How India created Bangladesh & lessons for Sri Lanka
Posted on March 25th, 2012
Shenali Waduge
With a population of 1.2billion living across a landmass of 2973190 square kilometers there is no denying IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s power. Yet, if not for its inferiority we cannot comprehend why India would desire to adopt a consistent policy and go to great lengths to destabilize each of its neighbors whilst pretending to be their friend. Diplomacy is one thing but to know that men and material are being used to destroy a neighboring nation simply does not justify any of the excuses India gives purely to deceive the masses and gain international prestige for itself.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The example of Bangladesh is perfect to describe the birth of Indian intelligence agency RAW tasked to partition Pakistan & create Bangladesh in 1971. It was in 1947 that 2 different countries was created ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Pakistan & India. Muslims were divided into 2 countries bearing 2 different nationalities. West Pakistan was dominated by PunjabiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s while East Pakistan was the home to Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis & Mohajirs.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What we are taught to believe is that Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibar Rehman resented political power vested with West Pakistan elite & had formed the Awami League demanding autonomy for East Pakistan & though he won the 1970 general election he was put in jail leading to the Bangladesh Liberation War which created Bangladesh. A missing piece in this incident is the role IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s intelligence played.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ By creating Bangladesh, India also created an enemy in Pakistan. No formal ties will erase the hate Pakistan has against India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The resentment of East Pakistan towards West Pakistan was triggered by none other than IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s RAW using the card of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-discriminationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ similar to what they used against the Sinhalese by the Tamils.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What India eventually did was to protect Awami League leaders, train & armed the insurgents which ultimately led to the disintegration of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Bangladesh breakup according to B. RamanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s book ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Kaoboys of R&AWƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ the break up of East Pakistan was carried out in 2 phases by Indira Gandhi & the RAW. Phase 1 was coordinated by Kao and phase 2 by Field Marshal Sham Manekshaw. RAW trained & supplied arms to Bengali anti-Pakistan militants. Indira Gandhi was given bugged conversations of top Pakistani officials. RAW had even funded Mujibur RahmanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s general election in 1970 & trained & armed the Mukti Bahini that RAW officers set up using Bengali refugees. How many illegal refugees do we have in Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the people that our army rescued and what is their role like to be in future unless checked. Is it not for this reason that India insists on demilitarizing the North?
RAW continued its presence in Bangladesh even after the latters independence by training Chakma tribes & Shanti Bahini to carry out subversive activities in Bangladesh.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Similar to how India forcefully made Sri Lanka sign the Indo-Lanka Agreement & make constitutional changes, India put forward a 7point agreement prior to Indian army overrunning the Pakistan army in just 2 weeks to create Bangladesh after obtaining a security guarantee from former Soviet Union in case of American interference. That 7 point plan included the following:
- Bangladesh Government had to select only those who participated in the liberation war to its administrative posts & shortfalls had to be filled by Indian officials.
- Joint force comprising Indian army & Mukti Bahini under the command of Indian Army chief to lead the liberation war.
- Bangladesh to have no standing army.
- India to raise paramilitary force to protect internal law & order of Bangladesh.
- Open market subject to periodical reviews.
- Indian army to be stationed indefinitely in BangladeshƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
- BangladeshƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s foreign policy to be determined only in consultation with India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is how India strategically trapped Bangladesh who was taught to think that it owed India for liberating it. India went on to tie Bangladesh further by signing a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-25 year friendship treatyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ which further strangulated any desire for liberty on the part of Bangladesh. In short Bangladesh could not do anything without the concurrence of India. Thus, India made sure that Bangladesh was nothing but IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s poodle.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Yet a military coup took place in 1975 against corruption & dissolving of Parliament to create a one party rule. The new government commenced ties with China, USA, Europe & Middle East to diminish Indian influence with resulted in further Indian angst.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Bangladesh like Sri Lanka is important for India because it is a strategic corridor between India & North East. Bangladesh also provides a bridge between SAARC & ASEAN nations and is a key marine resource provider. Its sea ports are important for trade as China is also aware. In short Bangladesh is the most cost effective route for India to import gas from Myanmar.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Similar to some of the antics India pulls upon Sri Lanka has been what Bangladesh experienced when it attempted to break away from Indian influence. Border disputes are issues which India defers to solve much like what Sri Lanka is experiencing with Tamil Nadu fishermen. Then there is IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s border security & deployment of navy near South TalpattyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as well as IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s support towards secessionist movements in Chittagong Hill Tracks going so far as to provide money & arms. IsnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t this what India did in Sri Lanka?
