I’m a little hesitant in posting this thread, but an obscure comment in another post and a recent experience prompted me to do so.
I am a muhajir - which to me means no more than: my grandparents moved from what is currently an Indian territory, to Pakistan post-partition. I never deny my ethnic background and because of where my roots are, I have an affection for India and it’s history as well as a deep-seeded connection to Pakistan. I have family in both India and Pakistan, though I myself don’t live in either country. I’ve had the good fortune to be able to travel to both countries and enjoyed my visits to each country.
I see a LOT of India-bashing on this Forum and it makes me think about divided loyalties - can one be loyal to India and Pakistan?
For those who have roots in India, do you still have pride in those roots or have you chosen your loyalty for Pakistan to the exclusion of all else?
And for those individuals who have no connection to India, do you question the loyalty of Pakistanis (resident/non-resident) who have partiality or affection for India?
I wonder if it’s easier for me since I’m not a citizen or resident of either country. I’ll be honest my mum who was born and lived in Pakistan would never call herself Indian.
i see.. so basically i think you Are Pakistani. there's very little bit of indian in your genes. there's LOTS of Pakistanis with relatives in india who proudly call themselves Pakistanis. their parents even visit india and they even themselves do but they still don't feel loyalty to india. why do you feel loyalty towards india? just coz some family is there? not enough reason. india is not a Muslim country and indian culture is probably not the culture you will feel comfortable with.
Loyality is to the land and the people. When we express anti-india emotions, that should remain political and for most of the part it is. There are some immature people (on both sides) who make fun of people and their looks and their culture and religion and way of life but that should not happen.
My mom was born in India but migrated at the age of 1. My dad migrated at the age of 13 or 14. I have emotional attachment to India too.
I also remind myself that India has double the amount of Muslims that we have. Some of the biggest religious institutes are in india (Deoband, saharanpur, bareli, delhi) .. some of the biggest religious scholars were born in India. We cannot just disown that country, or at least cannot detach ourselves from it.
That’s interesting. The connection I feel is not for the culture per se, but for the peeRhi. I saw the home and the lands that my great grandparents owned and seeing it and knowing that my forefathers lived and thrived here was a touching experience. As far as indian culture and values, the remaining family lives in a predominantly Muslim community where they are still traditional in their Muslim values.
It disappoints me that people think you have to pick either or but not both :hinna:
in college i knew a girl that was the child of a pakistani(mother) and Indian(father) and she seemed to have love for both countries. it’s not exactly how your situation is but i can imagine how hard it must have been for her especially looking at how relations between the two countries have been over all these years.
i would think it also gives a bit of peace of mind not feeling a bit of hate for either country.hope you arent being insulted or hurt by people of either country for having love for both countries. you get double the hugs:)
Hmmm well, i’ve lived outside Pakistan too and I love those memories too (some of them Non-Muslim countries)… and i feel affinity towards those places i spent time at… i mean ofcourse when you live someplace or your loved ones live someplace you have this feeling. but i still have all my loyalties to Pakistan. so how come you feel like you need to be loyal to India?
I mean, you can’t be loyal to both countries firstly because we’re ummm enemies How do you feel at cricket matches? which side do you root for?
Sehrysh, you have to make a decision, you have to pick one. And you Know, that when it comes to it, you will choose Pakistan. Which is why you’re on Gupshup and not some indian forum in the first place
So go on, admit it, your loyalties are All for Pakistan
Every person living abroad is Ambassador and represents his/her country’s image either in good manner or in bad. This is not only happen to Indian and Pakistani, also to those who live in foreing country. Some arabz pplz hate foreigners and some like them. We hav many families here married to Indian & Pakistani and living peacfully, visit family relative in both countries.
If you relate it with the tribe system. Many dont feel like preferring another tribe for any reason. Even if two different tribes get their son and daughter married they will be more loyal to their own tribe than to their relation (90% happens).Its same like with nations too.
If you talk about peeRhi then we all are the Children of Adam and eve but yet not only Pakistani but around the whole world people differentiate themselves on the base of their nationality.
for most human beings it’s much easier to hate a country than it is to hate a person from that country
my parents had two pakistani couples as friends and they were so nice, I can’t hate them:no: and all my pak american college friends:teary2: hey for a while being around them even i started being “pakistani” it was fun
alright i’m getting all sentimental… i’m outta here
How do you feel at cricket matches? which side do you root for?
i’m outta here
yea probably, hey for us that were raised abroad it can get a bit foggy if we’re living in a multicultural society right, or it might just be me