Why was the Awami League not allowed to form government in 1971?

[karnivore]

Let me remind you all, that India too had its own share of language movement.

Immediately after the partition Nehru, decided to make Hindi the national language and phase out English over time (Article 343(1) provided for discontinuing English after 25th Feb, 1965). This move would have put the entire eastern and southern India at great disadvantage, because the local languages of these parts are no where close to being similar to Hindi. However for northern and western India it wouldn't have been a problem. This resulted in a massive civil movement in southern and eastern India, spearheaded by the Tamils, supported by the Bengalis. Faced with such unrest, Nehru* dropped his plan, and included 14 languages as official language and English was retained. English, although for some, it bore the stench of colonial past, was acceptable to all, because, it was perceived as not to give any particular region any added advantage due to language. Currently there are 22 languages (including Urdu) which are constitutionally recognized (although something around 33 languages have been identified). There is no particular language as "national" language. All intra-govt. communications are however in Hindi and/or English (with a Hindi translation).

What is interesting, is how both the countries, born of the same womb, handled the same problem of language so differently. While the Indian leadership decided to listen to the dissenting voices and respect their sentiments, Pakistani leadership, tried to shove their policy down the throat of a large section of its population. They either did not have clue about how to handle sensitive issues, or just did not care (for obvious reasons).

So yes, it is easy to blame India for the dismemberment of Pakistan, but the fact remains, that Pakistan has only itself to blame for creating a situation that gave India the opportunity to bite.

*ERRATA: It was Lal Bahadur Shastri who dropped the plan and not Nehru.

 

[DarkStar]

Let me remind you all, that India too had its own share of language movement.

Immediately after the partition Nehru, decided to make Hindi the national language and phase out English over time (Article 343(1) provided for discontinuing English after 25th Feb, 1965). This move would have put the entire eastern and southern India at great disadvantage, because the local languages of these parts are no where close to being similar to Hindi. However for northern and western India it wouldn't have been a problem. This resulted in a massive civil movement in southern and eastern India, spearheaded by the Tamils, supported by the Bengalis. Faced with such unrest, Nehru dropped his plan, and included 14 languages as official language and English was retained. English, although for some, it bore the stench of colonial past, was acceptable to all, because, it was perceived as not to give any particular region any added advantage due to language. Currently there are 22 languages (including Urdu) which are constitutionally recognized (although something around 33 languages have been identified). There is no particular language as "national" language. All intra-govt. communications are however in Hindi and/or English (with a Hindi translation).

What is interesting, is how both the countries, born of the same womb, handled the same problem of language so differently. While the Indian leadership decided to listen to the dissenting voices and respect their sentiments, Pakistani leadership, tried to shove their policy down the throat of a large section of its population. They either did not have clue about how to handle sensitive issues, or just did not care (for obvious reasons).

So yes, it is easy to blame India for the dismemberment of Pakistan, but the fact remains, that Pakistan has only itself to blame for creating a situation that gave India the opportunity to bite.

A student of Subcontinental history would know, that the question was addressed by the Pakistan Government, and Bengali was declared an official language, on par with Urdu, in 1956. This was 15 years before the creation of Bangladesh.

 

[karnivore]

^^ Correct, but it was only after the "bhasha andolon" (language movement), which resulted in the brutal 21st Feb, 1952. It was this incident, that sparked the Bengali national movement.

 

[DarkStar]

^^ Correct, but it was only after the "bhasha andolon" (language movement), which resulted in the brutal 21st Feb, 1952. It was this incident, that sparked the Bengali national movement.

It must be remembered, that teh government responsible at that time, was led by a Bengali, Khawaja Nazimuddin. Many prominent Bengali politicians did not favour Bengali being the only official language of Pakistan.

I think a compromise on English would have been a good thing, but it was too early after the British Raj for that to have happened.

Are you seriously suggesting, Bangladesh would not have been created, if instead of 1956, Bengali had become and official language in 1948?

 

[karnivore]

I am not suggesting anything. I am pointing out, that the rise of Bengali nationalism was sparked by that incident. It gathered wind over time due to many other misadventures of Pakistani leadership.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Tensions and issues over inequality in a range of issues have existed in almost every country, ethnically diverse or not, throughout history. Nations work through those tensions and issues over time as the nation, institutions, society evolves and matures.

Pakistan (East and West) was no different. What set it apart, and compounded the ethnic and cultural differences, was of course the geographical separation, and of course the interventionist policies of a much larger neighbor. One could argue that Bangladesh was destined to be created the day Pakistan became independent. There were just too many inherent differences.

1947 should have seen the creation of three independent nations.

 

[karnivore]

Buddy, careful when you say, "1947 should have seen the creation of three independent nations", because that would tantamount to accepting that the 2 nation theory was probably not a wise theory after all.

 

[leonblack08]

1947 should have seen the creation of three independent nations.

Absolutely correct sir!That's what I always think but unfortunately it did not happen.

Though I feel a little compromise from both East and West could keep the country united.

