The Socio-Political Dynamics of East Pakistan’s Partition

Abstract

The Indian subcontinent, one of the world's most densely populated regions, is home to a multitude of cultures, languages, religions, and ethnic groups. This demographic diversity has profoundly influenced the region's historical development and socio-political structure. The dominance of the British East India Company in the region exerted significant pressure on local administrations and the populace, leading to various resistance movements. By 1947, British control over India had ended, and the Indian people had gained the power to determine their own future. However, Muslims, facing Hindu dominance and inequalities, sought to establish their own state. Discriminatory policies against Muslims, rising Hindu nationalism, and harsh living conditions led to the partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan (East and West). East Pakistan was established as a province of Pakistan in 1947. While the people of East Pakistan spoke Bengali, the population of West Pakistan spoke Urdu. The insistence of Pakistan's founding leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on making Urdu the sole official language in 1948 sparked significant protests in East Pakistan, where Bengali speakers demanded linguistic freedom and rights. Over the years, these protests escalated into violent clashes with the Pakistani army, turning Bengali into a national symbol and deepening the political divide between East and West Pakistan. Despite constituting the majority of Pakistan's population, Bengalis in East Pakistan received a smaller share of the national income. While West Pakistan experienced significant industrialization, East Pakistan lagged behind, with its export products partially financing t he industrialization process. The neglect of East Pakistan in socio-economic development and the disproportionate use of its resources for military and industrial purposes in West Pakistan fueled discontent among Bengalis. The geographical separation of East Pakistan from the central government, with India lying in between, further complicated governance. During the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, most military forces were deployed to West Pakistan, leaving East Pakistan feeling isolated and vulnerable. The political representation of East Pakistan was dominated by West Pakistani politicians, leading to further alienation. Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won a significant victory in the 1970 general elections, but the refusal of the Pakistani government to transfer power to him intensified calls for independence in East Pakistan. The
subsequent military operation in 1971, led by Yahya Khan, aimed to suppress the independence movement but resulted in widespread violence and atrocities, deepening Bengali resentment towards West Pakistan. With Indian support, the Mukti Bahini fought against the Pakistani army, leading to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Pakistan suffered a major defeat on December 16, 1971, and East Pakistan declared independence as Bangladesh. The separation of East Pakistan, influenced by various political, economic, and cultural factors, highlighted the challenges of maintaining a unified state with diverse identities.