Depiction of Senses and Emotions with Particular Reference to the Partition in 'Train to Pakistan' by Khushwant Singh

Abstract

 In Train to Pakistan,Khushwant Sing sketches the ailing state of the villagers of Mano Majra, an imaginary small village near Indo-Pak border by addressing a tragic tale of India-Pakistan partition. The significant episodes of the villagers’ lives take place in the lap of nature, and nature, with its sight, colour and sound, coexists with their peaceful lives as well as reacts to the disintegration getting manifested in the ambiance of nature. Nonetheless, here love and romance are intertwined with the upheaval of partition, and nature seems to merge with masculine virility and feminine submission. Lastly, in the form of flood, nature appears to protest the holocaust by responding to the anguish of the villagers as if it were an agent of God to punish the hideous incidents. The partition of India and Pakistan is a contentious event, characterized by a hastily made decision that did not adequately consider the concerns of the masses who would be directly affected. These individuals were not given much time to prepare for the uncertain trip they would have to undertake. Consequently, their journey towards independence commenced with the unfortunate experiences of being deserted, plundered, murdered, or violated by individuals of various religious affiliations. They fell victim to the religious tensions instigated and orchestrated by a small group of fanatical leaders, who deliberately created a division between Hindus and Muslims. Vandals exploited the situation by looting the general population and causing fatalities. Girls and women had become vulnerable targets for ridicule and humiliation, as they were subjected to public rape and cruel murder. The state of humanity appeared lifeless and devoid of sound. However, in the middle of this collective hysteria, there were still a few individuals who maintained their emotional composure and upheld their compassionate principles, refusing to participate in acts of mass violence, riots, or destruction. Among them was Jugga or Juggut Singh, who stood out as a genuine martyr by defying his own community with unwavering faith and a strong moral character. However, there were also non-Muslim Manomajrans who, whilst not wanting to harm their fellow villagers, were astonished and speechless due to the current happenings. This study aims to demonstrate the triumph of human emotions such as love, attachment, and compassion over the suffering caused by partition.