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As in Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s case, India keeps using its media to invent fictitious stories about how both Sri Lanka & Bangladesh are a threat to IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s security interests to pressurize these Governments into functioning according to Indian dictates.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Bangladesh nor Sri Lanka can adapt a single strategy to deal with a country as large as India unless the neighbors tie together against India. All the SAARC nations have experienced IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s backstabbing techniques. It hired the LTTE to storm Maldives & then pretended to save Maldives. More recently India has sided with the US to oust President Nasheed & install a puppet leader. There was also rumors of an LTTE plot to kill BangladeshƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Sheikh Hasina in 1999 for a paymentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of $10m. It does all types of activities to keep Nepal from developing & the list goes on.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s case what first angered India appears to have been the Sri Lankan GovernmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s decision to allow refueling facilities to PakistanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s civil & military aircraft & ships during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. India was also angered when Sri Lanka permitted Israel to establish intelligence presence and Sri Lanka permitted Voice of America to be installed on the island. These have been called the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-irritantsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ that translated into the Indira Doctrine and Sri Lanka becoming the target of RAWƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s destabilizing policy.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This surely must mean that India can be charged for state funded terrorism because with RAWƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s supervision camps were set up in Tamil Nadu, former RAQ trainers were re-employed to train Tamil militant groups at centers in Gunda & Gorakhpur.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The covert operation in Sri Lanka found the RAW taking the situation into its own hand by contravening its foreign policy & former Indian High Commissioner is said to have even accused RAW of giving 10m rupees to LTTE.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ With RAW mandated to destabilize Sri Lanka, it went on to build up EPRLF, ENDLF to create further dissent by challenging the LTTE as well. Today, you may not see them but one can be sure there are plenty of RAW officers around even in the suburbs. How long can India hide that India trained Prabakaran & the LTTE? ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ With all this knowledge if Sri Lanka is going to think that India will say ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-We like you better than Bangladesh or Pakistan and we wont do anything harmful ever to our neighborƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” we donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t deserve to be called sovereign!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ India may like to forget what it did to Sri Lanka because India now stands to gain by exerting diplomatic pressures and using its media to reverse its own guilt but the people of Sri Lanka know better even if the political leaders of Sri Lanka are gullible to all the lies & deceits of India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s leaders must never forget is that the entire drama revolving around Geneva was primarily to lay the foundation to oust the present Government from power. In such a scenario all the pressures being exerted is primarily targeting Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s political leaderships and if they are naƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚¯ve enough to forgive, forget and carry on caring less about safeguarding the country even the people are likely to loose faith. This is exactly what these foreign intelligence agencies currently in Sri Lanka are attempting to achieve. What a pity it would be if our leaders carve out their own ruin & take the country with them.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Yet, it is still not too late and the people of Sri Lanka will back leaders who can do what they achieved in 2009 in a new twist to terrorism coming from the diplomatic front to usurp the sovereignty of our nation.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Over to you for action, Mr. President.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:49 am
So we thought the government was lame?
Lanka warns India of repercussion over Kashmir
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka on Saturday warned India of possible repercussions over Held Kashmir after it voted for a US resolution in Geneva on rights abuses during its war on the Tamil Tigers.
Government spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said some countries or groups might use the vote on Sri Lanka as precedence to bring a similar resolution on India over the Kashmir dispute, Xinhua reported.
