An experience of the Indo-Pak partition, 1947

Welcome, today we’re interviewing Sant Singh Jethwani, my grandfather, to hear about his story with the 1947 partition of India, one of the lesser-known events of sectarian violence, genocide, and displacement. In August 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two new nations upon the bases of religion. Though neither of the religions believed they could co-exist, according to Global Security, it was opposed as much as it was supported. So when the partition was announced and people of either faith were left on the wrong side of the border, the subcontinent descended into violence and bloodshed. This created a mass migration, and by the time it had ended, more than 15 million people had been displaced and between one to two million were dead, according to the New Yorker. They had never made it to the other side.

But for those who did, it was hardly the end of their journey. Many like Sant Singh’s family were uprooted, had to leave behind their lives and start entirely new ones. But despite the trauma, the event hasn’t been talked about much. Even now, people like my grandfather would tell it inside their families, but it wouldn’t be discussed outside. But more and more stories are coming out now, and it is valuable to share Mr. Jethwani’s story. The horrors he faced, the experience of going from riches to abject poverty, and the hard work it took to rebuild his life to where he is today makes him the perfect person to interview. His story is the essence of the experience of the partition.