A Pakistani’s Account of How ‘Indophobia’ Is a Part of Daily Life

A Pakistani shares how Indophobia is infused into the minds of the younger generation through textbooks.

I grew up in a country where anti-Indian and anti-Hindu sentiments have been on the rise since the Partition of British India in 1947 into a predominantly Muslim Pakistan (which later became the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”) and a secular though Hindu-majority India.

Every person who has lived and grew up in Pakistan must be familiar with the ubiquitous and prevalent Indophobia, particularly Hinduphobia, in Pakistan. Such sentiments are instilled in an individual ever since they’re children (too young even to properly comprehend the odium being infused in their minds and hearts).

I remember how my elders and even some school teachers at the primary school used to tell us, “Never befriend a Hindu”; accompanied by friendly advice, “Never befriend an Indian as they are deceptive and clever”.

Textbooks Weave a Specific Narrative

I also vividly remember how my textbooks in primary school and even in secondary schools, particularly in Urdu language, spewed venom against Indians and Hindus with specific chapters devoted to Pakistan’s “heroic victories in wars against India”.

Such books were replete with references like, “We Muslims were strong and brave so we defeated the weak, cunning and clever Hindu Indian army”. Central Asian invaders like Mahmud Ghaznavi who destroyed and desecrated one of the most sacred Hindu temples in India “Somnath” (in the Indian state of Gujarat) were often glorified.

In high school, textbooks on Pakistan Studies also suggested how Hindu India is always conspiring against Pakistan and was responsible for the separation of East Pakistan in 1971.

Grappling with Trauma in the Post-Partition Era

Stereotypes about Indians, particularly the Hindus, often referred to as “Kaffirs” (infidels) are very common. My elder uncles and aunts, even my parents (though ironically they have always been liberal in their thoughts and taught me that humanity is the biggest religion) often shared a biased narrative about the partition-era riots.

These narratives would talk about bloodshed at the hands of Hindus and Sikhs against Muslims; how men were brutally murdered and Muslim women were raped, their children killed by Hindu and Sikh gangs during the riots that followed the Partition in 1947.

Also Read: Remembering Partition: 70 Years Since the India-Pakistan Divide

Spread of Anti-India Propaganda

India-Pakistan cricket matches are marked by commentary such as – “Is Hindu team ko hamaray Shaheenoon nay harana hai (Our hawks [reference to Pakistani cricket team] will have to defeat this Hindu team [refering to the Indian cricket team]”.

The Islamic fundamentalist groups operating within Pakistan often emphasise how a ghazwa (battle) and jihad is important. Mass rallies in support of “Kashmiri Muslim brothers” led us to believe that the Hindu Indian army is killing our Muslim brothers and is being endorsed by a government that has the dimag (mind) of a Hindu Baniya (a clever Hindu merchant).

But I was never told about the terrorist attacks which have killed scores of Hindu and Sikh civilians living in Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ Review: Talking India, Pakistan & Peace

Change in Perception

It was through Bollywood that I was able to explore India and its so-called “Hindu culture”.

I realised how similar “our” (Indo-Pak) culture is and this realisation negated the narrative taught so far. Interactions on social media platforms like Facebook where I befriended people from around the world, including “enemy” India acted as an icebreaker.

Surely, this cannot be the only way of getting rid of a thought process that thrives on a ‘me versus them’ narrative, yet building cultural ties could be the first step towards healing both the countries, still reeling under the impact of an unavoidable tryst with history.

Also Read: Hindu Pride or Hidden Agenda? How Vedic Science Stokes Nationalism

(The author is a Pakistani writer, blogger and student. He can be reached @sarmadiqbal7 . This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)