Tensions have come to a head in the subcontinent once again. The latest controversy erupted after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly admitted India’s role in the 1971 war that saw Bangladesh emerge as a separate state. Following this admission, many in Pakistan are calling for action against India in the wake of this revelation at the forum of the United Nations. However, there are also many in Pakistan who hardly consider these claims new and do not see why the government is making such a fuss about something that a lot of Pakistanis have known and accepted for decades. Dawn spoke to veteran journalist and rights activist, I.A. Rehman, and asked him for his perspective on these developments.

Q: How do you evaluate Pakistan’s reaction to the Indian PM’s remarks regarding the events that led to the creation of Bangladesh?

A: In my opinion, Pakistan should not have reacted the way it has to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s provocative statement about the 1971 war. This will bear no fruit for the country as a whole. Instead of this reaction, the government of Pakistan and concerned policy makers should focus their energies on understanding why the Indian prime minister made these remarks at this point in time. In my view, a tit-for-tat response is of no use.

Q: Why do you think Indian PM made these remarks at a time when all of South Asia –from Afghanistan to Myanmar – is in turmoil?

A: It’s simple; India is trying to isolate Pakistan in this region. Like any other country, India also has its own interests to follow, be they in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Myanmar. To the best of my understanding, if we allow ourselves to be provoked, as we have been by what Mr Modi has said, we will only be playing into the hands of our enemies. India has always and will always try and engender such controversies, mainly to appease local hawks and its own allies. We should ignore such provocation to the best of our abilities; a mere condemnation would have been sufficient.

Q: Is there anything new about the claims that Mr Modi has made regarding India’s role in the secession of East Pakistan?

A: No, there is nothing that the Indian and Bangladeshi prime ministers talked about during former’s visit to Bangladesh that we haven’t heard before. Dozens of books have been written on the subject; outlining the role of the Indian government in the creation of Bangladesh. This is not even the first time that Bangladesh has formally lauded India’s role in their liberation movement. I, for one, am really surprised with the over-reaction from our establishment and politicians.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play