Estranged bedfellows

“Unsay jo kehnay gaye thay Faiz jan sadqa kiay,
unkahi he reh gayee who baat sub baton kay baad ”
— Faiz Ahmed Faiz

What we went to say to them with all sincerity Faiz, that alone remained unsaid despite the long parleys (Translation)

December 16 is marked by some interesting events, like the declaration of independence by Kazakhstan in 1991, airing of the last episode of the popular Larry King Live show, last eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan in 1707 and the infamous Boston Tea Party in 1773. For Pakistan, however, it carries the most tragic event wherein the country’s two strong arms were torn apart causing an insurmountable hostile of relationship between two brothers (if East and West Pakistan ever were brothers). Remnants of the bloodbath during the 1947 partition were still fresh in memories when a new round of carnage destroyed whatever little was left of any bond between the East and West Pakistanis. The idea about a single-faith brotherhood crashed on the precipice of selfish political ambitions, power struggle, economic subjugation, irrationality, misunderstandings and the colonial mentality left behind by the departing British forces in 1947, and eagerly embraced by rulers of the western arm.

Talking about Bangladesh’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that, “Maintenance of good relations with neighbours, friendship with all and malice for none is the policy I have pursued throughout my life”. This guiding principle was reflected in recent meetings between the Pakistani and Bangladeshi official counterparts.

A cursory glance at the history of Bengal shows that since 4th century BC it has been an important region, with its balmy climate, fertile land, natural resources, and rich cultural and literary heritage. From the Hindu and Buddhist dynasties of Bhulua, Nandas and Mauryas right down to Devas, Pratabgarh and Taraf Kingdom; introduction of Islam with the Khilji dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal empire; the colonial occupation after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 to the formation of Bangladesh in March, 1972. The people of this region faced tremendous hardships at the hands of their political masters as well as natural disasters in the form of cyclones. Despite these traumatic occurrences, one cannot but admire the resilience of this great nation that has emerged from the ashes to hold formidable sway over South Asia.

It might be recalled that the actual movement for Pakistan began in Bengal with the creation of the All-India Muslim League (AML) in 1906 in Dhaka while those in other parts of the region were vying for a united India. Even Muhammad Ali Jinnah did not join the AML until October 1913 and that too at the insistence of Sayyid Wazir Hasan and Muhammad Ali. How ironic is it that a country which was the product of Bengali leaders got named Pakistan, while overwhelmed by language issues, our brothers coined the name Bangladesh for their newly-founded country.

Looking back in time, innumerable questions sprout from that unfortunate chain of events, the answers to which were never properly given. Neither the politicians nor the military ever admitted to their shortcomings and short-sightedness in allowing history to unfold in a manner that fissured the relationship of those who were initially bonded forever. The many conspiracy theories circulating then and now are merely theories. The truth remains hidden behind our own persona and treatment of the Bangladeshi nation as a whole.

Waiving aside such contemplations, Yaqub Khan Bangash, in a column dated September 12, 2011 observed: “First, let us remember that the only time Pakistan has split, in 1971, was completely due to the attitudes and actions of the Pakistani government. Granted that India helped the East Pakistanis in their struggle, but that was at a very later stage and it did not play a major part in forming the separatist movement. Let us also not forget that after the December 16, 1971 surrender, Pakistan was at its lowest ebb and India could have easily instigated the break-up of West Pakistan – but it did not”.

Elie Wiesel has rightly said, “No human race is superior; no religious faith inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them.” For the intellectuals who bow before tyranny, “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides”. We have tread over many decades in our attempt to redress the mistakes committed by our earlier generations, but it appears that total deliverance from animosity is yet a far cry considering that free movement between the people of both countries is still restricted by visa requirements even for those whose birthplaces are located in the other region.

“Kab nazar may aaye gi bedagh sabzay ki bahaar;
Khoon kay dhabbay dhulaingay, kitni barsaaton kay baad”
— Faiz Ahmed Faiz

When shall we see the unblemished blossoms of spring? How many more rainfalls are needed to scour away blood stains? (Translation)

What can one say about the intellectual capacity of our global leadership than when in power they lose touch with the most crucial element of life – humanity. Perhaps Mark Twain was referring to these control freaks when in ‘What is Man?’ he wrote: “The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot”.

The writer is a lawyer and author who is currently an Adjunct Faculty at LUMS and member Advisory Board and Senior Visiting Fellow of PIDE