THIS August, Bangladesh is experiencing massive protests. Hasina Wajid labelled the protesters as Pakistani Razakars, an insult to the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan. She eventually resigned and fled to India. The lesson here is that tyranny does not last long and history tends to repeat itself. Had there been no Pakistan, there would not have been a Bangladesh. 14 August1947 is a shared heritage. This is the political reality. 14 August is not the day to be celebrated like Eid or other festival. It is a day of deliverance. It symbolises the rise of the Muslim power and the state in1947 in place of the Muslim Rule ended in 1857, after the defeat of the Bahadur Shah Zafar, his disgraceful arrest and deportation to Burma. It is not first time that an Empire had ended. History is full of such examples when mighty Empires crumbled due to their own rulers’ follies and intervention of outside powers. The demise of the Turkish (Mughal) Empire founded by Zaheeruddin Babar, fall had commenced with the rise of Shahjahan at the cost of Civil War among brothers.
The fighting among Muslim rulers, who became autonomous due to the weakness of Delhi and the later arrival of the British, also created space for the Marathas in Southern India. Following the 1857 uprising, the British East India Company took two major steps: first, they eliminated the Muslim ruling class by declaring English the official language, and second, they carried out the 1861 census, which categorized non-Hindus and Dalits as Hindus. This move overnight changed the status of Hindus in India, making them the majority. It was a shrewd political manoeuvre by the British to undermine the Muslims. The Hindu elite welcomed these steps, viewing the British as more liberal and educated rulers.
The Congress Party exploited this majority status and started claiming it being sole representatives of the all of the Indian population. Muslims were helpless due to their own mistakes. Merciless killing of the Muslim elite in the follow up of failed 1857 war which was dubbed as treason. Muslim Mullah forbade the learning of English and acceptance of any changes British introduced. The reading of English was declared a sin for Muslims. This situation caused great concern among educated Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmed established the first school in Aligarh, which was later converted into a university. The massacre of Muslim classes, especially the ruling elite, by the British dealt a severe blow to Muslims. Sir Syed pioneered efforts to counter the hegemony of Hindus.
In 1912, the Muslim League was founded in Dhaka and a political platform emerged. The writing of the Bande Matrem and Congress’s claim that only Hindu are the Indians and all others are outsiders, rung the danger bells for the Muslims.14 Points suggested by Mr. Jinnah and its rejection by the Congress opened new challenges for the Muslims. Muslim League made all out efforts to create a consensus for United India. It did not happen due to stubborn approach of the Congress. Jinnah returned from England on persistent requests from all leaders of Muslims. He set about to regenerate Muslim League to get their rights. The first and the second world wars weakened the British Empire and there were signs that one day they have to leave. They could perpetuate their rule with force which they did not possess at the end of Second World War. The power of Great Britain was shaken. British introduced constitutional reforms in India to prepare for democratic transfer of power starting from the local bodies and eventually terminating into 1936 elections.
Congress, being a better-organized party, secured the most seats, while the Muslim League attained a reasonable number of seats in Bengal. Unable to form a government alone in Bengal, the Muslim League opted for a coalition. In the centre, Congress formed ministries. With their newly gained power, Congress enacted laws that suppressed Muslims and made them a subservient community. This led to friction between Hindus and Muslims, resulting in massive clashes. Mr. Jinnah toured all of India to unite Muslims in opposition to Congress. Muslim leadership was either broken and compromised or bought, and many Muslim leaders unfortunately fell into this trap and joined the Congress Party. In the 1936 elections, Congress swept the central provinces, while Muslims won 80% of the reserved seats. Although a minority, the Muslim League emerged as a significant force in the 1946 assembly elections, with some key ministries allocated to Muslims in the Indian government.
Ugly clashes occurred between Hindus and Muslims in various cities of India. In a last-ditch effort Cabinet Mission was despatched to India. The Cabinet Mission proposed to divide India into three zones, A, B and C States were to frame own constitutions and have autonomy. The central government would have the portfolios of Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs. Congress initially accepted the Cabinet plan, later on when Jinnah accepted, Congress resiled. This finally killed dream of United India. For the British it was becoming extremely untenable to continue holding onto India the government lacked resources, money and the forces. India partition bill was finally tabled, it was passed, new viceroy Lord Mountbatten was appointed. India’s partition plan was announced mostly confirming on the basis of Lahore resolution. Resolution had called for sovereign states in the east and the west of India where the Muslims are in majority. Muslim League elders tabled an amendment to the resolution, deciding to pursue a federal government after Partition. Similarly, Congress pressured the British to divide the provinces based on population.
In Punjab, Congress from the very beginning attempted to undo Pakistan. The partition of Punjab triggered one of the largest population shifts in history. Congress calculated that Pakistan would crumble within six months. The issue of Kashmir was created by the Indians through the Maharaja of Kashmir to back out of the Standstill Agreement with Pakistan. War erupted between India and Pakistan. In the Frontier region, Congress forced the British government to hold a referendum to determine whether the province would join India or Pakistan. The current situation in India against Muslims vindicates Jinnah and the Muslim League’s stance on the two-nation theory.
I will not go into details what happened between 1947 and 71. Internal follies apart, it was the culmination of the effort of India’s sabotage in Pakistan and failure of leadership of Pakistan. The tragedy of East Pakistan was avoidable had there been even an IOTA of flexibility in leadership. Under Indra Gandhi India found an opportunity to create subversion in East Pakistan leading to Civil war. The small contingent of Pakistan army (22000) was attacked in Nov 1971, with a force 40 times greater. There were small number of field Artillery pieces, no Air Force and a very small Naval Contingent. The opposing strength and battle order was totally unbalanced. Even Field Marshal Manak Shah praising Pakistan Army said, in an interview, the extreme courage displayed by men and officers was unparallel .Pakistan lost war at Strategic level.
Over the last 75 years, the people of Pakistan have demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage to ensure stability and integrity. Pakistan emerged stronger after the 1971 debacle and bravely faced the consequences of the Soviet-American war in Afghanistan and later the American Taliban. Pakistan’s issues stem from the national psyche, with its people struggling to integrate and move beyond provincialism.
This defiant nature distinguishes Pakistan from other countries. Many nations, including India with its over 200 identities and 1,260 dialects, have managed such diversity through democratic processes. The tragedy of East Pakistan was a result of judgmental errors by both the political and military establishments. In the current geostrategic context, Pakistan is again facing internal and external pressures. Its unique strategic location makes it an important player on the international stage. Pakistan is a strong, vibrant country with vast resources and nuclear power, but it is also mismanaged.
In the light of the evolving situation and the state of affairs in Bangladesh, the truth has prevailed: despite conflicts, nations can remain connected. Reports indicate that Jinnah’s photo is being displayed in offices in Bangladesh as a symbol of the 1947 founding of the country. There are now renewed calls for Pakistan-Bangladesh friendship. Pakistan should extend support while avoiding any imposition. Immediate communication should be established to extend full support.
—The writer is a senior researcher and analyst. He regularly contributes to the national press.
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