cause of Hindu opposition to POB Flashcards
divide and rule policy
it was opposed by the hindus who saw it in a entriely different light they saw it as the british divide and rule policy to weaken hindu unity and their influence on east bengal. as east bengal became a muslim majority they saw it as a deliberate attempt to divide bengali nation and break their colllective power therefore opposed the partition of bengal.
would cause economic losses
Hindus also opposed the partition because they felt this partition would cause them economic losses. Bengali Hindus were better educated and held an economically dominant position. Calcutta in west Bengal was a hub of activities e.g educational,economic and administrative and were the dominant force in the east too e.g landlords therefore when Bengal was partitioned they were now a minority in the east and felt under a Muslim majority government would now suffer. hence they opposed the partition of Bengal.
Hindu population divided
the congress opposed the partition because the Hindu population was now divided into two provinces due to which they became a minority in east Bengal where Muslims were now majority. Bengal was a province from which the congress had a lot of support which was now reduced hence to regain this support and win future elections the congress opposed the partition of Bengal.
changed Muslims position overnight
the position of Muslims changed overnight due to which Hindus opposed the partition as the Muslims were now in the majority in east Bengal. this gave the Muslims the opportunity to prosper economically and politically. the congress was not ready to give Muslims the opportunity to regain their previous position over India therefore the congress heavily opposed the partition.
effect and damage their political interests
the Hindus feared that the partition would effect and damage their political interests such as establishment of Dhaka high court would Hindu legal practices and Muslim press would effect circulation of Hindu newspapers etc therefore every Hindu community reacted strongly to protect their political and dominant interests. hence the partition was opposed
Muslims could launch a struggle for their civil and political rights
they felt threatened by the partition because the Muslims could now launch a struggle for their political and civil rights e.g their own political party. this would increase the opportunities for Muslims who would start competing with Hindus and also mean an end to Hindu domination thus as Hindus were not ready to see Muslims in the same position as them opposed the partition.
