THERE is a lurking danger of Indian aggression, with reports indicating that the Indian Eastern Command has been placed on alert. Bangladesh has undergone a second revolution this year, achieving emancipation from the Indian hold imposed on the country over the past 15 years. Bangladesh had virtually become an Indian colony, with everything—from the judiciary to the economy—under Indian control. The country was not allowed to conduct its foreign policy independently and had to adhere to the dictates and contours laid out by the Indian Foreign Office.
Questions were being raised, both within and outside Bangladesh, about the country’s trajectory. What happened in 1971 was largely an Indian manipulation against Pakistan. Mujibur Rehman had not contested the election with the goal of establishing a separate country; the primary issue at hand was provincial autonomy and the rights of East Pakistan. Since 1968, Indira Gandhi had directed Indian intelligence agencies to infiltrate East Pakistan, successfully penetrating its judiciary, education system, bureaucracy and even defence forces. The basis was the inequality and that West Pakistan was trampling the rights of the East Pakistan. Factually, it was totally wrong on facts and figures but in public perception the theme was sold. Public go with perception not the logic.
Effort is being made by India to undo the existing setup of Bangladesh. Pressure is being built up economically, politically, socially and militarily. Indian intelligence agencies are creating a law-and-order situation within Bangladesh and the borders along Bangladesh are being heated up through false flag operations. The 1971 refugee influx into India is being trumpeted worldwide. A vicious campaign is being run by the Indians, both in the media and on social media, accusing the present government of indulging in mass killings. It is the same scenario being repeated under Indian government patronage, as was done in 1971. Every social media platform is crying foul, demanding the Indian government take action to stop the alleged killings in Bangladesh, particularly of Hindus. Every effort is being made to thwart Bangladesh from becoming a truly independent state. Electricity supply to Bangladesh has been cut off, citing unpaid dues of around USD 2 billion to Indian companies. In various segments of the Bangladeshi economy, Indian pressure is being exerted to force Bangladeshis to bend down again.
Diplomatically, every effort is being made to portray Mr. Yunis as incompetent to run the government. Bangladesh is being positioned as a hotbed of terrorism against India, with claims that Pakistan is trying to pump arms and ammunition through trade. It mirrors the scenario built in 1971, such as the hoax hijacking drama created to stop Pakistan Airlines from overflying India. Hawkish critics are making a case that the chicken neck area in eastern India, along Bangladesh, poses a strategic threat and that Bangladesh may resort to aggression. They argue India should capture this territory and expand to ensure connectivity with its eastern states. The turbulence and independence movements running deep in the seven sister states are being blamed on Pakistan. The boogie of Islamism is being raised to garner Western support against Bangladesh. Any endeavour by Pakistan to reconnect with Bangladesh is criticized, proving India has not reconciled with the setback it suffered after this second revolution.
The foundation of the second revolution lies in the events of 1971, where a situation was engineered to turn brothers against each other. Mujibur Rehman had no mandate for a separate country. He did not agree to any suggestion to form the government with Peoples Party on the plea Awami League has the majority. Principally he was right but politically he failed to see into future ramifications. whereas during the March 1971 parlays government was willing to concede to almost five and a half points out of the 6 points, even Mr Brohi was summoned to Dhaka to draft Presidential Ordinance to hand over power. But the hawkish elements in the Awami League had a different agenda, they reportedly were in touch with Indians and stalemate resulted in a civil disobedience. The province plunged into a civil war detrimental to each side, East and West Pakistan.
The Pakistan Movement originated in Dhaka in 1906 with the formation of the Muslim League, providing a political platform to secure Muslim rights in India. East Bengal leadership championed the cause of Pakistan, driven by opposition to Hindu-dominated bureaucracy, political pressure and economic exploitation. The British government reversed the 1905 partition of Bengal in 1912, appeasing Hindu sentiment. At a Calcutta congregation presided over by the Viceroy, the song “Bande Mataram” was recited in gratitude, later becoming India’s national song alongside “Jana Gana Mana.” Initially unpopular, its English translation by Tagore gained traction. By 1935, Congress-led governments in Bihar, Bengal and Central India used the song to stoke divisions, igniting widespread Hindu-Muslim riots.
The sentiments in March 1971 reached to a degree people of East Pakistan truly believed Awami League is really a liberator, but when the things moved on towards Indian supremacy in every field, the bulk of population started realizing they are not only becoming the colony of India rather they are all being converted to a colony within the Indians subcontinent. The tight control by India was the main reason of disenchantment. India is now making all efforts to squeeze Bangladesh, the electric supply is disconnected, trade orders of cotton cancelled, Telecom agreement annulled, situation on the borders is being heated up. It is reported a splinter group of Arakan tribe, around 40000, in Chittagong Hills are being paid and equipped to create trouble in Chittagong Division to split the country.
Pakistan needs to extend support socially, economically diplomatically as well as militarily. At the first step, open up a visa on arrival for business, academia and people to people contacts of the relatives. It is suggested a Joint Commission be formed by both countries to discuss bilateral issues.
—The author is a Brigadier Retired, a decorated officer with 32 years of active combat experience, 30 years in corporate sector as MD/COO. A column writer, Researcher and TV analyst.
