Jinnah by Yashwant Sinha [Hardcover]

Partition of 1947
The partition of India in 1947 remains undeniably the most traumatic wound of the 20th century, an experience that some, like Gandhi, compared to the unbearable agony of dismembering a living being. The psychological effects of this event have deeply scarred and immobilized four generations of people in the subcontinent. Why did this event happen? Who is to blame for it? Was it Jinnah, Congress, or the British? Yashwant Sinha attempts to answer this question. It is his own unique answer because this question may not have a singular answer. Still, the author embarks on a search for answers.

Jinnah’s political journey began as the 'ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity' (in Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s words), but it ended with him becoming the 'sole spokesman' for Indian Muslims, the creator of Pakistan, and Quaid-e-Azam. How and why did this transformation occur? No Indian or Pakistani politician or parliamentarian has attempted to write a neutral, analytical biography of Jinnah—most writings either elevate him to the status of a deity or depict him as a demon. In this book, an attempt is made to objectively evaluate Jinnah. Yashwant Sinha’s rich experience as India’s Foreign and Defense Minister (including the Lahore peace process, the betrayal of Kargil, negotiating the safe return of Indian passengers held hostage by terrorists in Kandahar, the Agra summit, terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Indian Parliament, diplomacy during war preparations in 2002, and successive peace efforts in the following year) adds depth to this analysis.

Sinha questions where and when the controversial theory of 'Muslims as a separate nation' originated, and how it impacted the Indian subcontinent. What did this theory give to Pakistan? Bangladesh. But why was it created? And where is Pakistan heading now? This book stands out because it is written by someone who is not just a practitioner of policy but also a policymaker who actively seeks answers. These burning questions from the last 62 years continue to captivate us.

Yashwant Sinha believes that for lasting peace in South Asia, we must first understand why peace was lost in the first place. As long as this fundamental, essential task remains incomplete, there is no possibility of peace returning to the region.

Yashwant Sinha
Yashwant Sinha is one of the most respected figures in Indian public life and international diplomacy. He is currently a Member of Parliament elected from Darjeeling. He enjoys playing chess, golf, and polo. He has a strong passion for promoting the ancient Indian language of Rajasthan, 'Dingal'.