Indian Reunification Association

" There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come "---Victor Hugo.

The idea of reunification of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh under a secular, modern minded government which works for the people's welfare to raise the standard of living of our people, is an idea whose time has come ( see my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ' and B.N. Pande's speech ' History in the Service of Imperialism ' online ).

Ever since I posted the idea of an Indian Reunification Association on facebook I have literally been deluged with telephone calls, emails and fb messages not only from India but also from abroad supporting the idea, and asking what they should do to make it a reality.

For too long have we been befooled by Britishers and other Westerners that Hindus and Muslims are natural enemies and are two separate nations ( the bogus two nation theory )

For too long has blood flown between us due to the wickednness of supporters of this theory who have their own vested interest of divide and rule.

For too long has communalism and persecution of minorities been tolerated in this sub continent.

For too long has this artificial Partition lasted, whose whole aim was to prevent India ( in which I include Pakistan and Bangladesh ) from emerging as a modern industrial giant ( for which it has all the potential ), like China, by making us fight each other, thus keeping us weak and backward and ensuring super profits to foreign arms manufacturers whose weapons we have to purchase at the huge cost of billions of dollars annually, money which could have been spent on the welfare of our own 

poor peoples.

I have received telephone calls from people in U.K. USA and even countries like Brazil supporting the idea ( the Brazilian was not even from our sub continent, which shows that the idea has even international support ),

Many people told me that they have friends in Pakistan with whom they have spoken, and who support the idea, but are afraid of saying it openly for fear of persecution by the Pakistani security agencies.

This is indeed a genuine problem for Pakistanis, since the idea of reunification goes against the very concept of Pakistan, and they will be branded as anti-national by many and persecuted if they support it openly.. I recommend to them to meet secretly, not openly, and propagate the idea, just like the early Christians used to meet secretly in catacombs and other places to avoid persecution.

At present our task is to widely propagate the idea. Once that is done on a large scale the ways and means of reunification will be found out by the people using their creativity.

Truth has great power ( satya mein badi shakti hoti hai ). The idea of reunification is a true idea. We are one nation, and have been one since Mughal times. How long can the truth be suppressed, and how long can we kept separated ?.

The Indo-Pak-Bangladesh Reunification

The Indo-Pak-Bangladesh Reunification ( under a secular govt.) Association ( in brief known as the Indian Reunification Association )

I got the idea of starting this Association only this morning.

For long I have said that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are really one nation called India, temporarily divided by the British on the basis of the bogus two nation theory and the wicked divide and rule policy ( see my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ' and B.N.Pande's speech ' History in the Service of Imperialism ' online ), that Pakistan is a fake, artificial entity, that Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are really Indians, and that we are bound to reunite one day. Only when we reunite can we emerge as a modern industrial giant, with our people enjoying full employment, healthcare, good education, nutritious food, etc and a high standard of living.

For too long have the Westerners, as well our internal reactionaries, befooled us into thinking that Hindus and Muslims are natural enemies, but how much longer must we remain befooled ? How much longer must blood flow between us ?

We share the same culture, we look like each other, we talk in Hundustani. I feel myself no different from Pakistanis when I meet them. In fact when abroad Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis intermix and socialize as if Partition had never taken place.

The first step in this process of reunification is to build up public opinion in favour of this idea. Once this idea grips the masses in India ( in which word I include Pakistan and Bangladesh ) no power in the world will be able to successfully oppose it ( though reactionaries, at home and abroad, will put up fierce resistance )

The setting up of the Indo-Pak-Bangladesh Reunification ( under a secular govt.) Association ( in brief known as the Indian Reunification Association ) will be the first organized step in the direction of reunification. I will temporarily be the President of the Association, until some other younger person is found to replace me.

The basic ideology of this Association will be as mentioned in my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ', in B.N. Pande's speech ' History in the Service of Imperialism ', and my other blogs in this connection on my blog justicekatju.blogspot.in.

Those who think that reunification is not possible since a lot of time has passed since 1947 need only be reminded that Germany was partitioned in 1945, but was reunited in 1990, Vietnam was partitioned by the Geneva Accords in 1954, but was reunuted in 1975, China has still not recognized Taiwan, etc.

Those who think unification is a only a dream, are reminded that when Mazzini spoke of Italian Unification, most people called him a dreamer, but later his dream was made a reality by Cavour and Garibaldi.