 

[leonblack08]

^^ Correct, but it was only after the "bhasha andolon" (language movement), which resulted in the brutal 21st Feb, 1952. It was this incident, that sparked the Bengali national movement.

I totally agree with you.That incident left a scar on the minds of the people.

I didn't know about the Indian language movement,nice to know they solved it peacefully making everyone happy.

Compromise,that's what was needed for United Pakistan's case.

 

[leonblack08]

It must be remembered, that teh government responsible at that time, was led by a Bengali, Khawaja Nazimuddin. Many prominent Bengali politicians did not favour Bengali being the only official language of Pakistan.

That's where the problem is.These people did not represent the ordinary Bengali people.They were altogether in a different league.

Popular leaders like Maulana Bhashani supported the language movement.On January 31, 1952 he formed the "All Party Language movement Committee" at the Dhaka Bar Library.

While the Pakistani state privileged Urdu as ‘Islamic language’, the
Muslim theologian Maulana Bhashani gave full backing to the demand that Bengali be
recognized as one of Pakistan’s national languages.

A point to note is that he used to have an anti-India stance.So some people who claim language movement was instigated by India, may not be valid.

 

[DarkStar]

That's where the problem is.These people did not represent the ordinary Bengali people.They were altogether in a different league.

Popular leaders like Maulana Bhashani supported the language movement.On January 31, 1952 he formed the "All Party Language movement Committee" at the Dhaka Bar Library.

A point to note is that he used to have an anti-India stance.So some people who claim language movement was instigated by India, may not be valid.

OF course there was an issue, and it was allowed to fester. Maybe the Bengali politicians (prime ministers and Governor Generals) were too aloof, and not aware of the sensitivities of the East Pakistani populace. They probably misjudged the sentiment, and were themselves very exposed to North Indian culture and language, so maybe didn't think it was the issue it was perceived to be in East Pakistan.

It must be noted, that apart from the said Maulana, many Hindu members of Parliament were at the forefront of this issue, and did not miss an opportunity to unsettle affairs. Names such as Dhirendranat Dutta, Prem H. Burman, Bhupinder Dutta, and Sri Chandra Chattopadhyay come to mind.

 

[DarkStar]

since we've solved the question of Iskander Mirza's ancestry, I am merging the thread with the original discussion, as we seem to have progressed towards it in any case.

Threads Merged.

 

[TopCat]

Khaja Najimuddin belonged to Pakistan elite (East and west pakistan) class. But he faught for the cause of Bengali muslim before and after 1947 which includes Bengal division, contribution to Dhaka University etc. He is considered as Bengali leader till this day and he is buried side by side with Sohrawardy and Fazlul haque. We call the burial site as Majar of 3 leaders (most presigious govt graveyard where even ziaur rahman were not placed). Nawab familly's decendents (not sure whether direct) are still active in politics for example Mr. Tanvir ahmed siddiki whose son made allegation against Khaleda Zia regarding 5 cr. bribes. Nobody say that they are not Bengalis.
Nazimuddin, Iskander Mirja and the then ruling leaders in west pakistan at that time all belonged to the same group and they came from elite class and had very little to do with ordinary people. The military leadership which snatched the power later on also lead by Punjabi elites. As the powerhouse resided in the west pakistan and those elites were in control in Pindi, the bengalis felt marginalized and they saw their true leaders were not given due places in running the country. Pakistan could use Fazlul Haque who was one of the most genious leaders in India who did land reform and abolished feudalism in Bengal in 1949 was considered as communist. Instead of using these kind of leaders Pakistan made them as its enemy.

 

[TopCat]

Are you seriously suggesting, Bangladesh would not have been created, if instead of 1956, Bengali had become and official language in 1948?

It was just the most prominent event but not the solitary one.
Bengali language and culture is the pride of Bengals as they believed (right or wrong) is the most enriched language in subcontinent. In 1947 E. Pakistan lost its cultural center in Calcutta and they were still recovering, and it was a sudden blow for them when somebody who has nothing to do with Bengali, Mr. Jinnah declared that Urdu and Urdu will be the the only national language of Pakistan.
Basically it was not Bengali but West pakistanis who were too afraid of Bengalis from the day it was incorporated in Pakistan. They thought Bengalis will take over Pakistan, that was the only fear that made them to do all the irrational things.

 

[TopCat]

Tensions and issues over inequality in a range of issues have existed in almost every country, ethnically diverse or not, throughout history. Nations work through those tensions and issues over time as the nation, institutions, society evolves and matures.

Pakistan (East and West) was no different. What set it apart, and compounded the ethnic and cultural differences, was of course the geographical separation, and of course the interventionist policies of a much larger neighbor. One could argue that Bangladesh was destined to be created the day Pakistan became independent. There were just too many inherent differences.

1947 should have seen the creation of three independent nations.

Yes its all true. You guys in W. Pakistan still working on it and seems like the situation is getting bad to worse day by day even after 60 years of independence.