ABSTRACT
In the years that followed freedom from colonial rule (1947) it was natural for the Indian state to seek the establishment of a ‘national unity’ that could draw its strength from its federal structure and also have in position a strong and effective centre of power. Many of the problems that followed were also rooted to the fact that India had been hurriedly divided by the departing British on the basis of the country’s religious demography. In India however the idea that two religions could or should be seen and accepted as the basis for dividing the country had always been questioned by a vast majority of people irrespective of what faith they belonged. All communities rallied and fought against the invaders alongside the Indian forces. The state had never seen such a picture of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and other minorities standing together and fighting to save their state from Pakistan.
