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Creation of Bangladesh: Myths Exploded: Isbn: Author

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12 views2 pages

Creation of Bangladesh: Myths Exploded: Isbn: Author

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Khizar Hayat
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© © All Rights Reserved
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132

CREATION OF BANGLADESH: MYTHS EXPLODED


Review by: Asfand Yar Khan*

ISBN: 9789692316903
Author: Dr. Junaid Ahmed

T he 1971-War has been a tragic incident in Pakistan’s history. The separation of East
Pakistan was not a result of abrupt developments, especially in the late 1960s. It had
been coming since the inception of Pakistan in 1947. The book titled “Creation of
Bangladesh: Myths Exploded” reveals historical facts that caused the upheaval in 1971. It
covers the conspiracies, misadventures, and failures while discussing the overstated
narratives and their proliferation through hostile powers to tarnish Pakistan’s image.
The book exposes misunderstandings in history and unveils the truths about the
formation of Bangladesh.

In the opening, the author discusses the narratives critical to Pakistan’s armed
forces concerning the massacre in East Pakistan and a complete amnesty to MuktiBahini
and Indian troops. It also enlists some fabricated myths and breaks them with facts and
figures, such as socio-political issues, propaganda against Pakistan armed forces, Indian
intrusion, killings, rapes, and Prisoners of War (PoWs).

The author highlights troubling events, including the ethnic divide, leading to
bitterness in East Pakistan. It took plenty of sacrifices for Muslims of the subcontinent
to carve out their homeland (1947). Despite the inspiring struggle, ethnic polarization
started soon after independence, when language became a political issue, whereas
human and natural bases further alienated east and west wings. Consequently, five
factors like language issues, the damaging role of political parties, colonial-era-inspired
bureaucracy, discriminatory part of private investors, and economic deprivation and
exploitation widened the gap.

India has been hostile towards Pakistan since its inception. In 1947, slogans of
regional reunification emerged within the Indian leadership. The philosophy of Akhand
Bharath (united India) did not allow Hindu nationalists to accept the 1947-partition;
they considered it a temporary event. India’s military and political offices never left any
opportunity to damage Pakistan. The book quotes various speeches of Prime Minister

*Mr Asfand Yar Khan is an Intern at Institute for Strategic Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence
University, Islamabad.

Margalla Papers-2021 (Issue-II) [132-133]


Creation of Bangladesh: Myths Exploded 133

Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. It also describes specific facts about Indian
Congress and right-wing extremist organizations like the Hindu Mahasabha and
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Furthermore, the author discusses the political
rivalry between Z. A. Bhutto (Pakistan People’s Party) and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(Awami League) in the backdrop of the 1970-General Elections.

This book uncovers MuktiBahini, including its organizational structure,


objectives, and tactics to achieve its goals. It shows the nexus between India’s Research
and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Bengali insurgents. Over the years, the Indian lobby
and hostile powers have portrayed Pakistan as an oppressor and MuktiBahini as a local
revolutionary militia. Agartala Conspiracy case also unveiled the contacts between
Awami League and Indian Intelligence. After establishing RAW in 1968, Indian
leadership authorized it to raise a militant outfit in border areas of East Pakistan and
India to exploit the internal vulnerabilities of Pakistan. The Indian Border Security Force
(BSF) provided essential sabotage training to the militants (terrorists in the
contemporary environment).

The last section opines that Bangladesh confronted economic and political
disturbances soon after separating from West Pakistan. Despite promising a better
future, the Awami League exposed its dictatorial and authoritative intentions. Scores of
non-Bengalis were brutally killed or starved to death. The Golden Bengal promised by
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not glitter. Bangladeshis are yet to see the prosperity
pledged at the time of separation. The bilateral relations between Pakistan and
Bangladesh did not normalize even after four decades. Mistrust and suspicion have kept
the two countries from enabling a cooperative relationship. Pakistan and Bangladesh
possess enormous strategic and economic potential. As the author suggests, both states
must take confidence-building steps to establish strong ties based on mutual
understanding and trust in the future. Pragmatically, there are no permanent
adversaries or friends, but only interests. There are examples of past skirmishes entering
bilateral agreements and multilateral cooperation for mutual gain in world history.
Bangladeshi intellectuals are often sceptical of India’s superiority complex over them.
Pakistan can capitalize on this opportunity to counter Indian hegemonic designs in the
region.

Margalla Papers-2021 (Issue-II) [132-133]

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