The object of this Association will be diametrically opposed to the ' Akhand Bharat ' concept of the RSS. While the RSS wants a united Hindu India, this Association wants a united secular India, in which religious freedom is guaranteed, but religious bigotry and extremism is not tolerated and is crushed.

All of you in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even in foreign countries who subscribe to the views of this Association can start units of the Association wherever you are, and can communicate with me on mark_katju@yahoo.co.in.

This is only the beginning of a long process, and I invite suggestions from all who agree with the need for reunification about practical details of the organizational set up

One and only solution to the Kashmir problem.

Indian people, Indian govt. and Indian armed forces, Pakistanis, Kashmiris,

Let me tell you the one and only solution to the Kashmir problem. You must know it, otherwise you are heading for disaster. For too long have you been befooled.

Listen to me patiently and coolly, and only thereafter express your opinion. You can certainly disagree with me, but in that case you must give me reasons, not abuse.

1. On what basis was the Partition of India done in 1947 ? On the basis of the two nation theory, that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations.

2. If we accept the two nation theory, then logically Kashmir, whose population is 95% Muslim, should have gone to Pakistan

3. So unless we say that the two nation theory itself was bogus, ( which indeed it was ) and that the historical swindle by the British of dividing India on the basis of religion must be undone, and India and Pakistan ( and Bangladesh ) must be reunited under a secular Government, as I have been saying for years, Indians have no right to say that Kashmir is an integral part of India and must remain with India.

To say that a long time has passed since 1947 is irrelevant. Germany was reunited in 1990 after its partition in 1945. China has still not recognized Taiwan

4. In other words, the solution, and the only solution, to the Kashmir problem, is reunification of India and Pakistan ( and Bangladesh ) under a secular, modern minded government.

For long have I been saying this, a solitary voice crying in the wilderness, but for saying this truth I was branded as a madman, a crank, a dreamer, a utopian, and even things worse.

5. Those who say that Pakistan is the 'epicentre' of terrorism, and therefore we should not unite with 'terrorists', are talking rubbish. I know many Pakistanis, and find them fine people. I have repeatedly said that 99% Pakistanis ( like 99% Indians ) are good people, though there are 1% rascals on both sides. In fact Indians and Pakistanis are really one people, artificially ( but temporarily ) divided by the British for Western vested interests.

When I meet Pakistanis I feel no different from them. We speak to each other in Hindustani, we look like each other, we share the same culture, etc. In fact we are one. We were befooled by the British into thinking that Hindus and Muslims are enemies of each other, but how much longer must we remain befooled ? How much longer must blood flow between us ?

But that does not detract from the fact that Pakistan is a fake, artificial entity ( I refuse to call it a country ), created by the wicked British on the basis of the bogus two nation theory ( see my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ' online and on my blog justicekatju.blogspot.in. It was published in the Pakistani newspaper 'The Nation' a few years back )

6. So all of you think coolly about what I have said above. Dont quickly accept or reject it. Take your time, and deliberate on it, and dicuss it with others.

Once you accept my ideas on principle, the details about how to practically work them out can be examined later.

Indians ( and Pakistanis and Kashmiris, whom I regard also as Indians ), wake up, you are on the brink of a precipice. One more step of foolishness, and down you go deep into a calamity

Thank you Kashmiris, thank you Pakistan

I had said several times that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh must reunite, as the Partition of 1947 was a historical swindle and a colossal fraud by the British on the basis of the bogus two nation theory and the wicked divide and rule policy.

Many people called my idea of reunification only a dream, just as many people called Mazzini's vision of a united Italy a dream, or Bismarck's vision of a united Germany a dream. And I too often wondered, while never doubting the correctness of my belief in reunification, how and when it could be practically achieved ?

Now Kashmiris by demanding Azadi, and the Pakistani Govt. by supporting that demand, have solved my problem.

India must first break up and dismember that fake, artificial entity ( I refuse to call it a country ) called Pakistan, by sending arms and other supplies on a large scale to Sind, Balochistan and NWFP, whose people are sick and fed up of Punjabi domination, and rightly and legitimately want azadi.

Thereafter India should persuade these independent countries i.e. Sind, Balochistan and NWFP to voluntarily join India, in initially a confederation, and later, if they so wish, a union, under a secular govt. which while guaranteeing freedom of religion to all does not tolerate religious extremism and bigotry. This govt. of reunited India must then rapidly industrialize the country and ensure a decent life with employment, healthcare, nutritious food, good education, housing, etc to all its citizens.

