Bangladesh Partition 1971 separation of East Pakistan
The Separation of East Pakistan or the Partition of Bangladesh is a painful event in the history of Pakistan. Usually, contemporary characters and events are considered responsible for it. The fact is that its causes lie deep in the history of Pakistan beyond the temporal frontiers of 1947.
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| Creation of Bangladesh 1971 |
Sheikh Mujeeb's Six Points Election 1970-71
Sheikh Mujeeb ur Rehman was the founder of Bangladesh (East Pakistan). He played an important role in the separation between the Government of Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan Martial law administrators. He presented the formula of separation popularly known as Mujeeb's six points. The government of Pakistan disagreed with him and his party Awami League. They have shown an extremely rigid position on these points before the 1970 elections. He was popular in Bengal for the implementation of six points. They arouse civil disobedience and defy the authority of the central government. A force of Freedom fighters known as Mukhti Bahini jammed the civil administration. In this scenario, India supported them and paved the way for the Awami League to declare the independence of Bangladesh as they cut off supplies from West Pakistan to East Pakistan.
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| Bangladesh Flag |
The Six Points Formula of Sheikh Mujeeb ur Rehman is as follows
1. The federal parliamentary system represents the province on the basis of population.
2. The Federal Government restricts foreign affairs, defence, and currency only.
3. The Federal Reserve system should be separated into east and west Wings.
4. The power of tax collection should be implemented by Provinces.
5. The separate foreign exchange accounts for each Wing.
6. East Pakistan should have paramilitary forces under provincial control.
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| Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, Bangladesh |
Election of 1970-71
The elections of 1970-71 are considered the first free and fair elections in Pakistan, yet is led to the disintegration of Pakistan. The results of the elections led to the victory of Sheikh Mujeeb's Awami league gained a majority of 160 seats of the National assembly out of which only 7 candidates belonged to West Pakistan. The People's Party of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto won 81 seats in West Pakistan and no seat in East Pakistan. Unfortunately, both leaders not accept the results and failed to maintain the Unity of Both wings East and West Pakistan. That resulted in a tragic division of the country and the separation of the sovereign state of Bangladesh emerged.
Reconciliation attempts
Military action in East Pakistan
International responses
Role of India:
- The geographical location of East Pakistan
- The population of East Pakistan
- India's air disconnection between the two wings of Pakistan on the pretext of the kidnapping of an aeroplane
- Indo-Soviet Collaboration
- India's military intervention
- Indo-Israel Agreement
- Refugee problem
Role of the Soviet Union:
- Soviet military assistance to India ( Indo-Soviet treaty August 1971)
- USSR's role in the UN Security Council ( rejection of Security Council resolution twice on 4th and 5th December 1971, later on, rejected General Assembly's resolution in Security Council third time)
- Russian Strategy to prevent a direct Chinese intervention in the war
- Significance of the Indian Ocean
Role of USA:
- Internal matter
- India rejected Nixon's appeal
- India declined to accept UN observers.
- Relief program through UN.
- Cancellation of export licenses for $3.6 million military equipment.
- Resolution of cease-fire and mutual withdrawal of troops in the security council.
- Resolution in General Assembly.
- The second Resolution in the Security Council was vetoed by the Soviet Union.
- Suspension of arms shipment and economic assistance of $ 87.6 million to India.
Role of China
The Rationale of Chinese Policy
- Principles of non-intervention ( internal matter of Pakistan. Separatist movement not broad-based.)
- Peaceful Coexistence ( opposed to the use of force. settlement of disputes through negotiations.)
- Opposition to foreign aggression.
Pak-India war 1971
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Bangladesh Partition 1971 separation of East Pakistan |
The 1971 war was fought between India and Pakistan 1971. The most tragic year of Pakistan's history. On the West Pakistan front on 3 December 1971, India attacked with the main attack on the Shakargarh sector supported by three brigades. The attack was halted in the track with heavy casualties effectively blocking and destroying the Indian penetrating army. In Jammu and Kashmir, Chamba, Lahore, Kasur, Sulemanki and Rajistan sector enemy inflated due to lack of forces in Pakistan. On 4th December 1971, the United States moved a draft resolution calling for a cease-fire and withdrawal of the Indian army. The bill was vetoed by Russia, and the other six resolutions including one by China were calling for a cease-fire and withdrawal of Forces.
Simla Agreement 1972
The Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan. Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on bilateral relation ( Simla Agreement) signed on 2nd July 1972. It led to the withdrawal of troops and the exchange of war prisoners. It followed the war between the two nations in the previous year that had led to the independence of East Pakistan as Bangladesh.
Disintegration of Pakistan
The violent crackdown by the Pakistani Army created hatred among the people and the popularity of the Awami League increased and which led to the declaration of East Pakistan as a separate country from Bangladesh although Islamists and Biharis opposed the partition.
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| Separation of East Pakistan, Bangladesh |