On year 1971 new country had formed named Bangladesh. Meaning of Bangladesh is country of Bangla people. In 1947, India gained independence from British rule. After gaining independence from British rule in 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into two countries: India and Pakistan. Pakistan was further divided into two parts known as East Pakistan and West Pakistan.
In East Pakistan, the majority of the population consisted of people belonging to the Bangla ethnicity. They spoke the Bengali language as their primary language.
Background and history:
Reason of formation of new country Bangladesh:
- In the early years after independence, East Pakistan had limited political participation. The central government, located in West Pakistan, made decisions without much input from East Pakistanis. This created a feeling of exclusion and dissatisfaction among the people of East Pakistan.
- Despite East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) contributing 62% of the government’s income, the majority of the national budget was allocated to West Pakistan. Approximately 75% of the budget was spent on West Pakistan, creating a significant imbalance in resource allocation.
- West Pakistan experienced greater economic development compared to East Pakistan. The resources and investment were primarily focused on West Pakistan, leading to a significant disparity in economic growth between the two regions.
- East Pakistan’s primary language was Bengali and official language of Pakistan was Urdu. Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan was to have a united country where the people of both East and West Pakistan would share a common language. The official language should be Urdu. 56% of Pakistani was Bengali speaking. East Pakistan was Bengali speaking population and West Pakistan was imposed Urdu language on the population of East Pakistan. This resulted into starting of Bengali Language Movement in February 21, 1952. The protest under the same movement had been conducted. Pakistan Army had fired on the protest and 5 had been killed on the firing. 21 February celebrates as a Martyr’s Day in the Bangladesh. In year 1954 Bengali language got the official status and made state language in 1956.
- In the year 1965, India Pakistan war occurred. After the ending of war East Pakistan was left with a weak defence. The economical imbalance had more highlighted after the war got over.
The partition of Pakistan was based on several factors and circumstances that led to the creation of a new country. These factors included religious and cultural differences, political disagreements, and economic disparities between the regions. These situations and tensions ultimately laid the foundation for the formation of a separate country.
For the purpose of economic balance of the East Pakistan Mr. Sheikh Mujibeer Rahman had proposed 6 point policy to the Pakistan Government. But eventually the policy had been rejected by the government.
Government had arrested Mr. Sheikh Mujibeer Rahmaan and his 34 Associates on the ground of conspiracy made against the Pakistan. Genaral Ayub Khan had claimed that the Mr. Sheikh Mujibeer Rahmaan and his Associates collaborated with the Indian government for the purpose of separate nation in the Agartala.
At the time of imprisonment of Mr. Shaikh, he had become the popular leader in the East Bangladesh. Later protest had carried out in the East Pakistan. Due to protest Shaikh had released from the jail and dissolved the case made against the Shaikh.
The intensity of the protest had been so high that General Ayub Khan resigned the post and Mr. Yahya Khan appointed as the general. Yahya Khan had decided to conduct the Parliament election in the Pakistan. Election had conducted and result had come out. On the result Avami League won with the 167 out 313 seats. It was clearly indicate that Awami League was the sole winner of the election but Pakistan elite was not happy with the results. Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had decided to dismiss the Parliamentary election. On March 1st, 1971 elections got canceled.
The decision created chaos situation in the East Pakistan. East Pakistan had started the non-cooperation movement on March 7th 1971 to oppose the decision.
Army had been arrived through air ways from the West Pakistan to control the situation in the East Pakistan. In the other hand army of East Pakistan had been assembled and organized called Mukti Vahini.
West Pakistan had made the army for control East Pakistan conflict and named it as Shanti Vahini. The group of army had conducted various war crimes in the East Pakistan such as Rap, Murders Etc. East Pakistan Conducted the Gorilla Warfare against West Pakistan. Here Indian Army had played the significant role by providing training to the soldier of East Pakistan.
On March 25th 1971 West Pakistan had planned the genocide (operation Searchlight) in the East Pakistan. Army of Pakistan had marched in the Dhaka in night of 25th march 1971.More than 30000 Bengali people had been killed and most of the citizens had been migrated in the India. Meanwhile; Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced East Pakistan is the separate country called Bangladesh at the midnight. Therefore, Bangladesh celebrates 26th March as an Independence Day. Exile government of Republic of Bangladesh had been established in the city Kolkata. Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had become the 1st president and Tajuddin Ahmad had become the 1st Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
India’s Role in the Formation of Bangladesh: A Key Catalyst for Independence:
During the partition of Pakistan, around 10 million refugees crossed the borders and migrated to India. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the Indian Prime Minister at the time, Indira Gandhi, felt compelled to take action against Pakistan. India provided support to the East Pakistani independence movement, which aimed to break away from Pakistan and establish an independent Bangladesh. As the number of refugees increased and the atrocities continued, India could not remain a passive observer.
Indira Gandhi made the decision to intervene militarily in support of the liberation movement. The Indian Armed Forces launched a full-scale military operation against Pakistan in December 1971. The conflict resulted in the swift defeat of Pakistani forces, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
Conclusion:
It was a significant turning point in the history of the Indian subcontinent, leading to the establishment of a new country and further shaping the dynamics between India and Pakistan.
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