So thank you Kashmiris and Pakistanis. You have solved my problem, and have shown the practical path to reunification

We must reunite

Some people agree on principle with my idea of reunified secular India , which includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but ask how it is to be achieved in practice ? So I will reply
As Victor Hugo said " There is one thing more powerful than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come ".

The idea of reunified India is an idea whose time has come. Pakistan is a fake, artificial entity ( see my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ' online ), and Partition on the basis of the bogus two nation theory has created enormous problems. We have been fighting each other since 1947, and wasting enormous resources on these fights and tensions, instead of utilizing our resources in uplifting our people from poverty.

I have repeatedly said that 99% Pakistanis are good people, just as 99% Indians are good people. 99% Hindus are good people, and 99% Muslims are good people.

We are really one people, but the British befooled us by their wicked divide and rule policy and bogus two nation theory, which was systematically propagated since 1857 through their agents, into believing that Hindus and Muslims are enemies. But how much longer must we remain befooled ? How much longer must blood flow in our sub continent ?
The time has come to undo the historical fraud and swindle of Partition, and reunite under a secular modern minded government, which rapidly industrializes the country and raises the standard of living of our people. This govt. while guaranteeing freedom of religion to all, must crush religious extremism and bigotry with an iron hand.

So what must be done to reunify ? This will not be easy, because those who divided us will not allow us to easily reunify. An arduous long drawn struggle will be needed for this.

The first step in that direction will be to propagate and spread the idea that we must reunify if we are to progress. Here is where all patriotic intellectuals, like many of you, are needed. You have to be very patient, and coolly explain to people in India and Pakistan ( and Bangladesh ) why we must reunify. You may face tremendous hostility in the beginning ( as I have faced ). 

You will be told that the idea of reunification is a pipe dream, as Partition took place in 1947, and since then much water has flown. You should reply that Germany was reunited in 1990 after its Partition in 1945. So time is immaterial when we are really one nation.

Others will say that there is too much hatred between the people of the two countries to reunite. You should reply that this hatred is artificial, and created by false propaganda. Merely because we are of different religions does not mean we are enemies. We share the same culture, and have the same massive problems of poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, lack of healthcare. We should reunite to jointly fight to give our people decent lives, instead of fighting each other.

Once this idea of reunification grips the masses in both countries some way of peacefully reuniting will emerge, though how exactly that will happen cannot be predicted
.

India and Pakistan

Just as Prime Minister Vajpayee's acclaimed Lahore bus visit and the Lahore Declaration in February 1999 was followed by the Kargil war in May the same year, so also Prime Minister Modi's recent Lahore visit, with all its bonhomie, hoopla and fanfare has been followed by the attack by militants on the Pathankot Air Force base, and later by the attack on the Indian consulate in Mazhar-e-Sharif.

There are many people who want improvement of relations between India and Pakistan. They say that if France and Germany can live as good neighbours after long years of animosity, why cannot we ?

In my opinion such people are living in a fool's paradise, and they forget certain basic facts.

Pakistan was created by the Britishers as a theological state on the basis of the bogus two nation theory, that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations,so that Hindus and Muslims keep fighting each other, and thereby two aims of Westerners are achieved

(1) Our subcontinent remains weak, and does not emerge as a modern industrial giant, like China, of which it has now all the potential with our huge pool of engineers, technicians, scientists, and immense raw materials, and our economy does not become a big rival to Western industries.

(2) India ( of which Pakistan is really a part ) keeps spending billions of dollars on arms purchases from Western arms manufacturers, money which could and should have been spent on the welfare of our people to reduce poverty, unemployment, malnourishment, lack of healthcare, etc.

So all this talk of ' improving ' relations between India and Pakistan is humbug and cant. There can never be good relations between India and Pakistan becuase if there are good relations beteen the two, the very raison d'etre of Pakistan will disappear.

How was Pakistan created ?

 For this we have to delve into history.

Up to 1857, there were no communal problems in India.  All communal riots and animosity began after 1857. No doubt even before 1857, there were differences between Hindus and Muslims, the Hindus going to temples and the Muslims going to mosques, but there was no animosity. In fact, the Hindus and Muslims used to help each other like brothers; Hindus used to participate in Eid celebrations, and Muslims in Holi and Diwali. The Muslim rulers like the Mughals, Nawab of Awadh and Murshidabad, Tipu Sultan, etc were totally secular; they organised Ramlilas, participated in Holi, Diwali, etc. Ghalib’s affectionate letters to his Hindu friends like Munshi Shiv Naraln Aram, Har Gopal Tofta, etc attest to the affection between Hindus and Muslims at that time.

