Pakistan came into being because the likes of Jinnah did not believe Muslims would be ‘equal’ in a democratic set-up with a Hindu majority. The Hindus in its own designated territory were pushed out at the time of Partition and continue to be targeted in the present. Having achieved all that was desired, why has that ‘nation’ progressively descended into chaos – first, with the creation of Bangladesh, and then the continued advance towards Islamic fundamentalism? Experts point out that it is only the Army that keeps Pakistan’s provinces together through its recurrent crackdowns and denial of the people’s will. They got what they wanted, then what happened?
East Pakistan transformed into Bangladesh because the democratic process was scuttled following Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s victory in 1970. The Muslims of West Pakistan could not stomach a ‘Bengali’ as Prime Minister and unleashed a reign of terror leading to the liberation movement and India’s positive intervention. Even then, India did not take advantage of its dominance. In fact, it agreed to a badly negotiated peace deal. Relations were sometimes good, sometimes cold with the successive governments in Bangladesh. And, yet, Bangladesh has gone into a meltdown and bloodshed and riots have become the norm in the present. And, of course, the minorities are being brutally targeted.
Do not such developments raise questions about the viability of these ‘artificially constructed’ nationalities? Having effectively separated themselves from the main body of the sub-continent as political entities, why cannot they exist peacefully and positively? Why the continued obsession with India? Is there a civilisational pull towards a centre of gravity they cannot resist? And how does this play out in the present context? Should India continue to treat Pakistan and Bangladesh as ‘sovereign’ entities or begin charting a policy that considers them ‘dependencies’? Can there only be peace if India takes responsibility as the civilisational hub? The Pakistanis eagerly want a united sub-continent, albeit through ‘Gazwa-e-Hind’. The Bangladeshis increasingly consider West Bengal ‘within reach’, with a state government desperately trying to maintain balance between reality and make-believe. Under the circumstances, it is foolish for the Indian Government to continue with the old paradigm. It is time now to work out a new political philosophy that step-be-step reintegrates these breakaway entities – the modern and secular forces in Pakistan and Bangladesh should be aggressively supported – they are not that small in number as believed – to establish ‘friendly’ governments. The hands off policy does not work anymore – these are Trumpian times!
