Train To Pakistan Essay

Khuswant Singh’s Train to Pakistan is perhaps his best novel; most sensitive. Sex as an aspect of love as the author cherishes as an invariable aspect of it is present here too but not so prominently over the real love involving not only senses but mind and heart and psyche. The situation here is serious and grave involving the life of men and the country. The independence of India is linked with the birth of Pakistan, the cause of serious communal frenzy. The independence was achieved through massacre and bloodbath, vivisecting the age old India. The time is infernally disturbed by communal distrust and violent riot between the communities; a war inside the country due to the birth pang of another country. But who could arrest the course of

“‘You put your hands on the person of a strange woman. Have you not mother or sister in your home? Have you no shame? No wonder the police have got you on their register as a bad character. I will also tell the Inspector Sahib that you are a budmash.’ “‘I am only budmash with you, Nooro. We should both be locked up in the same cell.’ “‘You have learnt to talk too much. I will have to look for another man.’ “Juggat Singh crossed his arms behind the girl’s back and crushed her till she could not talk or breathe.” (Pakistan /21-22) Goods train passed whistling and storks flew up from pond to the river. Then there was gunshot and dacoits passed them at a distance of a few yards. In spite of everything the budmash, well known in his locality as a marked criminal, had his way through the body of the girl in tears ignoring her wishes. The night was spent in fear and passion. The enemies were nearby. They finally left before dawn. The girl walked back home behind the armed escort, her lover. This was a bodily affair between the two lovers but the way it happened hinted at their long standing relationship; a relationship sensual yet beyond the physical and mental, moving towards the

Was it enough to get others to do the work for him? Magistrates were responsible for maintenance of law and order. But they maintained order with power behind them; not opposing them. Where was the power? What were the people in Delhi doing? Making speeches in the assembly! Loud-speakers magnifying their egos; lovely-looking foreign women in the visitors’ galleries in breathless admiration. ‘He is a great man, this Mr. Nehru of yours. I do think he is the greatest man in the world today. And how handsome! Wasn’t that a wonderful thing to say? “Long ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge . . . .”’ Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, you made your tryst. So did many others- on the 15th August, Independence Day.’” (Pakistan/201) The writer is ruthless in his criticism of the leader who jumped for grasping the power at all cost, even at the cost of bloodbath of the people. All powers were perhaps in one hand so the others of the country were powerlessly butchered. Few ambitious people reaped the benefit of independence and partition and greater patriots suffered with vulnerable people. The writer hints at the historic moment when the would-be Prime Minister was uttering high sounding hollow words witnessed by Lady