'To survive, Pak should emulate India'

Celebrated journalist and author M J Akbar answers thus: "The idea of India is stronger than Indian, but the idea of Pakistan is weaker than Pakistani. While India has succeeded on four counts - democracy, secularism, gender equality, and economical equity - Pakistan has failed on each of them."

He says secularism is deeply rooted in the Indian psyche, but is different from its European version which advocates separation of religion from the state. "India is not secular because Gandhi was secular. Gandhi was secular because India is secular," he said.

Akbar was in Bangalore on Thursday for the release of his book "Tinderbox - The Past and future of Pakistan".

Conversing with noted playwright Girish Karnad, Akbar dwelt in detail on the history of Pakistan: how the movement for a separate homeland began and how Pakistan came to be known for religious fanaticism.

In his view, the movement began in the shadow of Mughal rule. "It was essentially an attempt for space by the Muslim elite which was denuded of power. The Ulemas, especially Shah Waliullah, stoked the two-culture theory as early as in the eighteenth century exhorting Muslims to stay away from Hindus," Akbar said.

The noted writer, however, disputed the success of the 'Divide and Rule' policy employed effectively by the British. "The policy succeeded because Hindus and Muslims were ready for it not because the British wanted it," Akbar argued.

So, what's the future of Pakistan? "It should adopt secularism, albeit exclusive, of its founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. India can be a symbol of modernity for Pakistan to emulate," Akbar said.

Akbar had an impromptu reply when he was asked about the Kashmir dispute. "The issue has been solved," he said eliciting a jaw-dropper from the audience. After a brief pause, he continued: "The status quo is the solution. India has matured to a level of accepting the status quo," he said.