Sri Lanka was, however, mindful that India acted as a result of immense pressure from Tamil political parties, Abeywardena, the acting media minister, told a public meeting.
Much to the disappointment of Colombo, India was among 24 countries which voted in support of the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday.
Fifteen countries voted against and eight abstained.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has warned that countries which voted for the resolution would have to worry about consequences of terrorism.
The Sri Lankan President commended the 15 countries which voted against ‘the anti-Lanka resolution for their support’ and the eight nations which abstained in the 47-member UNHRC. Countries which voted against Sri Lanka would have to be concerned about consequences, he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, in an apparent move to reach out to Sri Lanka and cool down passions against India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday wrote to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, telling him that India made all efforts and succeeded in introducing an ‘element of balance’ in the US-sponsored resolution at UNHCR. Singh also stressed the need for achieving a lasting political settlement to address the grievances of minority Tamils in Lanka.
Singh wrote to Rajapaksa, “Your Excellency would be aware that we spared no effort and were successful in introducing an element of balance in the language of the resolution.” Though India voted in favour of the resolution, it worked behind the scenes to tweak the document to make it ‘non-intrusive’, the letter claimed. “It is our conviction that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would lead towards a lasting political settlement on many of these issues and create conditions in which all citizens of Sri Lanka, irrespective of their ethnicity, can find justice, dignity, equality and self-respect,” Singh said.
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/25-Mar-2012/lanka-warns-india-of-repercussion-over-kashmir
March 25th, 2012 at 4:16 am
Indian imperialists were involved in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) long before 1948. Jaffna Youth Congress was formed around early 20th century (may be 1020s). The first Socialist collective in the island nation and it was instigated by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the world’s most celebrated Indian colonial parasite.
SWRD was financed by India and Indian colonial parasites in the island nation. These are the events that lead to the demise of the non Indians of the island nation. I want readers to think about what I say with an open mind.
Long before the end of the British Empire Indians like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jawahalal Nehru and Chandra Bose recognized what India is going to get after the end of the British Empire.
India is heavily involved in the former British dominions and have been very successful. Look at Uganda, when Idi Anmin stood up to the Indian colonists he was castrated by Indian imperialists. Mauritius is technically a part of India and the plight of local Creoles are what the non Indians in Sri Lanka will get.
Those who contributes to this site and live in the West should speak to these people to understand their plight at home.
Fiji is in trouble and it is another Indian job like UNHRC resolution against Ceylon.
Fools say India acted under immense pressure from Tamil Nadu. What a load of SHi- from Indian apologists.
India killed thousands of Kashmirians and were buried in Mass graves. It is a daily occurrence the killing of civilians by the Indian military butchers.
In April 2011, 60 odd civilians were butchered by the Indian Military. Indian Hindus are colonialism the Muslim Kashmir.
It is time to decolonize Indian colonies.
March 25th, 2012 at 4:16 am
Indian imperialists were involved in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) long before 1948. Jaffna Youth Congress was formed around early 20th century (may be 1020s). The first Socialist collective in the island nation and it was instigated by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the world’s most celebrated Indian colonial parasite.
SWRD was financed by India and Indian colonial parasites in the island nation. These are the events that lead to the demise of the non Indians of the island nation. I want readers to think about what I say with an open mind.
Long before the end of the British Empire Indians like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jawahalal Nehru and Chandra Bose recognized what India is going to get after the end of the British Empire.
India is heavily involved in the former British dominions and have been very successful. Look at Uganda, when Idi Anmin stood up to the Indian colonists he was castrated by Indian imperialists. Mauritius is technically a part of India and the plight of local Creoles are what the non Indians in Sri Lanka will get.
Those who contributes to this site and live in the West should speak to these people to understand their plight at home.
Fiji is in trouble and it is another Indian job like UNHRC resolution against Ceylon.
Fools say India acted under immense pressure from Tamil Nadu. What a load of SHi- from Indian apologists.
