ตอน 58: PoV of common people-2
(Lahore)
Fifteen year old Amritpal Singh returned to Lahore, a SuperCity and capital of Punjab, after three years.
On 14th June 1947, Muslim League called for 'Direct Action Day', to massacre every non-muslim in the regions they called Pakistan.
The muslim landlords, that have been in power because of the centuries of invasion, were the only people apart from a minute educated class allowed to vote. That's why Muslim League was able to get power.
Despite starting in Bengal, BJS has worked hard to destroy their foothold there over the years, leading them to not being able to focus much here.
And instead of arresting those monsters from Muslim League and the genociders, British went ahead with the partition, with Congress and Muslim League combined having more seats than BJS.
The days of genocide are still clear in his memories. His mother and baby sister were killed brutally, and his father also lost his life while taking him to Hindu majority region of Punjab.
He was thankful that BJS came into power as soon as India got Independence, and they were stubborn in purging those monsters.
As soon as Pakistan was recaptured, all muslim landowners were arrested and their properties were confiscated, because 98% voted for Muslim League. Anyone who tried to speak for Pakistan, even peaceful protesters, were dropped with sleeping gas in coca-cola bottles, and then arrested.
Purges have been going on until now, and the more congress spoke against removing these Pakistan supporters and seizing their properties, the less Sikh and Hindus supported them. Moreover, Congress was involved in the creation of Pakistan. And BJS was the one which retook India's land again.
Moreover, those in jail weren't even given their ID during the census, and there were cases of putting in more Ballot paper for BJS for those who didn't show up for voting.
Was it undemocratic? Yes.
But was it wrong? Most people believe that it wasn't. If Congress came into power, Pakistan will be created one or another day because they aren't brutal enough against those monsters.
A month ago, some parts of Punjab that were in red alert declared orange, with Lahore as green.
The displaced Sikhs were offered to reclaim their original land in Lahore if they had proof, but most didn't because they were either killed or escaped with just the clothes they had on themselves, including Amritpal.
But since now most of the agricultural land was under the government, they were being offered to the single Sikhs on a 99 year lease for free. After 99 years, they can even buy the land.
But there were several conditions for free land. They must grow crops that are decided by the government for 20 years, give 5% of the grain produce as tax, and apply certain farming techniques without any protest. Protesting within the 20 years will lead to cancellation of lease, and someone else will be given the land. And, the lease can also be revoken if there is a development project, and no compensation will be given.
There was more rules, but Amritpal was happy to just getting some land through which he can atleast feed himself.
He didn't go to a village too close to the city, as it will be in more danger of the land being taken away for development. So, he chose the village furthest away from Lahore in the green zone.
"Paaji, I also want land."
He went to the registration officer that was sitting in the entrance of the village.
"You know how to read?"
"Na Paaji."
"... What's your age?"
"15."
"Where did you live before?"
"Lahore only. In the city."
"Oh... Is your house still there?"
"No. The whole colony was burnt down."
"Alright. Since you are younger, you will get priority and be given an S class of plot."
"S class?"
"Yes. There are three categories of land. S for kids between the age of 15 to 18, A for 19 to 21, and B for 22 to 25. You fall into the first category."
"Eh? What about people above the age of 25?"
"We don't have that much land to give for free. And there are way more young people since the older ones died more in the genocide. Plus, young blood are more efficient.
Anyway, every six weeks, the Mayor will come here from 6 to 10 on Sundays in the morning to teach you all to read, write and basic Maths."
"Mayor himself!?"
"Yes. He is incharge of Lahore, not just the main city, but the area surrounding it. The more men do the job of inspection and all, the more there will be corruption.
Anyway, since you are younger, you will be able to learn faster. In five years, you are expected to be able to read, write and do some basic maths, and then, you will have to teach the whole village from then on. And of course, everyone who has learned to an acceptable level will also help you.
Don't discriminate anyone, don't do any crimes, live a comfortable life farming for 20 years, and if you want to shift to another job or retire, just tell the village chief and the land will be leased to someone else.
Anyway, one more thing. For 20 years, grow what you are told while continuously looking for what will be the best thing you can grow, and after the 20 years, you are free to grow whatever you want.
Tax is 5% of the grain crops. Meaning if you are growing perishable things like tomato and vegetables, you don't have to give anything.
If any hooligan tries to take more tax than 5%, or during famine, talk to the village chief and sue them.
Look, I know that you didn't understand many things, but you will learn with experience."
"Okay."
"Then come, I will take you to your farmland. By the way, I will be this village's chief for 10 years. If you have any problems, you can come to me."
"Okay."
Amritpal was shocked as he entered the village. There was a very wide kaccha roard leading to a hundred or something tents, with a big well.
"You are the first one who came here, actually. The Punjabi rehabilitation scheme was only announced yesterday, and everyone are probably going to nearby villages from the city."
"Wouldn't the nearby villages be absorbed into the city as it grows?"
"Probably yes. But such a remote village will also get everything last. There are plans for pipeline to be connected to the villages, but I don't know how long it will take. The Britishers may have gone, but most government officers were Indians to begin with. They are a bunch of corrupt people who don't do any job and only eat tax money."
"I heard that the government officers who don't do the job will be fired instead of transfer."
"Really? You are quite informed."
"I was living near Golden Temple. They started DD Radio and TV network on Diwali, and the gurudwara got speakers for the radio. I heard all this stuff from there."
"Oh. Nice. Atleast work is being done now."
"By the way, did no one live in this village?"
"The whole village was the property of a zamindaar. The zamindaar murdered all Sikh and Hindu farmers, and the Muslim farmers heloed him. They all are in jail, and the zamindaar was executed along with the farmers close to him."
"...Does this mean there are no muslims in Punjab?"
"There are. Not all Muslims are bad. Some even helped the Hindus and Sikhs escape. But most of those who helped were also killed.
Creation of Pakistan wasn't an ordinary riot, concentrated in a city. It caused genocide in every city, and every village. Those muslim Zamindaars who protected the Sikhs and Hindus farmers were spared. Though their lands will be redistributed later."
"Oh..."
"Don't think too much about it. It's not like the muslims are getting genocided. The Pakistanis are being purged."
"...Yes."
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