on December16, 1971 is a crucial and fundamental event in history of Pakistan. It not only left far reaching consequences but also played a key role in reshaping political and economic conditions over the years in whole region.
Photo by Simon Reza: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-fisherman-sitting-in-boat-12040412/
Fall of Dhaka
did not occur simply because of a war rather the eastern wing of Pakistan was
separated because of very complex conditions, environment and difficult
situation. To have better understanding of the event we have to go back in
history to 1947 when partition of India took place. It resulted in two
independent countries Pakistan and India.
Two far
distanced territory with no direct ground link East and west were declared part
of Pakistan. West part was the larger one having different cultures and languages
in it while the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) primarily comprised of
Bangali speaking population.
The two far
located regions had different cultures, languages, traditions, political
aspiration and economic conditions which proved to be the root cause of the
conflict and tension among residents over the years
Western part
being larger was dominant of two. Bengalis thought that they were treated as 2nd
class citizens on basis of lack of political power. The other factor which they
widely resented was declaration of urdu as National language instead of
Bangali. On the other hand, residents
of west Pakistan claimed that their natural and industrial resources were
depleted by the fellow citizen. This all led to socio and economic tensions
between two wings. The differences aggravated with passage of time because of
nonavailability of any responsible political role.
Apart from
Indian military intervention, three figures Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Sh. Mujeeb ur
Rehman and General Yahya will always be remembered as key responsible players
of historical event.
Mr.
Mujeeb ur Rehman led Awami league the main political party in east wing.
General Yahya
Khan was Pakistan’s chief of Army staff and had imposed Martial law in 1969. He
first promised to bring new reforms and early return to civil rule. His regime
soon got involved in political crisis and growing separatist movement in
eastern wing. His main responsibility as a military ruler was to maintain law
and order which he miserably failed.
In 1970,
general elections were held after long time in Pakistan. Awami League led by
Sh. Mujeeb won 167seats out of 169 in east Pakistan while PPP led by Zulfiqar
Ali Bhutto got majority in western wing. The military establishment led by
General Yahya at first showed reluctancy and then refused to hand over power to
Sh. Mujeeb despite his clear majority. It added to the grievances of
Bengalis. Thus, Mujeeb started
advocating more autonomy for his vote bank.
The bad feeling and unrest s slowly turned into violence Role of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto the then Prime Minister was also very ambiguous was OFTEN in favor of CRACK DOWN ON MOBS AND WANTED MILITARY SOLUTION AND at times talked about political dialogue. His hunger for power was always evident.
Photo by Serdi Nam: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-military-uniform-16435211/
General Yahya
Khan failed to read the intensity of crisis and never showed serious interest
IN negotiation with Awami League FOR
SOME POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. He resorted to military forces and opted to launch
brutal crackdown on Bengalis. It included massive arrests, torture and
killings. This strategy paved for inflaming the situation and pushed more
Bengalis (residents of east Pakistan) towards rebellion camps.
Yahya’s
decision to postpone 1971’s general elections and then imposing of martial law
was taken in east Pakistan as an attempt to marginalize Bangali speaking
inhabitants and to reserve the dominance of west Pakistan based politicians.
It all resulted
in increase of unrest and outbreak of street level violence and then ultimately
massive influx of refugees to neighboring India was seen. Indian government
since long had been criticizing Pakistan’s way of handling and treatment with
urdu speaking population and so took it as an opportunity to intervene in
support of rebels. The movement for independence grew stronger and the
situation deteriorated day by day.
Pakistan Army
which comprised mostly of troops from west Pakistan was ill prepared and failed
to cope with situation. They never expected Indian onslaught. The major factors
were far off distance from their region, very limited number and unclear
instructions from top level. Bhutto’s boycott of Poland’s resolution and
tearing off the documents in United Nations was also controversial and reflected
and irresponsible attitude.
On December16
1971 Pakistan Army which was very less in number crumbled to Indian forces. So
eastern wing of Pakistan emerged as an independent country under name of
Bangladesh.
The fall of Dhaka was a humiliating day for Pakistan Army and is always
considered as dark day in their history.
