While these two strains of thinking might appear to be unconnected but the reality is, there is direct connection between both. The fact is pre-1947 there existed
pre-existing conditions that allowed the idea of "
Muslim haven" to take root. And that 'pre-existing conditions' were obtaining in the Indus valley region. Without those 'pre-existing conditions' it would have been interesting to see how ML would have planted their generic Pakistan in some other random region of the Raj. And even if ML had succeeded, for instance by planting their Pakistan in Bihar or Deccan would that Pakistan have been same as the Pakistan we have today? I think a Muslim citadel in Ganga Valley or Deccan would have been entirely differant Pakistan then the Pakistan we have on the Indus Valley because this one is informed by the peoples of that valley.
Going back to the point earlier the Indus region had a differant trajectory to other parts of the Raj and it's geography/history had laid the obtaining conditions for the ML project to take root - well outside from where the impulse was first born.
But. I can see why there is resistence from this very natural idea to mature and take root. The problem is double.
- The religious lobby refuses to accept such a notion as that enters secular notions into the idea of Pakistan and disturbs their rickety "Pakistan Kya Matlab" song. Furthermore it poses danger to them in making them redundant from the political space they have carved in Pakistan.
- The Mohajor community are threatened by this idea. Because it raises questions about why they migrated and reduces their role in the national narrative. Their entire existence and position within Pakistan is premised on and qualified on the idea of Muslim/Hindu being two nations, two distinct peoples. The IVC goes against this idea and endangers their ovesized role in Pakistan. Since this group is very vocal, very organised and in control of most of the media it makes sure that the Indus idea is shredded at every turn and prevented from taking root.
I don't have time to expand on these two streams that converge in their effort to prevent in the evolution of a secular, easy going, accepting of diversity idea of Pakistani nationalism develop. The schizphrenia and rabid hatred for Hindus is natural product of this.
@Joe Shearer