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Remembering Dhaka Fall: 53 years on  


Marking the end of a turbulent chapter for Pakistan, the creation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, often recalled as the Fall of Dhaka, remains alive as a core memory for the first and second generation Pakistanis. 

The event highlighted the complexities of nation-building, ethnic tensions, and external interference, aspects being navigated by the country today as well albeit through a myopic lens. 

While Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a united nation with Urdu as a binding linguistic force, the Bengali-speaking people of East Pakistan felt increasingly alienated, given the population and their struggles towards an independent Pakistan. Despite holding prominent positions within Pakistan’s government and military, Bengali leaders felt disenfranchised due to the centralisation of power in West Pakistan.

Also read: Around 1,500 killed in Bangladesh protests that ousted PM Hasina

The situation worsened after the 1970 elections when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won a landslide victory but was denied power by the ruling authorities in West Pakistan. The Indian-backed Mukti Bahini, a separatist group in East Pakistan, played a significant role, something it continues to do within independent Bangladesh as well. 

While the forces actions during the operation have been heavily criticised, it becomes important to examine the context and scale of these allegations. Numerous reports of atrocities were circulated in international media, with claims of three million Bengalis being killed. As it is with history, the actual toll is often disputed suggesting that the deceased were between 50000 and 100,000.

Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government, backed by InThe loss of East Pakistan was not just a territorial setback; it was a blow to the country’s identity and its ambitions for unity.

Also read: Former Bangladesh PM, Khaleda Zia, acquitted in corruption case

In the decades following the war, Pakistan has worked hard to recover from the trauma of 1971, and the tragedy also shaped Pakistan’s foreign policy, particularly its relationship with India, which continues to be a source of tension. While acknowledging its internal failures, Pakistan also emphasises the external factors that contributed to the crisis.

Turning to Art for Solace

Following the tragedy of Dhaka Fall, Pakistani poets also turned to pen their grief with three poems often regarded as reminders of the pain and atonement. 

Hum k Thehre Ajnabi – Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Faiz’s poem appears to be about a bitter end of a love affair, marked by the abrupt transition from intimacy to estrangement. But Faiz lamenting the suddenness of the separation, the unfulfilled promises, and the lingering questions that remain unanswered was about the separation from East Pakistan. Hum k Thehre Ajnabi delves into the pain of loss, the longing for reconciliation, and the hope for a future where the wounds of the past can heal. It is a poignant reflection on the fragility of human relationships and the enduring power of love, even in the face of heartbreak.

Woh Humsafar Tha – Naseer Turabi

Undoubtedly one of the most famous tracks in the past many years owing to the vocals of Qurat-ul-Aim Baloch for Hum TV drama Humsafar, Woh Humsafar Tha by Naseer Turabi was also on Fall of Dhaka. While many young people may think of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the poem looks at a mark of bitterness and disillusionment as a result of the war. The final imagery, where the poet’s own poetry is reflected in the lover’s eyes, suggests a shared creative bond and a deep understanding that transcends the pain of separation.

Jaag Meray Punjab – Habib Jalib

A passionate call to action against the decline of Pakistan, the major theme of Jaag Meray Punjab is warning about the nation’s deteriorating condition, characterised by political oppression, social injustice, and a loss of hope. The poet had urged the people of Punjab to awaken from their slumber and resist the forces that are eroding the country’s foundations, in the wake of the war which led to the creation of Bangladesh. 

The poem highlights various issues, including the suffering of other marginalised provinces like, the suppression of dissent, and the erosion of democratic values. It expresses deep concern over the increasing violence and the loss of life, as well as the environmental degradation that is affecting the country.

Ultimately, the poem continues to be a plea for unity, resistance, and a return to the ideals upon which Pakistan was founded. It serves as a reminder that the future of the nation depends on the collective effort of its citizens to overcome the challenges.

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