In her book "The Struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim Homeland and Global Politics," Ayesha Jalal discusses Gen Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, who took over as president of Pakistan in March 1969, imposing martial law after Gen Ayub Khan's departure due to street protests. Yahya's behavior, including drinking and partying, was widely known. He is also remembered for overseeing two significant events: the 1970 elections and the subsequent massacre in East Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. He played a pivotal role in both occurrences. Although Yahya was not the sole figure behind the events of 1970-71, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also had crucial roles.
The late 1960s saw contradictions arising from the capitalist logic of the Decade of Development under an authoritarian military state, fueling regional, social, economic, and political discontent that led to Ayub Khan's resignation in Pakistan's first popular uprising.
In West Pakistan, Baloch and Pakhtun nationalists sought to end the One Unit, while Bhutto led students, the working class, and emerging middle classes against Ayub. Despite some claims of an imminent socialist revolution, Bhutto's emergence as a voice against military authoritarianism in West Pakistan was significant.
In East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujib's Six-Point Programme for democracy and provincial autonomy gained momentum, positioning him as the main voice of Bengali nationalism as Ayub's rule ended. Although some Bengali voices challenged Pakistan's unity, Mujib still favored a united, democratic, federal Pakistan.
Led by charismatic leaders who had experienced years of military rule, Yahya Khan announced elections for October 1970, dismantling the One Unit and allocating 162 seats in a parliament of 300 to the majority province based on population.
Yahya imposed martial law upon taking power, and the military and bureaucracy influenced political parties to test their popularity. Reports from military intelligence suggesting that no single party would win a majority in parliament influenced Yahya's decision for elections. However, a devastating cyclone in November 1970 in East Pakistan disrupted the elections and sealed the fate of Pakistan.
The 1970 election results confirmed fears of East Pakistan's majority population resulting in a majority of seats from that region. Sheikh Mujib's Awami League won a majority in East Pakistan, and Bhutto's Pakistan People’s Party dominated West Pakistan. Notably, neither of the major parties won seats in the other region, leading to a divided Pakistan.
The period following the elections until the military operations revealed the clash between West Pakistani politicians' egos and the military's incompetence in addressing political issues. A different outcome might have been possible if the military-bureaucratic leadership had honored the election results.
Operation Searchlight, launched in March 1971, marked the beginning of severe military actions in East Pakistan, showcasing the failure of political leadership and military understanding. India eventually intervened, leading to the creation of Bangladesh in December 1971.
The events leading to the separation of East Pakistan were a culmination of various factors, including political miscalculations, military actions, and external influences. The writer points out that while India played a role in the breakup, it exploited existing domestic conditions.
In the aftermath of 1971, issues of centralization, regionalism, and accountability persisted, despite democracy's resurgence. The writer emphasizes that lessons from the past should be learned to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
