The political ideology based on religion that led to the Partition of India has failed the test of time. What were originally West and East Pakistan and are now Pakistan and Bangladesh are very close to becoming failed states. The attempt by Bangladesh to establish a modern secular democracy could not succeed because the principles that led to the nation’s formation could not survive military coups and revived fundamentalism. This was despite establishing a relatively successful economic model.
Pakistan has done even worse. When news comes in of some fifty civilians being shot dead by a militant group while travelling in buses, there is no surprise expressed around the world. The Pakistani ideology was an artificial construct imposed on a diverse people who traditionally existed in autonomous communities. The attempt to wipe out the region’s ‘Indianness’ by adopting a fake identity that has not found acceptance among fellow Islamic nations has deprived the pseudo-nation of any historic continuity. As a result, any sense of identity only comes from being hostile towards India and pretending that getting Kashmir would solve everything. The political domination of the Punjabis has meant that formerly important regions like Sindh and the North-West contribute very little to the nationhood project. Baluchistan has become almost permanently alienated and a hotbed of terrorist activity. The tragic part is that, before partition, these regions were least interested in the Pakistan project.
Sadly, owing to these conditions in both nations, the situation has led to not just the rise in religious fundamentalism, but also its going mainstream. This is quite contrary to the direction seen in many other Muslim nations that have realised that without integrating with the world economically and culturally there is no future. Unfortunately, both Bangladesh and Pakistan border countries that also face serious security problems, as a result of which, managing the flow of refugees has also become a major disruptive factor.
Earlier, in the case of Pakistan, India sought to adopt an accommodative approach, which was unfortunately seen as weakness. Now, however, with the Modi Government maintaining a hard line, there is little scope for taking advantage. Pakistan is left to stew in its own juices. Without a doubt, a similar approach will be required to deal with Bangladesh, but it will depend on how the situation emerges. Hopefully, better sense will prevail after the hubris of those presently in power will abate. Partition, truly, has proved a heavy price to pay for its proponents.
