A great loss

The Fall of Dhaka

16 December is a dark day in the history of Pakistan. The eastern wing of our beloved country was amputated and lost on this day. The chaos that ensued, the lives that were lost, the migrations that took place, the collapse of economy, the surrender of the Pakistan Army, all these factors have impacted the nation’s psyche. The issue of the Fall of Dhaka has been hushed for a variety of reasons. As a result, the grieving that follows loss of such magnitude somehow never became visible.

The emotional distancing from the wound of losing half of Pakistan is still part of our attitude as whenever the anniversary of the Fall of Dhaka comes around, it passes without generating any expression of deep sentiments over such a colossal loss, rather an apathetic response from all and sundry appears to be let bygones be bygones. The breaking of Pakistan has neither been openly discussed nor deeply researched; as a result no lesson learnt. Closing eyes to the mistakes of the past may relieve internal anxiety for a short term, but in the long run avoiding such issues shuts down thinking process which could help in developing experience and resilience in dealing with similar issues in future and averting mistakes of the past.

Issues between the two wings of the state of Pakistan started right from 1947. By 1970, sentiments for national unity had weakened due to constant political, economic and social prejudice and neglect. The conflict between the two wings erupted into mass civil disobedience. Grievances were exaggerated by the foreign elements to foster anti-West Pakistan feelings that eventually created Bengali nationalism and separatist tendencies. Bengali political leaders went around depicting the Central Government and West Pakistan as hostile exploiters. However, no concentrated efforts were made by the government to check these anti-national trends.

The location of the Capital in Karachi also created great economic imbalance, uneven distribution of national wealth and privileges, and better jobs for the people of West Pakistan. The vast sums of foreign exchange earned from the sale of jute from East Pakistan were being spent on defence and other expenditures in the West. The population in the East was increasing fast but it remained deprived of development, particularly the planning to build dams, control floods, eradicate poverty and supply food and shelter. The physical separation of a thousand miles between the two wings and being surrounded by Indian territory and influences led to embittering relations which resulted in the Fall of Dhaka.

Pakistan today is faced with similar issues. Economic disparity, ethnic and sectarian divide, institutional corruption, unstable economy, discrimination and prejudice amongst the rulers towards the plight of the nation, security challenges and energy crises are the problems similar to the ones faced by the people of Bengal. And our political leaders are not acting any different from the past. There are and have been separatist movements from time to time in Sindh, Balochistan and KP. The slogans used to instigate people contain messages such as ‘solve our problems or we will cede like East Pakistan’. What our shortsighted politicians do not understand is that wars do not provide solutions, they only inflict destruction recovery from which takes decades. Solutions are created when people come to table for talks with sincerity of intent. If what happened to East Pakistan was openly discussed and responsibility assumed for the mistakes made, those at the helm of affairs would have developed ideas about employing better means to resolve conflicts and rifts.

The issue of Fall of Dhaka comes across as a secret that weigh heavily on the nation’s conscience. The Western Pakistani government had been exclusive and discriminatory but the East had not been patriotic either. However, this is human nature that when a segment of population feels exploited, they perceive annihilation and flee from extinction and resort to distance themselves from the perceived threat as a safety behaviour. That is the time when power hungry leaders or others with vested interests exploit their sentiments. As a result the axe falls on those whose necks are on the line.

Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologise for the war crimes. If the claim is legitimate, Pakistan should apologise. However, Bangladesh should also apologise for committing heinous crimes against the people of West Pakistan, particularly against families from Punjab before the start of the war. Mostly the male members of the West Pakistani population in Bangladesh were abducted, tortured, mutilated and slaughtered. They had nothing to do with the political game play at that time. Neither were they involved in any form of oppression against the Bengalis nor had any involvement in political affairs. Being weak on the propaganda and counter-propaganda front, no narrative was built around these issues by the government. As a result the nation stands confused and divided.

Every year 16 December passes silently. The apathy towards the loss has resulted in learning no lessons from the past. The political leadership still instigates the nation on ethnic lines. There is talk of more provinces as a result of power struggle. However, the sense of depravation can only be addressed when the leaders are cleansed of the corruption they have become so addicted to.