An eloquent testimony
Reviewed by Kanwalpreet

Violence, Martyrdom and Partition: A Daughter’s Testimony
By Nonica Datta.
Oxford University Press.
Pages 235. Rs 695.

NONICA DATTA has crafted an interesting story from the narration of Subhashini, one of the forerunners of girls’ education in rural Haryana. Subhashini is the daughter of Bhagat Phool Singh who gave up his job as a Patwari to become an Arya Samaj preacher.

Bhagat Phool Singh, Bhagatji as he was fondly addressed, spread education through the Gurukul system. Subhashini’s story gets juxtaposed with that of her father’s. Nonica delves into both the lives while consistently focusing on that of Subhashini as the protagonist. The writer strikes a fine balance between the two but it is Subhashini who mentions the life of her father which was, according to her, laced with personal sacrifices.

Bhagatji, as we come to know from the narrative, was a man apart. Revered by his daughters and the entire Jat community, he chose the Gurukul system as a way of disseminating education among the young. Rather he advocated a novel way of life through the Gurukul system in the 1930s and 40s. An ardent believer in a life of simplicity and respect, Bhagatji inculcated the same in both his daughters who continued to fulfill his dream even after his gruesome murder.

A dedicated follower of the Arya Samaj, Bhagatji rejoiced on the birth of his daughters, Subhashini and her sister. He wanted his daughters to get education in the true sense so he chalked out their life and mission. Subhashini was sent to gurukuls in Delhi, Dehradun and even to Sabarmati Asharam where she associated with Mahatama Gandhi. Perhaps Nonica selected her subject, Subhashini, because the latter does not fear to call a spade a spade.

So, Subhashini candidly divulges that she didn’t like Mahatama Gandhi because he spoke in a derogatory manner about the Jat community. At the outset, Nonica makes it clear that Subhashini is the narrator and Nonica is there only to pen the words. The author had earlier worked on the life of Bhagatji, so subsequently writing about his daughter, who dedicated her life to work for higher ideals, was the right choice. Nonica answers on the choice of her subject, "As her (Subhashini’s) story began to unfold, I felt that she was extraordinary, a one-off, but then I also felt that perhaps she was not. Though I had never met anyone like her, I knew that there were many people in my country, the really invisible, the really anonymous, the toiling poor leading extraordinary lives, each with their own stories `85 ."

While reading the book, one should not judge Subhashini or her father. This becomes rather difficult. Bhagatji was allegedly murdered by some people of the Muslim community on August 14, 1942. Subhashini believes that the massacre of Muslims after Partition in that part of Haryana was a revenge for her father’s murder. She is nonchalant about it, which is hard to understand. Maybe such views are formed when one has lost a dear one in communal frenzy.

Subhashini’s narration revolves around the sacrifices of her father who gave up a life of comfort for penance and social work. The Arya Samaj is indebted to people like Bhagatji and his daughters who worked hard to protect their identity. The narration at times drags a little.

Sometimes, it is difficult to comprehend the protagonist’s views because we are living in an altogether different society with varied values from that of the 1930s. For example, Subhashini had to do things at her father’s behest though she would have done otherwise. Her education, her married life and even her choice of job were dictated by her father. Yet, she did as her father wished, this is exemplary. Bhagatji comes across as a man passionate about his work to the extent that he overruled his heart and the wishes of his immediate family members.

Through this book, one gets a peep into life in the rural areas of Haryana. The picture that unfolds is of the gurukuls that were self-sufficient with their own values and principles. The author has succeeded in bringing forth the story of a woman who lived for her community. We need common stories like these to tell the uncommon. A good work that describes the influence of caste and religion on politics and on our day-to-day lives. Partition has scarred many lives and this is one of them.

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