CSS Pakistan Affairs | Post-1971 Relevance of the Two-Nation Theory
This article examines whether the creation of Bangladesh was a structural refutation of Muslim nationalism in South Asia or a consequence of political, economic, and administrative missteps.
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Understanding The Two-Nation Theory
3. Post 1971 Relevance of Two-Nation Theory: An Analysis
4. Why Separation of East Pakistan Is Not the Structural Negation of Theory
- 4.1 Bengalis Remain Separate State Rather Than Merging into India
- 4.2 Communal Differences in India Prompt Rebirth of Two-Nation Theory
- 4.3 Pakistan, the Child of Two-Nation Theory, Stands Tall
5. How Was the Separation of East Pakistan an Administrative Failure Rather Than Structural Negation of Two-Nation Theory?
- 5.1 Political Leadership Failed to Reach an Agreed-Upon Constitution
- 5.2 The Political and Economic Disparity Sparked Dissent Against West Pakistan
- 5.3 Military and Political Leadership was Unwilling to Transfer Power to Bengalis
6. Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Two-Nation Theory laid the foundation of Pakistan’s ideology. It was introduced by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who proposed that Hindus and Muslims in India are two separate nations. The Idea was further propagated by all India Muslim League that ultimately led to the establishment of Pakistan. While after the separation of East Pakistan Indians claim the structural negation of Two-Nation Theory, it is still relevant as Bengali has retain their separate Muslim majority identity and preferred to remain a separate Nation rather than merging with Indian Bengal region. Ironically, the theory is completely relevant in today’s India, where Muslims are suffering due to their separate identity like pre-partition era. Two-Nation Theory cannot be irrelevant as long as Pakistan exists. The separation of East India Pakistan was not the negation of the theory; it was the administrative failure of West Pakistan’s political leadership and bureaucratic-military establishment. The major reasons behind Dhaka fall were the failure to draw a unanimous constitution, increased economic disparities, and under representation and under development of Bengalis. Hence, separation of east Pakistan was not the structural negation of the theory but an administrative failure of Pakistan civil-military elite.
Understanding Two-Nation Theory
Before discussing the post 1971 relevance of Two-Nation Theory. It is important to understand nuances of the theory. Two-Nation Theory is considered as a foundational stone of Pakistan’s ideology. Although theory originally never mentioned the division of India, it provided the intellectual foundation to Muslims for creating their separate homeland based on their separate identity. Pioneer of Two-Nation Theory, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was previously staunch supporter of Hindu Muslim unity and brotherhood; however, Hindu-Muslim conflicts in general and Urdu Hindi controversy in particular prompted him to revise his thoughts. He realized that Hindus at Muslims hardly shared common cultures; their religions were different; cultural values were divided; their heroes and villains were not same; and their histories had always remained contradictory. In the light of these visible differences Hindus and Muslims could not be the same Nation. Therefore, with the foundation of Two-Nation Theory Muslim League demanded to separate state for two separate Nations. Finally, after a long struggle Muslim League succeeded gaining separate homeland for Indian Muslims but inherit several problems due to unjustified partition of particularly Punjab and Bengal region. One of those problems is the geography distance between eastern and western wings of Pakistan facilitating the administrative rift between both wings.
Post 1971 Relevance of Two-Nation Theory: An Analysis
Due to several administrative and political problems, the East Pakistan became Bangladesh, a separate sovereign state, with the help of India in 1971. On the separation, the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, questioned the relevance of Two-Nation Theory, she said, “we have drowned the Two-Nation Theory into the Bay of Bengal”; however, in reality, Two-Nation Theory is still alive: the Muslims with their Islamic cultures retained their separate identity due to which Indian Muslims are suffering under an extremist Hindu government. Moreover, Two-Nation Theory continues to reshape Indo-pak relations, and above all Bangladesh has retain their separate identity as a Muslim majority state. Therefore, Two-Nation Theory is still alive and completely relevant particularly in the South Asian region.
Why Separation of East Pakistan Is Not the Structural Negation of Theory
- Bengalis Remains Separate State Rather Than Merging into India
Separation of East Pakistan is not the structural negation of Two-Nation Theory. First, because after the separation, East Pakistan did not merge into India, where the same Bengali ethnicity lives rather it become a separate Muslim majority state. This separate Muslim identity continues to shape their laws, customs, and values, despite the fact, Bangladesh is a secular country. Therefore, its separation from Pakistan has not negated Two-Nation Theory.
- Communal Differences in India Prompt Rebirth of Two-Nation Theory
Moreover, Two-Nation Theory is extremely relevant in today’s India. The current BJP’s government has made the secular India a Hindu state, where minority rights are at stake. Particularly, Muslims are suffering more than any other minority community in India due to their sheer separate identity and cultural and religious clash with Hindus. Therefore, if the Two-Nation Theory had become irrelevant with Dhaka fall, the Indian Muslims would not suffer the atrocities of Modi’s government.
