JAMMU, Jun 13: In a sharp critique of India’s historical decisions, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rohiin Chandan has described the Partition of India as one of the gravest blunders of the 20th century. Issuing a press note, Chandan accused India’s first PM Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah of prioritizing personal egos and political ambitions over national unity, leading to the tragic division of the motherland.
The Partition of India was not merely a geographical split but a deep wound inflicted on the soul of Bharat, Chandan asserted. He emphasized that the event, which resulted in unprecedented violence, mass migrations, and the loss of countless innocent lives, stemmed from a self-styled plan orchestrated by a few ambitious individuals. These leaders, according to him, allowed themselves to be manipulated by the divisive policies of the British rulers, who employed a ‘divide and rule’ strategy to weaken the Indian independence movement.
Chandan highlighted how Nehru and Jinnah’s insistence on their respective visions—Nehru’s centralized secularism and Jinnah’s two-nation theory—sowed the seeds of division. “Instead of forging a united front against colonial rule, personal egos prevailed. The result was a catastrophe that continues to haunt the subcontinent even today,” he remarked. Rohiin called for a national introspection on these historical missteps, urging younger generations to understand the true cost of partition and the importance of national integrity.
Chandan also turned his attention to the former Chief Minister of J&K, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. He criticized Abdullah for his role in the inclusion of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to the region. “Those who were the main protagonists of Article 370 later turned out to be its greatest abusers” Chandan stated emphatically. He asserted that the provision, intended as a temporary measure, became a tool for perpetuating separatism, dynastic politics, and alienation from the rest of India.
The BJP leader detailed how Article 370 created a psychological and administrative barrier, hindering full integration and development of Jammu and Kashmir. “Sheikh Abdullah and his successors exploited this article to consolidate power, often at the expense of the common people of the Valley. It fostered a sense of separatism that was exploited by anti-national forces,” he added. Chandan praised the bold decision by the PM Modi led Government in 2019 to abrogate Article 370, describing it as a historic step towards true integration, equality, and development in the Union Territory.
Drawing parallels between the Partition and the challenges posed by Article 370, Chandan warned against repeating historical mistakes. He stressed that unity in diversity is India’s greatest strength and that any compromise on national sovereignty for short-term political gains leads to long-term suffering. “The British may have left, but the mindset of division they promoted lingered in certain quarters. We must remain vigilant,” he cautioned.
Chandan also reflected on the broader implications for contemporary India. He called upon political parties across the spectrum to rise above partisan politics and work towards strengthening the idea of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He advocated for greater emphasis on history education that presents facts without ideological bias, encouraging citizens to learn from the past to build a stronger future.