By KARTIK LOKHANDE :
Fifty years in the past, on December 16, 1971, the signing of the historic Instrument of Surrender paved means for the delivery of a brand new nation Bangladesh. Soon, the world’s map modified. The area’s geography modified. As years handed by, geopolitical scenario developed, throwing open a plethora of points that having a bearing on the regional dynamics. In the Swarnim Vijay Varsh, it turns into related to try Bangladesh’s evolution previously 50 years and what it means for India, which had performed a very powerful function in liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Once the Indian Armed Forces in live performance with ‘Mukti Bahini’ had received the warfare, and dirt settled down, ‘Bangapita’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was on the helm of affairs of the newly born nation. He strongly favoured secularism. However, inside just a few years, he was assassinated. What adopted was mayhem. Then got here a stage, when Bangladesh led by General Zia-ur-Rehman, ushered in an period of army dictatorship and accorded significance to faith. He, too, was assassinated. His successor Lt Gen Husain Muhammad Ershad declared Islam because the State faith. Since then, there may be lack of readability on whether or not Bangladesh as a nation has secularism or Islam as its core thought. As a outcome, typically, there’s a conflict of ideologies inside Bangladesh.
■ Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Founding Father of Bangladesh who served as the primary President and later because the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
This is one of the foremost points simmering inside Bangladesh. The existence of radical elements in social, cultural, and political life impacts not solely Bangladesh but additionally the area together with India with which it shares border that’s porous at locations. The assaults on minorities in Bangladesh creates ripples in India. One can take the most recent instance of assaults on Hindus in Bangladesh, discovering echoes in Tripura state of India, after which rumours of vandalisation sparking additional communal tensions in several elements of India. One may also take the instance of tens of 1000’s taking to streets in Bangladesh final yr towards France, which had peeved a number of Islamic nations. These two current incidents communicate volumes in regards to the evolution of Bangladesh previously 50 years. Of course, given the import of the incidents, regional powers like India must be at all times watchful and train warning. The refugee inflow that began from erstwhile East Pakistan into Indian States of Assam and Tripura as a precursor to 1971 warfare between India and Pakistan, has turn out to be a legacy challenge now for India. In reality, in each these Indian States, Bangladeshi inflow grew to become an election challenge.
Assam noticed violent motion construct up towards the ‘outsiders’ grabbing native assets. Even after 50 years since 1971, the inflow of Bangladeshis into India is an actual challenge.The points regarding grant of citizenship to Bangladeshi migrants is usually crop up and turn out to be a matter of political debate and social tensions. One main motive for inflow is porosity of an extended border, by means of which individuals can come and go. There are locations the place peopleto-folks join throughout the border could be very deep and emotional. However, porosity of border at locations has confirmed to be a possibility for cross-border smugglers of stolen autos, cattles, cough syrups (!), a form of narcotics tablets regionally generally known as ‘Yaba’, and even human trafficking and circulation of faux Indian forex notes. In the current previous, Rohingyas added to the concerns of Bangladesh, and their spillover made many skeptical in India. Of course, these increase safety issues for each the international locations. Over the years, after a number of rounds of negotiations by means of testing instances, India and Bangladesh did signal a historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
Though a lot progress has been made, the trade of enclaves is but to be absolutely accomplished. For, at some locations, the border between the 2 international locations passes by means of a farm, or by means of a pond. There is a spot, the place a coconut tree is rooted in a single nation, and its fruit falls overseas! Strange as they might sound, however these are actual points that delay the method of plugging the porousness of the border. These points not solely pose safety challenges, but additionally have social and financial implications. Since creation of Bangladesh, India and Bangladesh each have been shut pals, barring just a few disturbing interludes. Especially, previously few years, the bond has grown stronger, with the Governments of India and Bangladesh having fun with the most effective-ever pleasant ties at varied ranges — safety, diplomacy, artwork and tradition, Government, training, agriculture, textile, power, river water sharing, enterprise, and regional co-operation. India’s Border Security Force and Border Guards of Bangladesh have been performing upon a Comprehensive Border Management Plan. To give additional enhance to ties, each the international locations have signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding to sort out completely different points starting from human trafficking to smuggling, and likewise growing cross-border commerce. On cultural entrance, there exists a deep bond amongst folks of each the international locations. In reality, the depth of the bond could be gauged from the truth that the nationwide anthem of India and Bangladesh each has been penned by Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. ‘Rabindra Sangeet’ in addition to ‘Nazrul Geeti’ are nonetheless in style on either side of the border.
Bengali literature, theatre, songs, films, poetry, music, delicacies, conventional costumes nonetheless bond folks. On commerce entrance too, each the international locations are trusted companions of one another. In reality, Bangladesh is one of the most important commerce companions of India in South Asia. India has at all times appreciated the way in which Bangladesh’s financial system has made progress, particularly compared with Pakistan, which has earned the doubtful distinction of a failed State. But, there are forces that don’t just like the folks-to-folks join and infrequently act to drive a wedge between communities over one or the opposite provocation. One should respect the current regime in Bangladesh headed by Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of ‘Bangapita’ Mujibur Rahman, for upholding the ideas of democracy and attempting her greatest to rein in radical forces. Otherwise, the scenario may need been very tough not solely inside Bangladesh but additionally within the Indian sub-continent. What is required within the bigger curiosity of regional peace and spirit of collaboration is deepening of ties particularly within the space of combating terrorism and hegemonistic plans of the international locations like China which are on the market to lure smaller international locations right into a debt entice and make them fall in place in her expansionist designs.
One can’t deny the existence of elements who’re nonetheless offended on the defeat of ‘West Pakistan’ by the hands of India in 1971 and creation of Bangladesh. These elements typically act as collaborators, if not perpetrators, of terrorist actions. Such forces inimical to the pursuits of each the international locations are working subcutaneously and drawing nefarious designs like ‘Brihat Bangladesh’ elevating issues particularly in India. To counter such designs, India and Bangladesh should bond extra carefully and mature the safety co-operation into Defense and Intelligence sharing collaboration. Both the international locations should strengthen folks-to-folks join by means of deepening cultural exchanges. In the previous 50 years, the connection between India and Bangladesh has had two key phrases — warning and co-operation. Deepening of belief and safeguarding not solely every others’ pursuits but additionally of the area as a complete, will pave means for a shared brighter and safer future for each the international locations for no less than subsequent 50 years.
