Latest news with #pro-Pakistan
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
From citizens to collaborators to collateral damage
Listen to article What is the cost of denial and non-closure in the face of an ongoing genocide? The plight of the fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of nearly 300,000 patriots — still confined to 6x6 cages in Bangladesh - is systematically pushed aside by more media-savvy and politically-palatable priorities. With each passing day, the likelihood of historical inclusion for Pakistanis caught in the conflict of 1971 — widely viewed by influential voices in activism, advocacy, academia and authority as those who 'stood on the wrong side of history' — continues to wither. And yet, I find myself still owning a cause that even many within this community (arguably the most doomed among those who have themselves endured genocide and ethnic cleansing) have chosen to ignore, as an act of pragmatism, if not quiet apathy. Various telling examples of this eradication persist in academic literature that "convincingly" confirms not only the genocide of Bengalis but, in many cases, may aggrandise it. Recently, I came across mentions of a forthcoming book, Citizens to Traitors by Dr Ilyas Chattha, with endorsements from eminent historians like Ayesha Jalal and Bina D'Costa. The book studies the 'internment of Bengalis in Pakistan between 1971 and 1974', following the 'liberation of Bangladesh'. Although I have not had access to the full text, the existing previews moved me to respond. (This reference was not part of my original op-ed.). I congratulate him for addressing this heartbreaking chapter. While respecting the academic intent, the claim merits further exploration. Many Bengalis, including public figures who chose to remain Pakistani, were accorded full rights. Many still travel freely to and from Bangladesh. Those who renounced Pakistani citizenship, including students, diplomats and military personnel who supported the creation of Bangladesh, left peacefully, selling their assets without reports of violence or harassment in West Pakistan. The contrast in East Pakistan was stark: thousands of pro-Pakistan civilians, mostly Biharis, were mercilessly executed by Muslim Bengali Mukti Bahnis. Women were raped, killed, or abducted. As documented in Blood and Tears by Qutbuddin Aziz, this brutality has long been concealed. Survivors were displaced, exiled from homes, and left to rot in wretched camps. Over five decades later, these shelters remain symbols of betrayal not just by Bangladesh but by Pakistan too: the country they defended and the country that denigrated them. It seems that books like Dr Chattha's, along with many other theoretical works on 1971, almost entirely eliminate the Bihari version of history. Is this a minor oversight? Or does it expose a patent pattern in South Asian historiography to centre those who align with profitable storylines, while stifling those whose tribulations are dismissed as unmarketable? Academics must draw a line between selective amnesia that serves political convenience and the pursuit of historical truth. I hope I am mistaken. For the sake of intellectual honesty, I imagine that all such academics would be writing about the genocide of my community, deliberately undocumented and denied. As someone who has lived through this erased history, I request the State to investigate the 'internment' and share the truth with us, the citizens, no matter how ugly it may be. This is a matter of the country's image. I wish I had access to the opinion-shapers to tell the story of how Biharis and other non-Bengali Urdu speakers were relegated from loyal citizens to stateless 'collaborators'. Today, my people are shelved as 'collateral damage', deserted by Pakistan (repatriation froze long ago), and marginalised even by those who claim to champion minority and human rights. I wish I could engage with elite students of elite universities to emphasise what it feels like to be on a US fellowship, only to find your host is a Bangladeshi American who proudly says he was a freedom fighter and assassinated Biharis. I wish I could elucidate what it feels like to look around at fellow Pakistanis and find no support, only silence and solidarity with the dominating-hateful narratives. I wish I could conduct simulation workshops with Pakistani youth, who frequently use social media for gaining information. I would assign roles as pro-Pakistan Biharis and ask, would you cooperate with the army in intelligence gathering? Could you resist local rebels trained in guerrilla warfare? Could you remain neutral, and if so, would anyone believe you? Such morally grey history still defines the reality of my community. The slaughter and devastation of my people in East Pakistan carried out with the reinforcement of international and regional players has been rebranded as the butchery of Bengalis. Through my single-handed research and podcast work with survivors, I have recorded some indescribable testimonies. Nonetheless, due to power inequities and very real risks, many of those responsible for perpetuating this propaganda against Biharis cannot be named. Many ordinary, educated eyewitnesses to the 1971 tragedy are still alive. Yet voices like theirs are never invited to share their lived truth. To simply say: Bengalis were not traitors to begin with. And the stranded Biharis were never traitors either. They stood with the state and its soldiers, not the separatists, and are still paying the price. How long must new generations of those ill-fated Pakistani citizens who committed the "crime" of supporting the central state continue to tolerate the signs of genocide? What message does their horrific end send to anti-state voices in today's Pakistan? Please just take a look. Empathy, not sympathy. That is all we ask. But that remains a distant dream. Personally, I do not see either Biharis or Bengalis as villains, only victims of a conflict in which the majority had little say, little consent, and were forced to choose sides. Yet some form of remorse, and some measure of compensation, must follow. The difference between the two lies in the state: the former remain stateless; the latter have a homeland of their own. The reality, however, is far harsher, far darker, than I could ever fully express. Pakistan, I still love you!
