Seventy years of Partition
Two of the countries of the subcontinent—Pakistan and India—celebrated their Independence Day on the 14th and 15th August respectively. Seventy years ago in August the region saw the end of the colonial rule and division of the land creating two countries out of one. A lot of water has flown through the Indus and the Ganges during this time which has witnessed tumultuous events that have had far-reaching consequences on the democratic and socio-economic fabric of the countries, including the splitting of Pakistan.
Pakistan has had to suffer many setbacks since its birth, not least of all the loss of the two main architects of its independence—Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan. The inability of the central leadership to address diversity of the country and the provincial discrepancy coupled with the democratic deficit led to its eventual dismemberment in 1971. In spite of the considerable development and economic progress Pakistan has made so far, interventions in politics by the army almost every ten years since 1958 have stunted the growth of democratic culture in that country. Extremism and terrorism have taken a very heavy toll on the country on all counts.
India was, for the many newly decolonised countries of the world, a role model of democracy, secularism, an epitome of inclusive and tolerant society. The inherent democratic culture of the Indian leaders, who guided India through the seminal stages of its independence, helped to strengthen its democratic institutions. Democracy and secularism were synonymous with India which earned it accolades from the rest of the world. However, one sees a gradual denudation of the values and ethos which have stood India apart from others, with a sudden rise of communalism in the country. If one accepted Hindutva as an expression of Hindu nationalism, its manifestation in the form of 'goraksha' vigilante groups—which target the Muslims—not only dents its past credentials but causes concern among its minorities also. The UP government run by a yogi is testimony to how Hindutva firebrands are gripping India also.
Bangladesh has more than a vicarious association with 1947. We suffered the trauma of the killing of the Father of the Nation not long after our liberation. Democracy in Bangladesh too had stumbled, and we have had our share of military interventions, but we feel confident that democracy in the last 25 years has taken root. However, the fissiparous forces of extremism and religious intolerance have tried to raise their heads from time to time. But we have managed to keep these in check. Nonetheless, the only means to ensure that such tendencies are snubbed for good is an egalitarian society served by a truly democratic dispensation reflecting the true aspirations of the people. Anything short will defeat the reason for which we parted ways with Pakistan in 1971.
Last seventy years of a decolonised and independent subcontinent have many things to rejoice in, but it is not an unalloyed celebration. We should have done better.
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