In 1857, the ‘Great Mutiny’ broke out in which the Hindus and Muslims jointly fought against the British. This shocked the British government so much that after suppressing the Mutiny, they decided to start the policy of divide and rule (see online “History in the Service of Imperialism” by B.N. Pande). All communalism after 1857, artificially engineered by the British authorities. The British collector would secretly call the Hindu Pandit, pay him money, and tell him to speak against Muslims, and similarly he would secretly call the Maulvi, pay him money, and tell him to speak against Hindus. This communal poison was injected into our body politic year after year and decade after decade.

In 1909, the ‘Minto-Morley Reforms’ introduced separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims. The idea was propagated that Hindi is the language of Hindus, while Urdu of Muslims (although Urdu was the common language of all educated people, whether Hindu, Muslim or Sikh in large parts of India upto 1947). The RSS and Hindu Mahasabha were created by the British to spread hatred of Muslims, and Muslim League was created by them to spread hatred of Hindus ( the Congress party was also created by the British through their agent A.O.Hume, and its leadership later taken over by their agent Gandhi, who ensured that the genuine independence struggle initiated by Bhagat Singh, Surya Sen, etc was diverted to a harmless non violent direction so as not to harm British interests ) ). The Aligarh Muslim University and Benaras Hindu University were set up to further this communal divide. All this vicious propaganda resulted in the partition of 1947, which created a fake, artificial theocratic nation called Pakistan.

Nation states arose in Europe around the 16th century because of the rise of modern industry. Modern industry, unlike feudal handicraft industry, requires a big market for its goods and a large area from where it can get raw materials.

The creation of a state based on religion destroys the very basis of a nation, because it cuts off industries from markets and raw materials.

British imperialism created India as a big administrative unit. The British policy was to prohibit the growth of heavy industry in India; otherwise, the Indian industry, with its cheap labour, would have become a powerful rival to British industry.

When the British left India, they divided us so that we may keep fighting each other and remain backward and weak, and not emerge as a modern powerful industrial state (for which we have now all the potential), and a market for their arms industries. This was the real reason for creating Pakistan.

I submit that Pakistan was doomed from its very inception; firstly, because there is such tremendous diversity in our subcontinent that only secularism can work here, and secondly, because a modern nation cannot be based on religion (because this will cut it off from its markets and raw materials).

If this theory, that religion can be the basis of a nation, is accepted then logically England should be partitioned into at least about 8 states. The majority in England are Anglican Protestant Christians, but there are many Scottish Presbyterians and other kinds of Protestants, Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, etc. Similarly, France has a sizeable Muslim population (descendants of North African Arabs belonging to the former French colonies in North Africa) and Germany has many Turks.. The French and German Muslims, and people of other religions too, should then be given  separate states (if the two nation theory is accepted as valid ).

Anyone can see that this will create chaos. Hardly any country can survive if this theory is accepted because in almost every country there are people of different religions. And in the Indian subcontinent secularism is all the more vital in view of the tremendous diversity here (because the Indian subcontinent is broadly a country of immigrants, as I have pointed out in my article 'What is India' on my blogjusticekatju.blogspot.in and in the video on the website kgfindia.com ).

We can see the result of creating a theocratic state (Pakistan) in which chaos and religious extremism is prevailing so that many people cannot lead normal lives. Apart from the minorities (Hindus, Christians, Sikhs,etc), Ahmadis, Shias, etc are also persecuted, and intolerance and terrorism is the order of the day. In India, too, certain vested interests thrive on communalism. So secularism is the only policy which is suitable to our subcontinent.

I am confident that with passage of time people, both in India and Pakistan, will realise the truth in what I am saying, and India and Pakistan ( and Bangladesh ) will reunite under a strong, secular government which does not tolerate religious extremism, whether Hindu or Muslim, and crushes with it with an iron hand.

Secularism does not mean that one cannot practice his religion. It means that religion is a private affair, unconnected with the state that will have no religion.

What is Pakistan ? It is Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP. All these were part of India since Mughasl times.

