There are no Muslims living in India’s Pakistan.
When partition took place in 1947, the country was divided into two parts. Pakistan was formed after separating from India. A part of it bordering Bengal and called East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971. Apart from this, Pakistan was also formed within the country. This was India’s ‘Pakistan’. This matter also came to the fore during the partition of the country and became a symbol of partition. This Pakistan of India still exists in the country.
The surprising thing is that there is neither any mosque nor any Muslim in this Pakistan of India. This is Pakistan in Purnia district of Bihar. Not only is this Pakistan called by name, it is also recorded by this name in government documents. At one time, a large number of Muslims also lived in this Pakistan of India. But after partition they all migrated from here.
There are no Muslims in this Pakistan
This Pakistan of India is a village. In this village of Srinagar block, which is about 30 km from Purnia, all the villagers are Hindus and belong to the Santhal caste. After the partition of 1947, no Muslim lives in the village. The country’s independence celebrations continue for three days in the village. Living in poverty, the villagers here collect donations and hoist the national flag in the village. The reason why this village is named Pakistan is because of partition and migration.
The Muslims fled the village
In fact, before the passage of the States Reorganization Act of 1956, Purnia district was bordering East Pakistan (Bangladesh). When the country was partitioned in 1947, the Muslims living in the villages here chose to go to East Pakistan. Meanwhile, Muslims moving to East Pakistan voluntarily handed over their properties to the Hindus here. He named the village Pakistan in honor of the Muslims. After this it was also registered in the name of Pakistan in government documents.
Population of 1500, tribal society
At present there is not a single Muslim in any village in Pakistan. The village, with a population of about 1500, is inhabited only by the tribal community, who believe in Hindu gods and goddesses. Villagers here say that in 1971, when East Pakistan agitated for a separate Bangladesh, refugees from there came to Purnia and settled in many places. After which the surrounding villages started calling it Pakistan ‘Tola’. After Bangladesh became independent, people returned to their homeland. Even after the refugees left, people still refer to this village as Pakistan Tola. The name Pakistan Tola is registered in the voter card, Aadhaar card and all government documents of the villagers here.
No roads, no electricity and no water
There is neither road nor electricity to reach Pakistan Tola village. Most of the children in the village have not even seen school. The school is also about 2 km from the village. At the same time, when a villager falls ill, he has to go to the Srinagar health center 13 kilometers away for treatment. Even after 78 years of independence, the villagers are forced to live in mud houses. It is their fortune to eat fish from rivers and lakes. Navin Kumar Tudu of the village says he works in other people’s fields and gets only Rs 50 as daily labour.
Celebrate Independence by donating
Forced to live a life of poverty, the people of Pakistan Tola village are full of patriotism. Villagers organize a big event on 15th August by collecting donations. The 3-day long event ends on 15th August. From football matches to cultural events are organized here. Villagers donate Rs 200-300 and give prize to the winning team. Then on 15th August, after hoisting the flag, a luncheon has also been organized.
Changed the name but didn’t help
Naveen Kumar Tudu, a villager, says he feels ashamed to hear the name of his village Pakistan. Thinking people have named this village Virsa Nagar, but they cannot get the benefit of the government scheme, because Pakistan Tola is written on their ration card, voter card, aadhaar card. Chote Lal Soren, a ward member of Pakistan Tola, says that they have applied several times to the authorities from block to district to change the name of Pakistan Tola, but till date the name has not been changed. Neither a toilet has been constructed in the village nor has anyone benefited from a permanent house.
