Liberation War PDF

LIBARATION WAR Before the Partition of British India, the Lahore Resolution initially envisaged separate Muslim-majority states in British India's eastern and northwestern zones. A proposal for an independent United Bengal was mooted by Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy in 1946 but opposed by...

LIBARATION WAR Before the Partition of British India, the Lahore Resolution initially envisaged separate Muslim-majority states in British India's eastern and northwestern zones. A proposal for an independent United Bengal was mooted by Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy in 1946 but opposed by the colonial authorities. The East Pakistan Renaissance Society advocated the creation of a sovereign state in eastern British India Language controversy In 1948, Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared that "Urdu, and only Urdu" would be Pakistan's federal language. But Urdu was historically prevalent only in the north, central, and western subcontinent; in East Bengal, the native language was Bengali, one of the two most easterly branches of the Indo- European languages. Bengali speakers constituted over 56% of Pakistan's population and Urdu speakers constituted over 3.37% of Pakistan's population and Disparities Although, East Pakistan had the larger population, West Pakistan dominated the divided country politically and received more money from the common budget Ideological and Cultural Differences In 1947, the Bengali Muslims had identified themselves with Pakistan's Islamic project, but by the 1970s, the people of East Pakistan had given priority to their Bengali ethnicity over their religious identity, desiring a society in accordance with Western principles such as secularism, democracy and socialism. Many Bengali Muslims strongly objected to the Islamist paradigm the Pakistani state imposed Political differences Although East Pakistan accounted for a slight majority of the country's population, political power remained in the hands of West Pakistanis. Since a straightforward system of representation based on population would have concentrated political power in East Pakistan, the West Pakistani establishment came up with the "One Unit" scheme, whereby all of West Pakistan was considered one province. This was solely to counterbalance the East wing's votes Operation Searchlight A planned military pacification carried out by the Pakistan Army—codenamed Operation Searchlight— started on 25 March 1971 to curb the Bengali independence movement by taking control of the major cities on 26 March, and then eliminating all opposition, political or military, within one month. The Pakistani state used anti-Bihari violence by Bengalis in early March to justify Operation Searchlight The two super powers that dominated a largely bipolar world until the early 1990s played a significant role in the liberation war of Bangladesh. United States The US supported Pakistan, providing ammunition and refusing to escalate the conflict in the United Nations Security Council. The US's support was due to its alliance with Pakistan and its interest in cultivating a relationship with China. Soviet Union The Soviet Union supported the Mukti Bahini, providing weapons and diplomatic backing. The Soviet Union recognized that Bangladesh's independence would weaken the position of the US and China India Provided military support and training to the Bengali freedom fighters. India also secured support from the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France in the United Nations Security Council. China Provided moral advocacy to Pakistan. China was preoccupied with other issues, including its deteriorating relationship with the Soviet Union and its efforts to end international isolation The role of the United States in 1971 1. Strategic Alliance with Pakistan: The U.S. valued Pakistan as a key ally in South Asia to counter Soviet influence and facilitate diplomatic ties with China. This relationship influenced its stance on the Liberation War. 2. Continued Military Aid: Despite reports of violence in East Pakistan, the Nixon administration continued to supply Pakistan with military aid, which was used against the Bangladeshi independence movement. 3. Resistance within the U.S. Government: U.S. officials like Archer Blood, then-consul in Dhaka, openly condemned the atrocities, labeling them "genocide," but their reports were largely dismissed by Washington. 4. Public and Advocacy Group Support for Bangladesh: American citizens, activists, and advocacy groups rallied to support the Bangladeshi cause, organizing protests and campaigns to spread awareness about the humanitarian crisis. 5. Global and Domestic Pressure: International media coverage and domestic outcry added pressure on the U.S. government, contributing to global awareness and support for Bangladesh’s independence despite the official U.S. policy favoring Pakistan. The role of Soviet Union in1971 1. Support for India and Bangladesh: The Soviet Union provided strong diplomatic support to India, aligning with its stance on Bangladesh’s independence and condemning Pakistan’s actions in East Pakistan. 2. Strategic Treaty with India: In August 1971, the Soviet Union and India signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation, ensuring mutual support, which deterred other powers from intervening. 3.Military Assistance: The Soviet Union supplied military equipment and intelligence to India, strengthening its position in the conflict and aiding the Bengali liberation forces indirectly. 4. UN Vetoes in Support of Bangladesh: The Soviet Union used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block resolutions that sought to intervene in favor of Pakistan, helping India and Bangladesh diplomatically. 5. Post-war Aid: After Bangladesh’s independence, the Soviet Union extended economic and technical assistance, supporting the new nation in rebuilding its infrastructure and economy. The role of India in1971 1. Political Support for Bangladesh: India provided early and strong political support for Bangladesh’s independence, condemning Pakistan’s actions in East Pakistan and highlighting the humanitarian crisis on global platforms. 2. Military Intervention: In December 1971, after months of escalating tensions and an influx of refugees, India intervened militarily to support the Mukti Bahini forces, decisively aiding in the liberation effort. 3.Training and Arming Freedom Fighters: India trained and equipped the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters), providing logistical and tactical support crucial for their operations against Pakistani forces. 4. Humanitarian Assistance: India faced a massive influx of over 10 million refugees from East Pakistan, which strained resources but galvanized further support for Bangladesh’s independence. 5. Victory and Diplomatic Recognition: India’s military and diplomatic efforts led to a swift victory and the subsequent recognition of Bangladesh as an independent nation, becoming the first country to officially recognize the new state. The role of China in1971: 1. Support for Pakistan: China, a close ally of Pakistan, supported its territorial integrity and opposed Bangladesh’s independence, viewing it through the lens of its own strategic interests and regional alliances. 2. Opposition to Indian Intervention: China was critical of India’s support for the Bangladeshi independence movement and military intervention, viewing it as a threat to regional balance and its ally, Pakistan. 3. Diplomatic Efforts in the UN: China backed Pakistan in the United Nations, opposing resolutions that supported Bangladesh’s cause and advocating for Pakistan’s position on the international stage. 5. Post-war Relations: After Bangladesh’s independence, China initially withheld recognition but eventually acknowledged Bangladesh in 1975, as its strategic priorities in South Asia evolved.= Why India support to Bangladesh in 1971? Geo-politics in Asia Conflict with China  Border Disputes  The 1962 War The border dispute escalated into a full-scale war in 1962, resulting in a Chinese victory and the occupation of Aksai Chin by China. This war established the LAC, an informal demarcation that has since remained contentious. Regional Influence and Strategic Rivalry