Moral Condemnation of Partition Violence in Manto's Toba Tek Singh

 Dadhi Ram Panthi

Tribhuvan University, Pashupati Multiple Campus,

 Chabahil, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

The research paper; written on the theme of Indian Partition of 1947 on Saadat Hasan Manto’s Toba Tek Singh; attempts to explore the quest for universal moral values. In doing so, the writer presents a character named Bishan Singh who is revolutionary in nature. His attempt to break the religious and cultural boundaries is praiseworthy as he is ready to die in the border i.e. no-man’s land raising the voice of true universal moral values. In fact, millions died during partition violence. The Muslims died chanting the slogans- “Pakistan Zindabad” and the Hindus and Sikhs died chanting the voice of their liberation and demanding separate state on the basis of their religious principles. In such critical condition, the character Bishan Singh neither supports India nor Pakistan; rather he climbs on the tree that lies in between India and Pakistan. His death on no-man’s land indicates that he is opposing partition and intends to live in harmony. The writer’s attempt to disqualify the ethical aspects by highlighting moral values is his condemnation of partition violence.

Keywords: Indian Partition, Revolutionary, Universal moral values, No- man’s land, Ethical, Moral