Any nation gets independence which starts with geographic freedomand later is supposed to stretch to other areas of freedom like freedom of speech, economic freedom and what not. But after independence is gained, majority group ( majority in terms of religion, race, caste or ethnicity) within most nations try to be contented with geographic definition of independence and in many cases the throat of the minoritygroup (minority in terms of religion, race, caste or ethnicity) is cut off if conflict regarding their autonomy or independence ever arise. What is "Autonomy" or "Independence" to deprived, oppressed minority is "Terrorism" or "Separation Conspiracy" to the majority within the same sovereign land like what is "six "to one is "nine" to other.
Our independence story had its beginning in British period. In 1947, the British government had agreed to leave Indian subcontinent by demarcating specially India and Pakistan based on muslim and Hindu majority. We remember the name of Khudiram, Pritilota, Master Da Surjosen in relation to our independence from the British empire.
We are grateful to those heros who lay down their lives and were leveled as "Terrorists" by the British Empire only for the sake of independence of Indian Subcontinent. However, there is also other side of the coin that tried to explain that it is not for these heros necessarily but because of pressure of 2nd world war that compelled the British Empire to come into agreement with U.S.A. so that they would leave Indian Subcontinent by declaring their independence provided England will be safeguarded from German aggression under Adlof Hitler.
That does not mean that our heros sacrifice ended in failure. If myrtarslike Khudiram, Pritilota, Master Da would not have sacrificed their lives, the question of independence of Indian Subcontinent had not been raised by US block in their discussion as a relevant point with England. It is true that US blocks ambitious plan was to establish financial organizations to dictate the zones financially by giving them political freedom afterfreeing the Indian subcontinent from British Empire. This is probably neo-colonialism which Indian Writers like R K Narayan tried to depict in their writings.
Then we became part of Pakistan with the name as East Pakistan. The Pakistan government lacking common sense tried to establish Urdu as uniform language for whole Pakistan. This was first time East Pakistan had started to feel that it would be impossible to continue with West Pakistan only based on religious uniformity.What was autonomy or independence claim to us was separation conspiracy or terrorism to Pakistan. To recover from one mistake they did another which ultimately helped us to establish an independent nation named Bangladesh by getting rid of the oppression of Pakistan.
There is a diplomatic rumor by Pro-Pakistan block that Indira Gandhi once told that her father had wishes to separate East Pakistan from West Pakistan and she successfully executed this to strengthen Indian sovereignty. We need not bother on thinking how much independence of Bangladesh was part of diplomatic plan of India since any nation's independence may be the outcome of diplomatic victory of one nation over others but we are grateful to India to help us for independence.
However, Independence is a relative term since always "Might is Right" and world is always Machiavellian (opportunistic) here to decide if it is a movement for "Independence" or "Terrorism/Separation".What was Tamil liberation movement was a terrorist movement for Srilankan Government. What is independence for Katalonia is considered conspiracy for separation by Spain. What is claimed as independence for Jummu Kashmir is considereda Pro-Pakistan conspiracy from Indian side (Kargil battle was the last).
What is Independence for Tibbot is said to be Pro-Indian conspiracy from Chinese side (Indian Orunachol is still claimed as Sothern Tibbot and part of Chinese territory by China). What is liberation movement for Arakan (that starts because of Rohingya annihilation attempt at Chinese instigation) is considered separation conspiracy backed by western block from the side of Burma. Therefore, there is no absolute acceptance of the term called Independence. When we observe victory day of 1971, the Pakistan side considers it still a regional defeat to India. Unfortunately, there are many who still say Pakistan surrendered not to Bangladesh but to India as part of defeat to regional war though we know very well the freedom fighters of Bangladesh compelled them to surrender.
Actually, with the increase of world population, no nation is ready to sacrifice a single acre land to others. So, what is "Independence" for Palestine is "Terrorism" for Israel and what is "Independence" of Israel is just the "Illegal Occupation" for Palestine. Here exceptionally, the world has, in principle, support for the Palestinians independence though it has no practical effect or outcome at all. It seems as if Maltusian theory that says growing population of the world will control themselves by any means like war has got its momentum.
Up to late 20th century bi-polar politics was very dominant and one nation definitely supported the declaration of independence of another nation. From late 20th century when United Nation became more powerful specially with Veto power than ever before to decide on any issue, it has formally become difficult for any nation to support independence of the partial territory of another nation. Such support is now considered as violation of sovereignty of the one nation by another which is strictly prohibited and defamed globally.
Besides, the world have already learnt from the destruction of two world wars the consequence of supporting or occupying others land in the name of independence.Still supporting independence of the enemys' enemy continues though weakly in the form of political espionage. That is why when conflict occurs with issues like Independence of Hongkong, Indian seven sisters, Beluchistan there is no scope to support formally. So, different nations give informal support, weapons as well as provide funding off the record. Such supports other than by human rights organization is considered unethical crime in the newly developed context of terrorism from 1990s onward and a punishable offense if such complain is ever proved to international court.
However, there are some wars where aim is not Independence but gaining military control over certain region or zone like the internal war of Somalia and Yemen which starts because of the conflict between Turkey-Quatar-Sudan in one side and Egypt-Saudi and their allies on the other regarding dominance of Red Sea zone whose ultimate beneficiary might some third party. So, independence is now the toughest job for any caste, ethnic minority or province by going against their nation.
So, it will not be exaggeration to say that in 21st century aspiration for independence is nothing more than conspiracy for separation or apparent terrorism.That is how the dimension of Independence has got an ironical twist in 21st century and the dichotomy between "Independence" or "Separation Conspiracy/ Terrorism" has become more vague than ever before and no clear demarcation is possible truly because of having hardly any difference between the claim of "Independence" and "Separation" and as such between "Liberation movement" and "Terrorism".
The writer is First Assistant Vice President, Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd
Latest News