Chapter # 8 – Political Development in Pakistan 1947-2002

8.3 Fall of East Pakistan (1970-71)

8.3.1 Discuss the Reasons for the Tension between East Pakistan and West Pakistan i.e. Unfairness in Administration/ Lack of Political Representation, Armed Forces and Economic Distribution.

Background
Pakistan emerged as an independent Muslim-majority state in the aftermath of the Partition of the Indian subcontinent on August 14, 1947. The newly created state comprised two wings, East and West Pakistan, separated by 1000 kilometers of Indian territory. From its inception, Pakistan faced a security threat from its neighboring country, India, from which it was carved out. This threat materialized in 1971 when India attacked Pakistan, just 24 years after independence, in support of the revolt in the eastern wing. Historians suggest that the seeds of disintegration were sown soon after independence. From the outset, Bengalis felt subjected to political, economic, social, and cultural subjugation by West Pakistan. Over time, this sentiment and resentment intensified, ultimately leading to the breakup of the country.

Reasons for the tension between east and west Pakistan were as follows: 

1. Unfairness in Administration and Lack of Political Representation: East Pakistan, despite being more populous than West Pakistan, felt marginalized in terms of political representation and administrative decision-making. The central government, largely dominated by West Pakistanis, often favored the interests of the western wing over those of the eastern wing. Policies and development initiatives were implemented without adequate consideration for the unique needs and aspirations of East Pakistan. This lack of political representation and administrative fairness created a sense of alienation and disenfranchisement among Bengalis in East Pakistan.
2. Disproportionate Representation in Armed Forces: The armed forces of Pakistan, particularly the army, were heavily dominated by personnel from West Pakistan. Bengalis in East Pakistan felt underrepresented and marginalized within the military establishment. Moreover, recruitment, promotions, and leadership positions within the armed forces were disproportionately skewed towards West Pakistan, further exacerbating feelings of injustice and alienation among Bengali military personnel and civilians.
3. Economic Disparities and Unequal Distribution of Resources: Despite its significant economic contributions, especially through the jute industry, East Pakistan received a disproportionately smaller share of development funds and investment compared to West Pakistan. Economic resources were unevenly distributed between the two wings of the country, with East Pakistan often being neglected in terms of infrastructure development, investment in social services, and economic opportunities. This economic disparity fueled resentment and exacerbated the divide between East and West Pakistan, as Bengalis felt that their contributions to the national economy were not being adequately recognized or reciprocated.
4. Language Issue: After independence, the government sought to declare Urdu as the sole national language of Pakistan. In response, Bengalis advocated for Bengali to also be recognized as a national language, citing their majority population in East Pakistan. However, Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, rejected this demand and insisted that only Urdu would be the national language. Despite Jinnah’s stance, there was initially little resistance, with no major outcry when he toured East Pakistan and promoted Urdu as the national language. Subsequent leaders also reiterated Urdu’s status as the sole national language. The language issue resurfaced following Jinnah’s death, leading to protests in East Pakistan. The government’s refusal to recognize Bengali as a national language sparked agitation and unrest, culminating in a tragic event on February 21, 1952. During a protest rally in Dhaka commemorating “State Language Day,” police opened fire, resulting in the deaths of several students. This incident, known as the Language Movement, is remembered in Bangladesh as the first act of resistance against what is perceived as the cultural, political, and economic domination of West Pakistan over Bengalis. Today, Bangladesh commemorates the Language Movement as a symbol of its struggle for linguistic and cultural rights, and as a pivotal moment in its journey towards independence from Pakistan.
5. Unfairness in Administration: The administration was heavily centralized in West Pakistan, with little consideration for the unique needs and aspirations of East Pakistan. Policies and decisions often favored the western wing, further exacerbating the sense of injustice and neglect among East Pakistanis.

Overall, the combination of political marginalization, unequal representation in the armed forces, language issues , economic disparities and Unfairness in Administration created a deep sense of injustice and inequality among Bengalis in East Pakistan. These grievances, coupled with cultural and linguistic differences, eventually culminated in widespread discontent and the demand for greater autonomy and self-determination. Ultimately, the failure of the central government to address these underlying tensions led to the breakup of Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation in 1971.