DEC 16 commemorates the tragic events of 1971 and the birth of Bangladesh.
DEC 16 commemorates the tragic events of 1971 and the birth of Bangladesh. Much has been written and said about the tragedy in the last 51 years. Instead of repeating the past and assigning blame, let us examine the historical context of the tragedy objectively, realistically, and truthfully in order to build a future relationship for the mutual benefit of both Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The use of the term “homelands” in the Lahore Resolution of March 23, 1940, was not an error. The concept of ‘homelands’ for Muslims was incorporated in light of East Bengal’s unique situation, which was located approximately 1,200 miles from West Pakistan, with a hostile India in between.
In accordance with the concept of Muslim “homelands,” Chaudhry Rehmat Ali proposed three Muslim states in the subcontinent following the British withdrawal: Pakistan as it is today, East Bengal as Bangistan/Bangzam/Bang-i-Islam, and Hyderabad Deccan as Osmanistan. Bangladesh’s rise should be seen in this context.
The concept of ‘homelands’ was further confirmed by a resolution at the annual session of the All-India Muslim League (AIML) held in Madras (now Chennai) in April 1941 which spoke of ‘territorial reforms as necessary’ and ‘independent states’.
Another historical fact is that East Bengal was not included in the initial demand for Pakistan. Only when the Bengali Muslim leadership realised that East Bengal, without an industrial base and under the shadow of a hostile India, might not be able to survive as an independent state, did the AIML pass a resolution demanding the formation of a “one Muslim state” on April 9, 1942.
India had planned and expected Bangladesh to fall into its lap like ripe fruit. Its dream was dashed when Bangladesh was able to stand on its own and became a strong and stable Muslim country.
Pakistan had only one infantry division, four gunboats, and a depleted fighter squadron of 11 F-86 fighter jets on the eastern wing. Bangladesh now has ten army divisions, a naval fleet of about 20 battleships/gunboats/patrol craft, and two submarines, and an air force with six fighter squadrons, one transport squadron, and one helicopter squadron.
In any future scenario, an unfriendly Bangladesh to India will be a potent threat that it has created through its own design. To optimise the scenario, we need a Bangladesh that is friendly to Pakistan. It may appear difficult in the current situation, with Sheikh Hasina Wajed at the helm of affairs in Bangladesh, but we can achieve our goal with time.
Even today, the honeymoon period with India has ended because India’s ugly and communal face is fully exposed to Bangladesh as a result of its refusal to grant citizenship to more than 10 million Assamese of Bengali origin. There is a growing realisation in Bangladesh that India is no longer a well-wisher.
Pakistan and Bangladesh should express their regret and condemnation for the bloodshed committed by both sides in 1971 over issues that could have been resolved by sitting across the table. Both countries should draw inspiration and pride from those who founded the AIML in Dhaka in 1906, as well as the common legacy of the Quaid-i-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin, A.K Fazlul Haq, Muhammad Ali Bogra, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, and others.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, as independent states, must band together to oppose Indian hegemony in the region. The two countries have enormous potential for cooperation in a variety of fields that will bring the two countries closer together and create opportunities for both peoples. There may even come a time when we discuss forming some sort of confederation between the two.