Why 14th of August?

Its often a remark in passing that ignites curiosity and instigates one to think deeply and separate myth from facts and common beliefs from the truth that lies buried under self-serving propaganda. Also, there is always a third dimension which many of us are unable to see because of the blinders of patriotism that we tend to wear. It is always them and never us who are wrong, injudicious or condemnable. It does not surprise me to see religious people waging wars against each other with the belief that the religion or a sect they happen to be born into is the true and the only logical one. Same goes for the countries. The much-used adage relating scoundrels to patriotism is scoffed at even by some of the literati. The ruling clique has always used shields of culture, religion and patriotism to deflect criticism from those seeking change in the status quo.

I read a brief comment somewhere on Bangladeshis being the originators of Muslim League and them being the true driving force in the creation of Pakistan. I began to remember that Bengalis were larger in numbers, originators of Muslim League who voted en mass for the party while the Muslim vote bank on the western side of the subcontinent was split among the Unionists, ’red shirts,’ religious parties, regional groups, sardars and nawabs. A sad but well known fact that never ceases to amaze is that our chest-thumping, self-righteous maulanas were opposed to the very concept of Pakistan. Aside from them, we are still grappling with a few at home and abroad, in the north-west and south-west who have a difference of opinion with the central government, an unthinkable act in a truly Islamic state.

The claim of shedding blood for the creation of Pakistan was nothing but a tit for tat between Sikhs and Muslims of northern Punjab. The term mohajir has been monopolized by those who came over safely to the most prosperous city of the country much after 14th of August. They still filter in seeking better opportunities as people have done throughout history.

Bengalis, whom we condescendingly called East Pakistanis, not only made up the numbers in the vote counting at the crucial juncture but also provided the only source of foreign exchange through export of jute at the initial stage of our nationhood. Therefore, considering the norms of democracy and fair play, should we not have let them keep the name Pakistan when we got rid of them by force and connivance?

I asked this pertinent question of how we wangled away the joint national assets and the name, to a scholarly friend who is an unchallenged authority on our national history. He thought, paused, scratched his head, cleared his throat and answered pensively that we snatched the country from East Pakistanis on the day Ghulam Mohammed was sworn in as Governor General. Our valiant defenders of the borders made sure from there on that they would save the name of the country, if not its original entity.

Someone enlighten me: Should we celebrate 14th of August as the day our country came into existence or the day in December when we shed off the commonly perceived ‘miserable half’ and became truly, one independent country without being hyphenated as West-Pakistan? Surely you have read of the dissection of the word Pakistan as representing different letters from the names of the present four provinces -- never a mention of Bengal -- that make up the country in its present form.

The other arguments in support of us retaining the name can presumably be better presented by the distinguished Sharif uddin Pirzada or late Justice Munir: We had the federal capital here, people from this side made up the armed forces, bureaucracy, the neo-industrialists, slogan mongering intellectuals and seasoned politicians. It was the Bengalis who felt deprived, exploited and wanted freedom from the bond.

We have a stronger claim on this pious name also for the obvious reason that we inserted “Islamic” in the make up of the new identity with the hope of wooing richer countries of the same faith. So its not just Pakistan anymore but Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to be precise. Our claim to be the citadel of Islam does not end with the name only. Every mujahid who ever blew up a train, airplane and a building or intended to do so has roots in this country, been educated in one of our countless madrassas, or at least made a visit prior to taking up the noble cause. But we train and test them at home by allowing them to kill their fellow citizens before letting them venture out to alien lands. Our system of government is also compliant with what is prevailing in the Muslim World – common citizens are mere subjects. We are geographically closer to other ’stans’ with a mouthwatering possibility of forming a grand confederation to gain much out of their naiveté and natural resources.

I could go on forever justifying why we kept the name of Pakistan for ourselves and did not share that with our eastern brethren. I am, however, quite content with calling my motherland Pakistan regardless of how pak we may or may not be. I do, however, have a minor objection to celebrating the Independence Day in accordance with the Christian Calendar. Why should we not celebrate it in the true Islamic way as we do Eid; linked to the lunar calendar if not the Hijra?

These were the ponderings of a mere peasant whose patriotism becomes doubtful when he observes all that is happening in this blessed land. For those of you who are erudite, intellectuals and scholarly, I present an interesting piece passed on to me by my dear friend Abdur Rehman Mian:

Tonto and the Lone Ranger stop in a desert for the night. After they get their tent set up both men fall into deep sleep. Tonto wakes up Lone Ranger after a few hours and says, “Kemo Sabe, look up towards the sky. What do you see?”

Lone Ranger replies,” I see millions of stars”.

“What that tell you?” asks Tonto.

Lone Ranger ponders for a few minutes and answers,” Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, its approximately quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, its evident that Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Tonto?”

Tonto is silent for a moment and then says, "Kemo Sabe, you are dumber than horse shit. It means someone stole our tent.”