(First published in Himal Southasian on 19 June 2012.)
The predominant emotion with which jingoistic Indians and Pakistanis view each others’ misfortunes is schadenfreude. They count each other’s conflicts and rebellions to keep score. The Indian will talk about sectarian violence in Pakistan, and the Pakistani will ask about the treatment of Dalits in India. The Pakistani will complain against Indian atrocities in Kashmir and the Indian will point fingers at Balochistan.
When I see such Indo-Pakistani interactions online, I am reminded of these words:
Dushman mare te khushi na karey
Sajna vi mar jaana
(Rejoice not the death of the enemy
The beloved may also die) Continue reading “Of Nationalism and Love in Southasia”
Shivam Vij 