India’s Muslim Majority and the Reunification of South Asia: A Quest for Peace or a Path of Oppression?

In the throes of religious and political debates, the notion that Pakistan and Bangladesh will reunite with India upon the attainment of a Muslim majority in India has been a recurring argument. However, such a scenario raises complex questions about the future of the region and the rights of non-Muslim populations. This article delves into the potential consequences of an India governed by Muslims and explores whether the reunification of South Asia would bring about peace or exacerbate existing tensions.

Reunification as a Consequence of India’s Muslim Majority

The idea of a reunited South Asia hinges on the premise that Islam will emerge as the dominant religion in India. Critics argue that such a scenario would not lead to peace but to oppression and the marginalization of non-Muslim communities. It is argued that the creation of an Islamic superpower, 'Islamistan', would result in the brutal oppression of non-Muslims, enforced conversions, and harmful policies aimed at eradicating the cultural and religious identity of minorities.

Peaceful Islamization of India

Proponents of this idea argue that India might peacefully evolve into a Muslim-majority nation, leading to a division where one part of the country becomes a secular state and the other becomes a sharia-based state. This division would enable non-Muslims to migrate to the secular part, preserving cultural and religious diversity in the new nation. While this notion presents an optimistic view, it overlooks the potential for continued tensions and violence associated with forced conversions and the displacement of non-Muslims.

The Role of Religion and Politics

The argument that religious and political matters are distinct is often challenged by the realities of history and geopolitics. The example of India and Nepal, two nations with a shared history and border, highlights the complex interplay between religion and political interests. Although India and Nepal share a cultural and historical bond, the geographical, economic, and political realities make a reunification unlikely. Similarly, the examples of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two Muslim-majority nations with shared values and borders, demonstrate that shared religion does not always lead to political unity.

A Call for Human Unity

At the core of this debate is the recognition that beyond religious and political divisions, humanity is fundamentally interconnected. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita emphasize that all living beings are part of the same God and that distinctions of nationality, religion, and ethnicity are artificial constructs that obscure our shared humanity.

Text 7, Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita:

“mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah anhnan indriya- prakrti-sthani karsati”

(The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses which include the mind.)

This verse underscores the eternal nature of the soul and the continuous struggle of conditioned beings to maintain their existence. It serves as a reminder that the essence of every living being is divine and that the pursuit of peace and unity is a fundamental truth.

The reunification of South Asia is not merely a matter of religious or political priorities but a matter of recognizing and respecting the intrinsic human unity. In a world fraught with religious and political divisions, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita offer a powerful message of peace, harmony, and the oneness of humanity.