FACTIONS IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18471, 7 August 1923, Page 6

FACTIONS IN INDIA.

Since the force of the anti-British movement in India appears to have expended itself, temporarily at all events, there have, from time to time, come accounts of disturbances in which different sections of the people have clashed, one with another. In the past few days there have been reports oil trouble between Hindus and Moslems. This is so old a story that the confident predictions of a couple of years ago forecasting a permanent truce between the two faiths for political purposes, did not carry complete conviction. India is a country of extraordinary complexity to the outside observer. There is so great a complication of races and faiths, that even detailed accounts of current events require some interpretation. A sympathetic commentator has recently essayed to explain the reaction of religion upon politics since the present measure of selfgovernment was granted. Before that time there was an appearance of practical unity in national outlook between Hindu and Moslem. Subsequently there has been a decided cleavage. India is not experienced in political life. Lines of difference were bound to develop as soon as electorates were formed. The first to show themselves wore exclusively religious in character. In the north of India this tendency is described as particularly pronounced. As the electoral system at present in force provides separate constituencies for Moslems; it is not anticipated that open contests in . the country will occur at election time ; but bitter partisanship in the legislatures is expected. The feeling which has produced ■ ■.-;. Hindu-Moslem riots can hardly be excluded from politics, especially in a country so inexperienced : politically as India. Earnest and concentrated effort to bridge the differences is regarded as a condition indispensable to the march of India toward complete ; self-govern-ment. Every question is stated to be affected •by the present state of feeling. Extension of the franchise, for instance, is a difficult matter if it means conferring votes upon the less educated partisans .of opposing faiths, to swell rival camps divided over religion. This picture, a gloomy one, is drawn by observers who wish India well, and know her well. It is not all pessimism, however. Hindu-Moslem accord in politics, the key or the situation, is described as an ideal which can be realised, but only by hard unselfish work. Its realisation, to stop factional struggles, is- essential to the real progress of the country in selfgovernment. >