- Pakistan, the Child of Two-Nation Theory, Stands Tall
Second, although the division was a great loss of Pakistan, it does not mean the end of the country. Pakistan is the practical manifestation of Two-Nation Theory; therefore, the theory remains intact as long as Pakistan exists. Moreover, Two-Nation Theory continues to shape the Indo pak relations as it is an Integral part of Pakistan’s ideology.
How Was the Separation of East Pakistan an Administrative Failure Rather Than Structural Negation of Two-Nation Theory?
- Political Leadership Failed to Reach an Agreed-Upon Constitution
Political leadership of Pakistan had failed in drafting and agreed upon constitution. It took nine years to formulate first constitution of the state. The major cause of delay was disagreement on whether the state should be federal or unitary. The leaders of East Pakistan advocated federal system with maximum provincial autonomy to which West’s leadership disagreed. Moreover, East Pakistan had more population than west therefore, they wanted population based represented in legislature; on the other hand, west Pakistan with comparatively lower but diverse population asked for equal parity-based representation in legislature. Disagreements caused deadlock over constitution making and created a rift between both wings from the very beginning.
- The Political and Economic Disparity Sparked Dissent Against West Pakistan
Moreover, the prolonged and continuous marginalization of Bengal ethnicity ignited separatist movements. Bengali constituted only 1% in Pakistan’s army in 1947, and by 1960 their number went up to only 7%. Despite the fact their population was greater than West Pakistan. Likewise, East Pakistan was outnumbered by West Pakistan in bureaucracy as only 24% Bengali were part of it in 1960. Economically, East Pakistan was contributing to Pakistan’s GDP more than west Pakistan; almost 70% of foreign exchange earned through jute that produced in East Pakistan. However, East Pakistan was given only a small portion of development funds; from 1947 to 1970 the development budget allocated to East and West Pakistan was $258 million and $114 million dollar respectively. Such inequalities marginalized Bengalis on social, political, and economic level, and sparked their resentments against West Pakistan that ultimately led to the separation.
- Military and Political Leadership was Unwilling to Transfer Power to Bengalis
Unwillingness of military and political leadership of West Pakistan to hand over power to sheikh Mujib’s Awami League, the victor of 1970’s general election, proved to be a last nail in the coffin. Awami League got landslide victory and had clean swept the East Pakistan’s general elections; it won 167 general seats out of 169. However, in West Pakistan, PPP was winner with 81 seats. As per rules, the Awami League’s government would be made, and PPP would be the strongest opposition. Nevertheless, when the political leadership of East Pakistan realized that civil military elite of West Pakistan was unwilling to transfer the power to Awami League they started protests, both violent and non-violent. General Yahya, the then Martial law administrator, started Operation Searchlight to crush protests in East Pakistan. India also got involved in the conflict that led to full fledge war between India and Pakistan. Finally, with failure in Indo-Pak war and military operation, Pakistan also lost its Eastern part and Bangladesh came into being.
Conclusion
In short, the independence of Bangladesh is not anyway related to Two-Nation Theory. East Pakistan became separated because it was not given autonomy; the political and economic rights of Bengalis were curtailed; they were under-represented and under-developed. None of the reasons was the religious or cultural. In fact, the Bengali leaders themselves never demanded separate state under Two-Nation Theory; they demanded their separate state on political and economic grounds rather than cultural or ethnic grounds. Moreover, the separate Muslim majority identity of Bangladesh, the current Muslims’ sufferings in India, and Pakistan’s undeniable reality, proves the ongoing relevance of the Two-Nation Theory. Hence, the separation of East Pakistan was not the structural negation of Two-Nation Theory; it was the political and administrative failure of Pakistan’s leadership.
Important Note for CSS and PMS Aspirants
For aspirants preparing for competitive examinations, exploring solved past papers is essential to understand examiner expectations, analytical answer writing, and paper trends. Therefore, candidates are strongly encouraged to read the following comprehensive solved papers available on CSSPREPFORUM.
- CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers
- CSS Solved Current Affairs Past Papers
- CSS Solved Islamiat Past Papers
- CSS Solved General Science and Ability Past Papers
Moreover, aspirants searching for the most credible and result-oriented teachers for CSS and PMS preparation can benefit from the following detailed guidance articles
- Who is the Best CSS PMS Islamiat Teacher in Pakistan?
- Who is the Best CSS PMS Pakistan Affairs Teacher in Pakistan?
- Who is the Best CSS Current Affairs Teacher in Pakistan?
- Who is the Best CSS GSA Teacher in Pakistan?
- Who is the Best CSS PMS English Essay and Precis Teacher in Pakistan?
- Who is the Best English Grammar Teacher in Pakistan?
