Festivals And National Unity

This situation had created perfect harmony and unity between Hindus and Muslims in those times. There was no sense of otherness between them. While seeing themselves as Muslims and Hindus, both considered themselves as living members of the wider Indian nation. Both equally loved this great land whose name is now written in history as the Indian Subcontinent. This was the same time about which Sir Syed said in one of his speeches (27 January 1883): “Being a Hindu or a Muslim is a personal inner belief, which has nothing to do with external matters and mutual dealings. India is the homeland of both of us. It is India’s air that keeps us both alive. We both drink the sacred waters of the Ganga and Yamuna. We both eat the produce of India’s soil. In life and in death, we are together. In fact, in India, both of us, by virtue of being residents, are one nation. Through our mutual agreement, sympathy, and love, the development and prosperity of this country and of ourselves is possible. And with mutual conflict, hatred, and ill-will, both of us are doomed.” That was the same India whose anthem was sung in the poetry of Iqbal. This verse beautifully reflects that shared