Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, during a lecture at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) here on Sunday, spoke on the pain, tragedy and long-lasting consequences of the Partition, stressing the urgent need to stop the ideology that led to it.
“India never imagined it would face a division—let alone the partition of Bengal and Punjab—yet history took unexpected turns,” he said while speaking during a lecture organized by the Hemu Kalani Sindhi Study Centre of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) on the theme ‘Partition Horrors’ at IMS auditorium.
He reflected that many rulers celebrated as great were, in his view, morally bankrupt in their deeds.
“Though the British left, their Macaulay-inspired education system and missionary schooling persist even today; similarly, though the Mughals departed, their style of education continues and has even expanded,” he said.
He also pointed to demographic shifts, noting that the Hindu population in 15th-century India remained nearly the same as in ancient times, suggesting significant loss due to various factors.
The senior advocate criticised outdated laws and the political reluctance to enforce justice, stating that many offenders never faced punishment. He alleged that some people obtained fake voter IDs to claim citizenship and that city names had been altered based on religion.
He called for systemic reforms in administration, policing, judiciary and education to ensure national progress, while offering both a diagnosis of current problems and suggestions for solutions.
Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani was the chief guest, while DAVV vice chancellor Dr Rakesh Singhai presided over the programme.
Sindhi Study Centre head Prof Sanjay Tanwani highlighted activities of the centre. Board member of the National Sindhi Language Development Council, Manish Devanani, spoke on efforts to promote Sindhi language and expand community involvement in its preservation.
Senior social workers, local leaders, artists, retired officials and prominent citizens attended the event.
Registrar Prajwal Khare proposed the vote of thanks, while School of Law head Dr Manish Sitalani conducted the programme.