When I meet Pakistanis, we speak in Hindustani, we look like each other, share the same culture, and feel no difference between ourselves. We were befooled by the Britishers into thinking that we are enemies, but how much longer must we remain befooled? How much longer must blood flow in religious violence in Quetta, Karachi, Gujarat, Kashmir etc..?

Those who oppose the idea of reunification say it is only a pipe dream. But when Mazzini proposed unification of Italy his idea too was initially regarded as a pipe dream, but this dream became a reality later under Cavour and Garibaldi. Germany was united by Bismarck.

Many people say that we were divided in 1947, and much water has flown since then. But Germany was united in 1990 after being divided for 45 years. Vietnam was united in 1975 after being divided for 30 years. China has not yet recognized Taiwan, though separated from it since 1945.

Many people say that we cannot unite because there is too much religious extremism on both sides. I submit that this extremism is largely artificially created, and will subside once we are reunited under a strong secular government which does not tolerate it. Most people want to live in peace and harmony.

I do not expect reunification in the immediate future, particularly since those who have divided us will not let us easily reunite. But reunification is an idea whose time has come, and this idea must be spread by all patriotic people

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are uncivilized countries

This is an email I have received from a Muslim. I have deleted the name of the sender

Dear honorable Justice Katju,

Greetings from India!!!

I hope you are enjoying your stay in Vancouver. I am --- from Mewat(Haryana), famously known as  the land of Meos which is just 50 to 60 Kms from our Capital city.

I have been following your Facebook page since last couple of months. I am really impressed by your uncompromising stand against injustice, tyranny, oppression and uncanny desire to convey the truth fearlessly. Though I don't agree on everything that you say.

I have started to see my own country through the eyes of a victim as there has been constant threat for the existence, property and dignity of minority communities like Muslims, Christians and Dalits.

Anti-minority sentiments are rising exponentially and our great nation has been polarized like never before. I can give you many evidences to validate this statement.

Yesterday while Modi Ji was busy in celebrating Modiversary, the plundering and burning of Muslim homes, places of worship and killing of innocent children and women was going on in Ballabgarh(Haryana). This inhumane act was not even covered by mainstream media.

Another horrific incidence took place against Dalits on 16th May in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The people of Jat community crushed 3 Dalits under tractor and derobed their women publicly. I can go on and on.

As I have started to consider you as a fighter against injustice and oppression. I ask you how we can totally stop these barbaric acts against minority communities and secure justice to all.

I look forward to receive permanent solutions to stop these inhumane and barbaric acts.

Thanks and Regards

My reply was :

 A hallmark of a civilized society is that minorities therein can live with dignity and honour. It is the duty of the majority community everywhere to ensure that minorities can live with dignity and honour.

 From that standpoint India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not civilized societies, because minorities cannot live with dignity and honour in any of these countries

99% Muslims, and 99% Pakistanis are good people

 In the comments on my post ' Massacre of Ismailis in Pakistan ' many views which were very unfair to Muslims in general, and Sunnis and Pakistanis in particular were expressed. Has all my teaching to you Indians gone waste ?

 I have repeatedly told you that 99% people of all communities, sects, lingual and ethnic groups are good people, though they may sometimes be misguided by a few wicked people. This is what my teacher, the great French thinker Rousseau taught me when I was still a young man, a lesson which is deeply embedded in me even now when I am 69 years old, and is a core principle in my philosophy ( see Will Durant's ' The Story of Civilization : Rousseau and Revolution ' ).. I have repeatedly tried to pass on this truthful knowledge to you all, but sometimes I feel I am hitting my head against a wall, and that most of you are absolute blockheads and incorrigible. For the fault of 1% mischievous persons you blame the entire community. Have you no brains ?

 As I explained to you in several articles, e.g. ' What is India ' ( see my blog justicekatju.blogspot.in and on the website kgfindia.com ), India is broadly a country of immigrants, like North America, and this is why it has so much diversity--so many religions, castes, languages, ethnic groups, etc. So the only policy which will work in our sub continent is secularism and giving equal respect to all communities, etc. , the policy of the great Emperor Akbar.

 To demonize Muslims, or Sunnis or Pakistanis is playing into the hands of our enemies who wish Indians ( in whom I include Pakistanis and Bangladeshis ) to hate each other and fight with each other, and thereby keep India backward and poor. When will you people wake up and realize the truth ?.

