State, Law, and Lawlessness: Failure of the Governance in Train to Pakistan

ABSTRACT
This research paper scrutinizes the negligence of the government and failure of law in Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan. The novel is set during the Partition of India in 1947, the novel accentuates the collapse of government authority and how frail administration, political decisions, and sectarianism led to extensive violence and widespread lawlessness. The study focuses on the collapse of government authority, the misuse of police power, the impotence of the state to protect innocent citizens, the decline of humanity, and the irresponsibility of society during Partition of India. Jugga’s sacrifice stands in contrast to failure of state law and his sacrifice is a symbol of moral law and human conscience. The paper also investigates how riots and violence supersede state control and how average citizens suffer due to political negligence. This research paper uses a thematic and textual analysis of the novel. Therefore Train to Pakistan is a strong criticism of failed law, negligence of government, irresponsible leadership and irresponsible act of society