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Are top officers of Indian Armed Forces on Pak's side: Gaurav Gogoi to Defence Minister
New Delhi: Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, questioning whether the senior-most officers of the Indian Armed Forces, who publicly acknowledged setbacks during Operation Sindoor, were now being viewed as "pro-Pakistan". Gogoi's remarks come in the backdrop of an intense and politically charged debate in Parliament, where the Opposition has accused the Modi government of security lapses that led to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and demanded full transparency on the military's cross-border response under Operation Sindoor. In a sharp rebuke, Gogoi, speaking to IANS, said, "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh must read the statements of India's top defence officers. If our Chief of Defence Staff is also making such claims, does that mean the top officer is on Pakistan's side? Is Lt Gen Rahul Singh supporting Pakistan? Is India's defence attache in Indonesia, Group Captain Shiv Kumar, also on Pakistan's side?" "Are our soldiers and pilots, who may be harbouring similar doubts, on Pakistan's side too? Rajnath Singh needs to answer this," he added. Gogoi had earlier raised these concerns during the Operation Sindoor debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday, citing public remarks by CDS General Anil Chauhan about the downing of fighter jets. In a recent interview, Chauhan had stated: "What is important is not the jet being downed, but why they were being downed." Gogoi argued that such remarks clearly point to strategic failures, which the government is reluctant to acknowledge. He further lambasted the Modi government for not holding Union Home Minister Amit Shah accountable for the infiltration of terrorists into Baisaran valley in Pahalgam that led to the deaths of 26 soldiers. "The government cannot hide behind the Lieutenant Governor. The responsibility lies with the Centre," he said. The Congress leader also quoted statements from Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, who at a FICCI event reportedly termed the operation a "two-front war with active backing from China". Despite this, Gogoi said, the government "failed to name China even once or show it the red eye". He also referred to Group Captain Shiv Kumar's remarks from Indonesia, who reportedly said that India suffered losses due to "restraints on attacking military installations across the border". Gogoi questioned: "Why was the military asked to show restraint? Why did our fighter jets have to fire from long range when they are considered among the best?" He also urged the government to stop hiding behind rhetoric and provide the nation with a "clear picture" of the situation and military operations.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
From remote hills to growing towns Uttarakhand's infrastructure tells a story of transformation.
