What the India, Pakistan partition means to a Pakistani married to an Indian

Sabz
Sabz
Jul 27, 2017 · 2 min read

From a young age, I have always had the viewpoint of, ‘We’re all the same, what’s the big issue?’ But after growing up, reevaluating life, and arguing endlessly on my belief that Pakistani mangoes taste better than Indian ones, my viewpoint has been greatly altered.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the partition that so many South Asians have been well-versed in and known to only a handful of Britons. Which is commendable, given the obscure history curriculum that is taught to us in our UK classrooms.

Though, my history lessons started well before then. The teachings that came from my Nan who loved her Indian friends as much as her Pakistani ones, was invaluable. I reckon this is what fuelled me to never belittle the trials and turbulence that was bought by the separation of two nations into their own land. As how can you belittle anyone who your heart goes out to? Which is what we should really see it as, because whether you agree if the partition of British India should have taken place, or not, the fact is…it did.

Lives slain, loves lost. Names missing their calls and family trees cut. This was the price of having a place to call home, a place where ridicule was not commonplace. This was a dream for many.

Don’t get me wrong, I cannot sit here on my throne in England (born to migrant parents whose parents were born Indian, and had grown up Pakistani) knowing exactly what took place back in 1947. But I do not wish to stand here as a British-born Pakistani married to a British-born Indian, being ignorant to the surprise of the older generation of our marriage. Though I believe we have every right to be married, I would never want to diminish the countless deaths that were caused throughout the numerous wars between our ancestors.

We live in a time when forgiveness should be at the heart of every day, but understand the bloodshed seen by our ancestors should be respected for what it was. And though many South Asians would dream of the day where a flight from India to Pakistan would not have to be via a third country, it’s sad to say that ‘what was’, is still ‘is now’ and that day does not look like anytime soon.

Sabz

Sabz

Working in Email Marketing. Passion for writing & food. I tick the following boxes: [Married] [Muslim] [British] [Asian]

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade