, Jun 10, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

BJP working on a compromise

The editorial "Advani sets Jinnah among the parivar" (June 9) makes a reference to the erratic evolution of Pakistan into an Islamicist state. If M.A. Jinnah could not implement his vision of a secular state, it was because he did not live long. None can deny that Jinnah did not represent the hardcore Indian Muslims. The Congress drove him to the wall by refusing to share power with the Muslim League in the 1937 elections. The suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi to make Jinnah the Prime Minister of an undivided independent India fell on deaf ears. That is the tragedy of modern Indian history.

S. Gopala Krishan,
Chennai

The editorial reflects on the true import of a secular state as highlighted by Jinnah's August 1947 address. Though he failed to achieve it, his vision for Pakistan cannot be faulted. It was probably akin to Gandhiji's vision of Ram Rajya, which his followers never took seriously.

S. Neelakantan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

Mr. Advani's visit to Pakistan can be seen as a diplomatic success for Pervez Musharraf who realises that an accord on Kashmir cannot be reached without the support of the BJP. Mr. Advani's tribute to Jinnah will cause some surprise but, as Nehru noted in his autobiography, the demand for the partition of India had little to do with religious differences. "It was a political conflict between those who wanted a united India and elements who, under the guise of religion, wanted to preserve their special interests."

Tirumalai Raman,
Chennai

Jinnah refused to join the Muslim League in 1905 when it was founded. Mr. Advani was not wrong in describing him as secular. Why should such a hue and cry be created over this?

V. Krishna Chaitanya,
Hyderabad

Mr. Advani's statement that Jinnah was secular is factually correct. It is well known that Jinnah was firmly opposed to communalism. He was strongly against the Khilafat movement.

His address to the Constituent Assembly cast Pakistan in secular mould. That it turned out otherwise is a different matter.

C.B. Druthikar,
Bangalore

There is a view that the two-nation theory would not have gained in strength if Jinnah, a liberal Congressman, had not been pushed to a corner and antagonised by the Nehru group.

K.P.G. Menon,
Palakkad, Kerala

After 57 years of independence, a bold leader from India has vouched for the secularism of Jinnah who, as Gokhale described, was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity in his earlier days. He is to the people of Pakistan what Mahatma Gandhi is to Indians.

If Indians want Gandhi to be respected by others, they should treat leaders of other countries with respect. Let Mr. Advani's praise for Jinnah signal a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations wherein leaders are mutually admired and respected.

Swetha R. Deepak,
Chennai

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