Anwar is 25 years old. He comes from Bangladesh. He arrived in Poland seventy days ago. When I ask him: Which side do you support in the Indian- Pakistani conflict?, he doesn`t seem to understand my question. “In my heart, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are one country forever”- he said. Unfortunately, the present situation shows that his dream might never come true. The part of the Jammu and Kashmir state is closed for tourists. Trenches, a plenty of barbed wire, pictures like from the Second World War and the most murderous weapon- the atom bomb, which neither of the sides bault to use it. If it hadn`t been a war, in Kashmir would have been a “tourist boom”. But this chance won`t come soon.

The Indian Peninsula`s land was cultural and social similar to each other before the British ruled this area. Everything changed overnight when “people with fair complexions” governed this land. Allah followers were thinking of throwing the British out of India, keeping the status quo and certainly they were waiting for the Muslim dynasty of Mongols `return. Even though Hindus didn`t support the British, knew that if the Muslim dynasty returned to India, Hindus would have small influence to politics. They were agreeable to new authority and that is why they took a stand in national authorities. From that time a “common path” of Muslims and Hindus drifted apart.

The most important partition to create two religious regions was in 1947, when Pakistan started to exist. It had started a big migration, when millions of people were killed in view of religious persecutions. Dividing the enormous cake into two pieces wasn`t succeed. Now, we have an irregular border and a big Muslim minority in India (there`s about 25 million of Muslims, after Indonesia, the biggest Muslim country in the world). This minority in India leads to many serious problems.

Firstly, Hindus accuse Muslims of attempts to return the domination of Islam in the Republic of India. In a history of India were similar situations. For instance, in A.D. 712, when Muslim Sultanate in the Sind province (now Pakistan), Islam was a tempting alternative for the Hindu middle-class, especially parias- the part of Indian society which is neglected by Indian upper-class (we`re informed about it by the Human Right Watch). It was related not only with changing the social statues but also with new methods of agriculture and techniques (for example, the Persian circle, which enabled to move water, during monsoons, from “the bottom of the country to the top”. That is why; they could have covered with water bigger part of land).

In that time most of conversions to Islam were optional. Also today, from time to time, Hindus from the middle-class tries to convert to Islam. But the opposite situation when Muslim converts to Hinduism is impossible because being Hindu is related with birth. Secondly, Hindus think that among Muslims there is no patriotic feeling to India. Krzysztof Debnicki in his book called “A Conflict and Violence in the Politic System of the Independent India” explains: “members of radical Hindu groups say that Muslims are more loyal to Islam world, especially Pakistan, rather than to territorial, Indian patriotism”. A territorial membership (nationality) is something strange for Muslim, who lives in the Republic in India. The Hindu Lowland or the Doab region (the area between two rivers: Ganges and Yamuna), is the Hindu highest heritage. As well for Muslims, the same is Saudi Arabia with the most important place, called Mecca. Two points of view to motherland may lead to situation when Indian Muslims can find their identity among Pakistani Muslims and support them rather to take a responsibility for India and take care of it.

Hinduism is not a homogeneous religion, which also leads to many internal problems and conflicts. Divisions in Indian caste deeply stick in Hindu heritage and followers `minds. Birth in this caste indicates all the human life- from upbringing, choice of spouse to particular profession for member of caste. Although the Indian Constitution brings the rule of equality in, it doesn`t change social relations in Hindu society. Moreover, there are many Hindu sects and folk beliefs which are differ to each other. Radical Hindu groups in India think that Hinduism must be internal united to protect the country from Muslims. They promote Hindu nationalism, an idea of religious superiority and they try to unite the divided communion. For instance, they want to cut off “the real Hinduism” from beliefs of countryside. This is the base for feeling religious unity by Hindus, which will be –according to members of these organizations- contrast between their communion and Muslims.

Activity such groups even now bring effects. The case of damaging the Babri Temple in Ayodhya shows the one common aim of Muslims and Hindus- protection sacred places against followers of other religions. Ayodhya is believed to be one of blessed Hindu places and Rama`s birthplace. Hindu-Muslims conflict started in 1528 when Mongol, Babur built the Babri Mosque in place where used to be the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The Babri Mosque was damaged by Hindu extremists in 1992. It was a cause for religious riots, during which more than three thousand people were killed. The Orthodox World Hindu Counsel- Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) decided that in Ayodhya- in the same place where was the Babri Mosque- will be built a Hindu temple (although Indian government has banned from constructing a new sacred building). In spite of this, many Hindu and Muslim extremists are coming to this city and trying to go through with own plans by using force and fear.

Hindu-Muslim conflict exists also between Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan and India fulfill different from each other`s conceptions of nations. Pakistan is a Muslim, religious country where the Islamic law Sharia still exists. India, on the contrary, according to the constitution, remains a secular state. An attempt of creating a secular India society is, in the same way, an attempt of adjusting to the Western democracy, where religion isn`t related with a ruler. This is unknown conception in India where a lord or king always, after a coronation, underwent sacred process. Separation religious world from social life and politics is, in my opinion, impossible in India- especially among a low-educated people in countryside. Allah`s followers are often thought to be, even by a high-educated Hindus, madmen and potential terrorists. Discrimination is seen in schools, offices and places of work. The latest “India Human Development Report” informs that Islam followers are discriminated at schools and workplaces. Moreover, they live in poorer living-conditions than their Hindu neighbors (43% of Hindus and only 30% of Muslims have electricity in their houses). Not even 5 % of Muslims are in lower house of Indian Parliament. According to Abdul Haq from the Indian Muslim Council, Islam is discriminated in Indian manuals and in the media. Books include stories about Brahma and Vishnu but Muslim heroes are treated like freaks and aliens. 

Are we dealing with the Hindu and the Muslim civilization’s collision? If that so, the collision obviously has existed for many years. At presently, it has an international aspect (like Kashmir) and domestic one (like Ayodhya). India`s neighbors are Muslims countries: Pakistan and Bangladesh. That is why; it must lead a peaceful, non-violent foreign politics. But I don`t see the optimistic future now. Moreover, India, which is thought to be democratic country, breaks the basic human rights, which are the base of the Western countries. India is trying to open the new chapter of its history- a chapter of close relations with the European Union and China, rather to keep close economic contacts with Muslim countries around India.

This conflict is based on two religious collisions. Tolerance and respect for other religions are well-known in both Hinduism and Islam. Islam always has the statue of warlike religion in India, which was imposed by local rulers. On the other hand, many radical Hindu organizations fuel religious hatred by creating “utopia”, which lead to Hindu nationalism. “We- You” division always was and still remains on the Indian Peninsula and it will take much time to change it.