POLITICAL MOBILITY

Anjna Farmah
 
Similarly to Matt, I have been meaining to post a blog about political mobility.  After I concluded that to me, mobility meant displacement, I talked to my Dad about the word in general. The discussion took a political turn and he began retelling stories that were told to him about the Partition of India in 1947.  Not knowing a lot about it, apart from handed down stories, I decided to research. The internet has some great passages but the best research I found were documentaries and films.
 
For some context;
In 1947, India had been ruled by the British Empire for nearly two decades. They had decided to return India back to her people but split the country in two to produce two countries. Many believe it was a mistake and unneccessary. People were displaced dependent on their location and religion. Indians had to live in India and Muslims had to live in Pakistan. Millions had to make the journey to live in the designated country and many lost ther lives. The boundaries were set by C Radcliffe working with Viceroy Mountbatten and split Punjab and Bengal in two. The British phased their exit to coincide before the boundary was made public.
 
After talking to my Dad, it was clear that my family was affected by the partition. The stories were not enough research and so I watched the documentary linked below and also a Bollywood film called Pinjar, which both gave the perspective of the people.
 
This political act was not considerate to the people. Peace was the aim but the implementation of the Partition produced violence, brutality and death. A friction was produced that many still feel. It was great that two identities and countries were made but do many modern asians understand the pain that was felt by our ancestors?
 
What does it say about the people following the dominant politics? Many don't have a voice, but as Gandhi tried to demonstrate, their is always a voice and sometimes expressing it and knowing for yourself that you have aired your opinion and sometimes being heard isn't the point.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rhIyPU1z0
 
The documentary has been divided up in 9 parts, but it is fascinating to watch and for me made me ask questions about my identity and heritage.
 

---

Did you know you can get Messenger on your mobile? Learn more.