No wonder the news has taken by storm the entire Indian political spectrum. Lavishing praise on Jinnah, Advani stated: "Many persons find a place in history, but there are actually very few who make history. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was one such rare personality."

What has galled the politicians of BJP is that Advani is supposed to be the proponent of Hindutva, the fundamentalist brand of Hinduism. Taking a leap farther he went on "the saddest day of my life was the demolition of the Babri mosque." It may be recalled that Hindu fanatics egged on by the BJP, and Advani leading them, demolished the mosque built by the founder of the Mughal Empire Babar.

It is remarkable that L.K. Advani has made his public mea culpa in Pakistan, while there is a new wind of friendship blowing between the two nations. Advani's remarks will be sweet music to Pakistani ears. It will enormously strengthen the hands of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who has taken big risk in pushing the peace process forward and included the third party, the Kashmiris.

According to reports, Advani's followers have been very upset by his description of Jinnah as "secular" for he is supposed to be the architect of the partition of India in 1947. Jinnah's life is an open book and there is no trace of religious fanaticism.

He studied law and became a very successful barrister. Throughout his life he was a dandy, immaculately dressed and often in sharkskin suits, and in London fancied him as an actor. He used to sport a monocle. He enjoyed a glass of whiskey. He switched to Shalwar Kameez and a Karakuli cap branded Jinnah cap shortly before the partition of India. During his political career in the thirties he had been called "the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity." When that effort failed, he went to London and resumed law practice. It is when in 1940, the famous Lahore resolution was adopted that Muslims of India entreated Jinnah to return to India and take over the leadership of the Muslims. The incorruptible Jinnah responded positively.

The civilised Mr. Jinnah could not imagine the bloodbath that would be let loose between Hindus and Muslims. Entire trainloads of refugees would arrive across the border, but as corpses. This is one of the goriest chapters of Indian history following granting of independence by Britain. Shortly after assuming the reins of power Mr. Jinnah delivered a remarkable speech, which was the boldest secular statement.

Secularism is the main pillar of the Indian constitution. The multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-linguistic society of India can exist only as a secular state. This was clearly understood by the founding fathers like Gandhi and Nehru. The Indian National Congress, which led the struggle for independence, stood foursquare behind secularism. With the passage of time this idea was faced with wear and tear. As the hand of the federal government started weakening and state government continued to exercise more and more power, the hold of secularism and that of the Congress party started slackening. Religious fundamentalism reared its ugly head. The huge Muslim population of India felt the squeeze.

Those opposing L.K. Advani are standing on shaky ground. India is a secular republic and is destined to continue her forward march. Secularism and Hindutva cannot co-exist. Hindutva is all that is obscurantist and backward looking, from which resurgent India is striving to break free. India has achieved remarkable progress in the last few decades, and in the twenty first century, which is supposed to be the Asian century, has a place of pride.

L.K. Advani has done a remarkable service, something not really expected from him, by bringing out in the open the entire gamut of sub-continental politics. It is the greatest push forward to resolving once for all the bitterness and distrust that have plagued relations between the two giants of the sub-continent.

Arshad-uz-Zaman is a former Ambassador.