Partition. Britain's Guilt.

[bainbrig]

Just re-watching the BBC series on partition, shown first a few months back, and again struck by how much misery we (the British) caused by our insane partitioning of India.

I'm glad that we're no longer the world's leading bully, although hanging on the USA's coat-tails hardly does any credit.

Why are most Indian and Pakistani people so nice to us, given what we've done to them and their country?

BB

[MallyJ]

I agree totally...the trouble is that the bullying did not stop there...Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North America...the number of people affected by the mistaken belief that the UK is somehow superior to the rest of the world is inestimable.....

[Islay]

Its truly disturbing that some wish to be back in those days when Great Britain was truly great!

[bainbrig]

Britain was never “truly great”. It’s unthinking actions have contributed to the death of millions. “Great”?

[MallyJ]

Absolutely right Bainbig.......

[bainbrig]

Its unthinking... (brain lapse brought on by shame!)

[-Talbot-]

Bullying has happened throughout the ages. Britain has bullied and been bullied.

I feel no shame at all. As Bart sez... Wasn't me.

[tamborine]

Blame Gandhi, he pushed for independance. I & P people living in UK prefering our laws & culture.

[New Judge]

I made a number of longish trips to India twenty-five to thirty years ago. At that time, if you asked any older Indians whether they preferred their country under UK rule or now, overwhelmingly they replied that their lives were better before 1947. The country benefitted enormously from UK rule and today would probably be in a similar state to much of Africa but for it. But that’s by the by and times move on. However the UK has nothing to be guilty about.

Having said that, the Partition was handled very badly and it would have been better if it had not happened at all. But before you denigrate the UK’s role in that process, best to read up on the reasons why it was necessary.

[youngmafbog]

I'd suggest starting with looking at the two religions before entering into an anti British rants.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm no historian but I feel no guilt and I don't believe Britain should either. The Muslims and Hindus couldn't get along as groups; so something to keep violence at a minimum was inevitable. Bad as it was it could have been worse and longer. Or would folk have prefered a longer period of civil war and human rights violations ? I'm sure British forces could have stepped in and quelled some of the violence but only at a cost of having both sides turn on them. They opted to stay out of it and let the two groups sort it out.

[New Judge]

"I'd suggest starting with looking at the two religions before entering into an anti British rants."

I didn't want to mention that, youngmaf, it being time for Friday Prayers, and all that. I thought it would be more beneficial if bainbrig did his own research and did not rely solely on a BBC version (which was probably much abridged).

[sunny-dave]

There is some very selective 'remembering' of Britain's past going on at present - as a particularly egregioius example I offer you any number of recent articles and programmes about Churchill's 'crimes' balanced by exactly none about his monumental contribution to saving the world from Nazi Germany.

Our ancestors did a lot of bad things (Ireland suffered appallingly from being raped by the English Ruling Class for hundreds of years), but let's not forget the good stuff too - or is that so unfashionable as to be almost unsayable now?

[bainbrig]

You are really are an insulting sod, Judge ("I thought it would be more beneficial if bainbrig did his own research and did not rely solely on a BBC version (which was probably much abridged").

I've been 'researching' this subject for much of my adult life. As I said in my original posting, the BBC programme merely prompted me to make a public comment.

BB

[bainbrig]

As far as Britain's role in the world, likewise Churchill's contributions to this country's survival in the 2nd War, of course there are many aspects, many grey areas - all I'm advocating is that we should open our eyes WIDE to the many black areas in our history (including Churchill's opposition to Chamberlain's policy in the late 1930s of building up our air force).

BB

[New Judge]

"I've been 'researching' this subject for much of my adult life."

Well I certainly didn't get that impression from your somewhat jaundiced opinions in your question.

At the time of partition and independence the majority of Indians were grateful for Britain's contribution to their nation's development. Since Friday Prayers are now over I can say that partition was necessary because two main religious factions (surprise, surprise) could not live together. As I said, partition was not handled well, but it should not have been necessary at all.

You cannot judge what happened in the past by today's standards and values. Many nations - not only Britain - indulged in behaviour which would be totally unacceptable today. But there is no reason why today's citizens of those nations should feel guilt or remorse for the behaviour of their ancestors. The reason why many (particularly older) Indian and Pakistani people are nice to us is that Britain gave them nations which have developed tremendously since their independence (more so India than Pakistan) and we also gave those who wished to take it the opportunity to settle in the UK. There's nothing for us to feel guilty about.

[Spicerack]

Turn off the BBC and pick up a history book, bigbrain.
It'll save you looking a fool in future.

[bainbrig]

Not quite sure what I've done to earn your insults, spacerick. Nothing better to do today? Back to your toys, old chum.

B

[Zacs-Master]

There’s a much more interesting anagram of spicerack ;-)

[bainbrig]

Maybe so, but the last time I tried such a one my answer got removed.

Spicerack knows my opinion of his/her ignorance, and that’ll do me.

BB

[naomi24]

Britain's guilt? What bunkum!