India killed thousands of Kashmirians and were buried in Mass graves. It is a daily occurrence the killing of civilians by the Indian military butchers.
In April 2011, 60 odd civilians were butchered by the Indian Military. Indian Hindus are colonialism the Muslim Kashmir.
It is time to decolonize Indian colonies.
March 25th, 2012 at 8:24 am
We can not stop what India wants to do. But, we can control what India is doing. Tamils are the common factor. Every country in the world, at present every Western country does that, has a plan to integrate and assimilate migrants to their society. Sri Lanka did not have a such a plan. The major reason is Sri Lanka has lived only about 60 years since we adopted the western method of “democracy” as the governing strategy.
Western and “New” Countries know how to increase their economic power by increasing population without considerable disintegration to the major culture.
March 25th, 2012 at 8:32 am
I think the countries ending in “STHANS around India are former states of Maha Bharatha. I think, India also has the same desire to build major block which are partial or friendly to the central state around India.
Only thing is Sri Lanka has to find our own niche in that scheme. There is no point of fighting against it or complaining.
But, what our Sri Lankan leaders do. Do they have any long term visions for Sri Lanka ? At least do they do their best to use the resources we have. None.
They all are fighting for the top post or for Cabinet positions because that is where wealth and prestige are. Those who have all those are doing their best to establish dynasties and to root it with strong foundation.
March 26th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Shenali makes a good case of the dangers Sri Lanka faces from Indian interference in Sri Lanka’s internal politics, for example the IMPOSITION of the 13th Amendment and large sub-national Provincial Council entities with DEVOLVED POWERS. The following statements by Chandrakanthan arrogating to the Provinces power to merge two provinces augurs ill for Sri Lanka.
Can Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province decide whether to MERGE with the Northern Province … ALL BY ITSELF?
The National Government of Sri Lanka, and the citizens of ALL OTHER PROVINCES of Sri Lanka, HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE MERGER? NOTHING?
This ILLUSTRATES the danger posed by setting up Provincial Councils as semi-autonomous fiefdoms to the national integrity of Sri Lanka. They are TOO LARGE, and HAVE TOO MANY POWERS!
They ALREADY BEHAVE as if they WERE INDEPENDENT Sovereign Nations!
That is why I advocate REPEALING the 13th Amendment, DISSOLVING ALL Provincial Councils in favor of SMALLER DISTRICTS reporting DIRECTLY to the National Government.
GOSL … Please take Note!
…………..
People of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province must decide on merging and North and East – Chief Minister
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Mar 25, Colombo: Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan says the people in the East would have to decide on whether or not to merge the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Chandrakanthan has said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) cannot make any decision with regard to merging the North and East.
Addressing a public rally in Vavunathivu, the Chief Minister has said the political leadership in the North was not concerned about the people in the North and has isolated the people in the East.
He has noted that the East would not be able to develop as it has in the past few years if the North and East were merged.
He has added that as a former member of the LTTE, nothing was achieved except destruction.
According to Chandrakanthan, the TNA has not responded to a statement made by him expressing desire to discuss a political settlement with them.
Therefore, he has said the Eastern Provincial Council would continue to work for the betterment of the people in the East and it would be the people in the East who have to decide on a merger of the two provinces in future.
March 26th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Shenali,
You said “West Pakistan was dominated by Punjabi’s while East Pakistan was the home to Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis & Mohajirs” but that is not quite correct.
I am sure you meant to say:
WEST Pakistan, now Pakistan, is dominated by Punjabis = 78.7 million (45%), and is also home to Pashtuns = 27.2 million (15%), Sindhis = 24.8 million (14%), Seraikis = 14.8 million (8.4%), Muhajirs = 13.3 million (7.6%), Baloch = 6.3 million (3.5%) and Others = 11.1 million (4.66%)
while EAST Pakistan, now Bangladesh, is home to Bengalis (98%).
I am sure this is a typographical mistake