'In Contact With Pakistan...': Gujarat ATS Arrests 4 Al-Qaeda Terrorists, Op Sindoor Docs Recovered The Gujarat ATS has arrested four men — Fardeen Shaikh (Ahmedabad), Mohd Faiq (Delhi), Zeeshan Ali (Noida), and Saifullah Qureshi (Modasa) — for links to AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent). They allegedly ran Instagram accounts promoting terror, spreading anti-India, pro-Pakistan content, and advocating Shariat over democracy. One was found with a sword and Operation Sindoor-linked material. Mohd Faiq had ties to Pakistani Instagram accounts sharing 'jihadi' content. UAPA and BNS sections have been invoked. Two accused are on 14-day remand, two will be produced in court. ATS recovered provocative material meant to incite communal discord. #gujarat #ats #alqaeda #antiterrorism #operationsindoor #indiasecurity #counterterrorism #radicalization #nationalsecurity #indiapakistan #lawandorder #toi #toibharat 16.6K views | 13 hours ago
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Houthis Fire Another Missile At Israel, But It Explodes Mid-Air Outside Israeli Airspace
'In Contact With Pakistan...': Gujarat ATS Arrests 4 Al-Qaeda Terrorists, Op Sindoor Docs Recovered The Gujarat ATS has arrested four men — Fardeen Shaikh (Ahmedabad), Mohd Faiq (Delhi), Zeeshan Ali (Noida), and Saifullah Qureshi (Modasa) — for links to AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent). They allegedly ran Instagram accounts promoting terror, spreading anti-India, pro-Pakistan content, and advocating Shariat over democracy. One was found with a sword and Operation Sindoor-linked material. Mohd Faiq had ties to Pakistani Instagram accounts sharing 'jihadi' content. UAPA and BNS sections have been invoked. Two accused are on 14-day remand, two will be produced in court. ATS recovered provocative material meant to incite communal discord. #gujarat #ats #alqaeda #antiterrorism #operationsindoor #indiasecurity #counterterrorism #radicalization #nationalsecurity #indiapakistan #lawandorder #toi #toibharat 16.6K views | 13 hours ago
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi speaks like "Leader of Pakistan," says BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan
Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) national spokesperson CR Kesavan on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi , accusing him of echoing a "pro-Pakistan narrative" after the Congress leader questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over US President Donald Trump 's recent "five jets shot down" claim. He further stated that the Congress leader spoke like the "Leader of Pakistan." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category PGDM Technology Others Data Science Leadership Public Policy Digital Marketing CXO Degree Finance others healthcare Healthcare Cybersecurity Data Analytics Management Artificial Intelligence MBA MCA Product Management Project Management Design Thinking Data Science Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details "Rahul Gandhi is speaking like LoP. Not the Leader of Opposition but the Leader of Pakistan, peddling a very toxic pro-Pakistan narrative and tarnishing the image of India and our army," Kesavan told ANI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Labelling Rahul Gandhi's social media post as "pernicious and toxic", Kesavan said that the tweet demonstrated the Congress leader's lack of trust in the Indian Armed Forces . "Rahul Gandhi's pernicious, toxic tweet clearly demonstrates that Rahul Gandhi has no trust in our Indian Armed Forces. The tweet clearly shows that Rahul Gandhi's loyalty does not lie with India, and also Rahul Gandhi seems to be deriving a very sadistic pleasure in demeaning our brave defence personnel and defaming our nation... Rahul Gandhi currently got bail in a defamation case, allegedly for insulting the dignity of the Indian Army, and now he continues to ungratefully malign our armed forces..." Live Events Kesavan further claimed that while Trump's statement on jets nowhere mentioned India, Rahul Gandhi twisted and tried to humiliate the selfless valour of the Indian Army. "The tweet made by US President Trump had nowhere mentioned India's name. Rahul Gandhi has twisted and tried to humiliate the selfless valour of the Indian Army... he does not have belief in our own armed forces. His behaviour is condemnable. His dangerous anti-India campaign has caused outrage everywhere..." he added. Kesavan said such "anti-India campaigns" by Rahul Gandhi had triggered widespread outrage and added, "People of India will teach Rahul Gandhi a lesson..." The remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X on July 19, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Trump's claims of having defused an escalation between India and Pakistan, during which "five ships were shot down." The post read, "Modi ji, what is the truth about the 5 ships? The country has the right to know!" This comes after Donald Trump once again claimed to have halted the escalation of the India-Pakistan conflict on Saturday.
