ALMOST 52 years have gone past, but, unfortunately, the blame game between Pakistan and Bangladesh has not ended. It is time for both countries to stop the blame game and look forward to a constructive and positive relationship by finding the elusive common ground.
First thing first; the two-nation theory is very much alive and will always remain so. The proud and separate identity of Bangladesh as a Muslim state is a testimony, in fact, to the validity of the two-nation theory. Today, the erstwhile East Pakistan is actively participating in global support of our Kashmiri and Palestinian brothers and sisters. This is a clear negation of the approach of India on these counts.
The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed by Lord Hume, a British civil servant, which was supported at the time by the Muslims with complete commitment. But the Muslims were deceived and embarrassed at every step by the INC leadership, particularly after the horrible experience of the 1905 division of Bengal when it dawned upon them that the INC would never support the Muslim cause.
It was only then that the Muslims of the subcontinent decided to form their own political party, the All-India Muslim League (AIML), whih was done on Dec 31, 1906, at Dhaka. This is surely a common ground for both Pakistan and Bangladesh.
From 1906 to 1940, plenty of water went under the bridge. After being deceived at every step, the Muslims decided to part ways from the Hindus. As a result, they demanded a separate homeland through the adoption of the famed Lahore Resolution of March 23, 1940, which was moved by the East Bengal leader, A.K. Fazlul Haq. This, for sure, is yet another common ground for Pakistan and Bangladesh to make a common cause for a positive and constructive ties.
The other aspect that we should all realise is that had there been no Pakistan, there would have been no Bangladesh. As such, both countries should jointly celebrate March 23 and Dec 31 to promote the search of common ground.
A realisation in India has emerged that the establishment of Bangladesh actually preduced negative connotations for India. Also, the uneasiness and turmoil unfolding in Bangladesh along with right-wing sentiments, is pointing towards the shape of things to come.
The people of Bangladesh have seen and experienced the ugly, rigid and communal face of India during the last 50 years. After such a reality that has dawned upon them, they will not accept the hegemony of India anymore. Nowadays, Indian media is making adverse comments against Bangladesh about the recent development of right-wing sentiments in the country. This is a testimony to the friction that now exists between the two countries.
In Bangladesh, general elections are expected in 2024 in which the chance of success for the current government is slim. The newly elected government of Bangladesh in any case will try to get out of the Indian influence completely. Pakistan must provide full support to Bangladesh in its desire to assert itself against India.
A Bangladesh that is unfriendly to India is actually a strength to Pakistan, and will represent the actual realisation of the two-nation theory. Pakistan and Bangladesh must come close in the fields of foreign affairs, trade and defence to serve the best interests of both the countries, as well as for the stability of the South Asian region and world peace.
Lt-Col (retd) Syed Iftikhar Ahmed
Karachi
Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2023
