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

Abstract

The research paper; written on the theme of the 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. His attempt to break the religious and cultural boundaries is praiseworthy as he is ready to die on 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 a separate state based on their religious principles. In such a 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.