Page 132 - Train to Pakistan

The villagers felt very uncomfortable. The harangue had made them angry and
they wanted to prove their manliness. At the same time Meet Singh’s presence
made them uneasy and they felt they were being disloyal to him.

‘What are we supposed to do?’ asked the lambardar plaintively.
‘I will tell you what we are to do,’ answered the boy, pointing to himself. ‘If
you have the courage to do it.’ He continued after a pause. ‘Tomorrow a

trainload of Muslims is to cross the bridge to Pakistan. If you are men, this train
should carry as many people dead to the other side as you have received.’
A cold clammy feeling spread among the audience. People coughed

nervously.
‘The train will have Mano Majra Muslims on it,’ said Meet Singh without
looking up.

‘Bhai, you seem to know everything, don’t you?’ yelled the youth furiously.
‘Did you give them the tickets or is your son a Railway Babu? I don’t know who
the Muslims on the train are; I do not care. It is enough for me to know that they

are Muslims. They will not cross this river alive. If you people agree with me,
we can talk; if you are frightened, then say so and we will say Sat Sri Akal to
you and look for real men elsewhere.’

Another long period of silence ensued. The lad beat a tattoo on his holster and
patiently scanned the faces around him.

‘There is a military guard at the bridge.’ It was Malli. He had been standing
outside in the dark. He would not have dared to come back to Mano Majra alone.
Yet there he was, boldly stepping into the gurdwara. Several members of his
gang appeared at the door.

‘You need not bother about the military or the police. No one will interfere.
We will see to that,’ answered the lad looking back at him. ‘Are there any

volunteers?’
‘My life is at your disposal,’ said Malli heroically. The story of Jugga beating
him had gone round the village. His reputation had to be redeemed.
‘Bravo,’ said the speaker. ‘At least one man. The Guru asked for five lives

when he made the Sikhs. Those Sikhs were supermen. We need many more than
five. Who else is willing to lay down his life?’

Four of Malli’s companions stepped over the threshold. They were followed
by many others, mostly refugees. Some villagers who had only recently wept at