Country With Lost Identity!

If you seek peace in life, much of it depends on your neighbors. Unfortunately, India has not been so lucky in this regard. Given the geopolitical realities, it becomes even more crucial to study and understand our neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, which was partitioned from India in 1947 and has since remained a persistent challenge. Over the decades, India has employed various strategies to address these issues, but beyond external efforts, a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s internal dynamics is essential.  

In an effort to explore this subject, a discussion on the book 'Pakistan ka Matlab kya?' by Shridhar Loni, Resident Editor of Maharashtra Times, was organized on Saturday by the Department of Communication and Journalism, Savitribai Phule Pune University. The event was presided over by retired Brigadier R.R. Palsokar, with Dr. Sadanand More, Dr. Shrikant Paranjpe, and the author, Shridhar Loni, as keynote speakers. The discussion shed light on Pakistan’s identity crisis and its historical and geopolitical significance for India.  

During the session, Shridhar Loni pointed out how Pakistan has distanced itself from its rich Sindhu culture, instead glorifying foreign invaders like Mahmood Ghazni. He emphasized that Pakistan's national identity is built on two pillars, Islam and opposition to India, which it constantly uses to justify its existence.  

Expanding on this theme, Dr. Sadanand More provided a historical perspective, stating that 'identity and its conflicts' are central issues in Islamic nations. He also referenced the Khilafat Movement, highlighting that "Mahatma Gandhi was the only non-Muslim leader in the world to support it." Meanwhile, Dr. Shrikant Paranjpe remarked, "Pakistan continues to fear the idea of an undivided India, which influences its strategic mindset."  

In his presidential address, Brigadier R.R. Palsoka criticized Pakistan’s military stating, "Unlike in India, where the armed forces remain apolitical, Pakistan’s army considers itself more capable than its civilian government." He further added, "Pakistan fears India’s cultural strength more than its military power, as India's deep-rooted civilizational identity stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s fragmented self-perception."

The event was moderated by Dr. Sanjay Tambat, Head of the Department, and Assistant Professor Yogesh Borate. The discussion provided crucial insights into Pakistan’s internal and external policies, reinforcing the importance of understanding our neighbors, not just through diplomatic efforts, but through a deeper historical and cultural lens.