Kashmiris

Kashmiris will have to keep suffering because many of them foolishly kept demanding separation from India, which will never be granted, instead of demanding reunification of India and Pakistan under a secular government which does not tolerate religious extremism of any kind, whether Hindu or Muslim, as I repeatedly advised.

 Since good advice has not worked, now only bitter experience will work. Sad, but true

Reply to Mr. Sartaj Aziz

Mr. Sartaj Aziz, the Adviser to the Pakistan Prime Minister on foreign affairs, in a statement made in the Pakistan Senate recently, said

(1) Pakistan will not accept the superiority of India, and 

(2) It would continue highlighting the Kashmir issue worldwide.

 My reply is : 

(1) The question of superiority and inferiority arises if there are two countries. But if there is only one country, where is the question of superiority or inferiority ?

 In fact Pakistan is no country at all. It is a fake, artificial entity created by the British on the basis of the bogus two nation theory to ensure that Hindus and Muslims keep fighting each other,and that India ( of which Pakistan is really a part ) does not emerge as a modern, powerful, prosperous country, like China, for which it has now all the potential with its huge pool of bright engineers and scientists, and immense natural resources.

 The two nation theory, that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations, was a mischievous hoax  and fraud by the British on the Indian people using their agents like Jinnah, and Partition in 1947 was done on that basis. Since the theory itself is bogus, the only resolution of this historical swindle and fraud is reunification of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh under a strong, secular, modern minded government which will not tolerate religious extremism of any kind and crush it with an iron hand.

 People in India ( in which I include Pakistan and Bangladesh ) must realize that we were duped and taken for a ride by the British. The British and some others are still laughing at us, seeing how they befooled us. Do you like to be befooled and laughed at ?

 Those who say that much water has passed since 1947 and now what is done cannot be undone should be reminded of Germany which was reunited after 45 year separation. China has still not recognized Taiwan, though they were separated in 1945. Did President Abraham Lincoln accept the Confederate States of America ( the slave holding states  ) in 1861 ?

 Some say that the reunification idea of mine is a day dream. My reply is : when Mazzini proposed unification of Italy, most people said it was  a day dream, but it was realized later by Cavour and Garibaldi.

 When I meet Pakistanis I feel no different from them, we look like each other, speak the same language ( Hindustani ), have the same culture ( love for Urdu poetry, Hindustani classical music, etc ), the same food habits, etc. In fact when Indians and Pakistanis meet in foreign countries they mix together and socialize as if Partition never took place.We were befooled by the Britishers into thinking we were enemies, but how much longer must we remain befooled ? How much longer must blood flow between us ?
 What is Pakistan ? It is Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP. These were part of India in the time of Emperor Ashoka ( his edicts are still found in some of those places ). They were part of India in Mughal and British times.
  Those who talk of 'improving' relations ; between India and Pakistan are living in a fool's paradise. Pakistan was created so that there should be perpetual enmity between us, and thereby India should remain weak and poor. Whenever it appears that relations between us are improving there is some incident of hostility.
 Look at the amount of money we spend on arms purchases abroad. India spends about 40 billion dollars every year on arms purchases, and Pakistan also spends a huge amount on them. Much of this money could be saved and spent on the welfare of our people. Can a poor country like ours afford such huge amounts on unproductive matters ?

 Of course reunification will take time, may be 15-20 years, firstly because those who divided us will not let us easily reunite, and secondly because the poison of the divide and rule policy ( communal hatred ) which was injected into our society consistently by the British after 1857 ( see my article ' The Truth about Pakistan ' and the speech 'History in the Service of Imperialism ' by B.N. Pandey, available online ) will take time to remove. However, I am injecting the anti-dote, though it will take time to have effect, as the poison of one and a half centuries cannot be eliminated in one day.

 (2) The Kashmir issue will automatically be resolved on the reunification of India and Pakistan under a strong, secular government. Then both parts of Kashmir will be united, and have a democratically elected state government, but within a federal Indian government. I am myself a Kashmiri, and have the welfare of Kashmir at heart. I know what the Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits have suffered. My message to Kashmiris is not to be misguided by the separatist leaders who have their own vested interests and agenda, and who do not really care for the welfare of Kashmiris. Talk of independence for Kashmir is nonsensical, and will result in more suffering. Instead of the slogan of independence, Kashmiris must raise the slogan of reunification of India and Pakistan under a strong secular government.

 Secularism does not mean that one cannot practise one's own religion. It means that religion is a private affair, unconnected with the state, which will have no religion.