EBR approved
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
The drive from Kolkata is short and relatively smooth. The current Indian Government had been elected on a promise of massive infrastructure spending, and it seems as if West Bengal had gotten its fair share of the pork barrel spending. But I am not here for the Indian government, which is a reasonably stable democracy in line with a great many countries in the multiverse. No I am here for the borders.
I ask my driver what he thinks of Bangladesh.
“A bunch of freeloaders” He grumbles before rolling up his window. I suppose not every cabbie can be talkative.
The Partition of India was, as is sadly often the case, a horrifically bloody and messy affair, that left what had once been the Raj as two separate states. The largely Hindu India and the largely Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan was separated into two regions. East Pakistan and West Pakistan. These regions were quite different, being from opposite sides of the continent.
The new Pakistan fought with India over border disputes in Kashmir (bordering West Pakistan) several times, and the matter remains officially unresolved. The border with East Pakistan was also a mess, although it initially produced far less violence. The dividing lines in the area had always been something of a muddle before independence, with a mess of feudal overlordship and strange landholdings, and partition removed British imposed unity. There were now Pakistani enclaves in India, and Indian enclaves in Pakistan. And enclaves within enclaves. And, in one notable example, an Indian enclave inside a Pakistani enclave inside an Indian enclave inside Pakistan. While New Delhi and Islamabad despised each other, and were typically loath to give even an inch, even they agreed some sort of land swaps needed to be done. But nothing ever was. Wars and internal squabbles kept getting in the way.
East Pakistan, meanwhile, began to resent being part of Pakistan at all. Despite having a smaller population, West Pakistan was dominating the new state. Bengalis were suppressed in favor of those from the West, and the East was viewed as nothing more than a distraction to divert India away from the “real fight” in the west. Whenever East Pakistanis seemed to be gaining politically the thoroughly Western Military stepped in to stop them. In 1971 the central Pakistani government began what can only be called a genocide in an attempt to retain control of the wayward region. Armed revolt was inevitable, and although the rebels scored some early successes and even declared the independence of “The People’s Republic of Bangladesh” Pakistani forces gained the upper hand. For a time it seemed India would intervene, but the United States sent a naval task force to prevent this from happening. Indira Gandhi could not prevent the defeat of the rebels in East Pakistan proper.
She could, however, protect the enclaves.
Crossing the border into East Pakistan would be impossible without extensive preparations and bribery. However crossing the border into Bangladesh was as simple as passing a sign and a shoddy wire defense. This is the largest enclave and de facto capital, Dahagram–Angarpota. I am told that smaller enclaves are even less delineated.
I pass by a few dilapidated homes, but not many before I reach the Palace of the Republic. There are, however many more people that one would expect in such a place. Although the total size of the Republic is less than 50 square kilometers, tens of thousands still live here, mostly refugees. The Palace of the Republic is not terribly impressive. In many other places it would be a small courthouse, maybe not even that. But it is home to both the President and the National Assembly of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Nominally the Republic is a parliamentary one with a weak President. In reality the President plays an important role. The National Assembly acts more like a de facto city council, passing laws and ordinances governing the 92 separate units forming the Republic, as well as distributing what meagre funds the government takes in. The President is in charge of “external affairs.”
This seems to mostly consist of haggling with the Indians.
This observation greatly amuses Partho Kar, President of the People’s Republic. He is a tall man built like a barrel. His hair is greying, but he still looks as if he could take on a prizefighter and win. He is dressed in military camouflage.
“True, very true.” He says while laughing. “But it is the best damn haggling you will ever see Mr. Chana, I will tell you that. The Governor will complain that our citizens our stealing his people’s food. I will complain that he is not respecting our right to transit. Then some firebrand will denounce us as Muslim spies and demand the annexation of Bangladesh. I will counter perhaps, with a vague promise to try and stimulate some kind of industry that I will never keep.” He laughs again, fully aware of the absurdity of the situation.
Even more so than other Governments in exile, Bangladesh is dependent on its host’s good graces. The original republic never received any recognition outside India and so it is a remenant of something that never existed in the eyes of many countries.
“We get by,” admits Kar. “Youth groups, the diaspora, some philanthropists in India. A few groups I will not mention.”
Relations with the Indian neighbors ranges from so peaceful you can’t even tell they’re supposed to be from two different countries to outright ethnic violence, often exacerbated by Indians feeling as if the Bangladeshis are being given favorable treatment.
“Nonsense to that,” says Kar. “They just want us to be a thorn in the side of Pakistan.” He spits after saying the name.
While no longer genocidal Islamabad still maintains a tight military grip on the East, stationing thousands of troops there to enforce as racial caste system, alongside a nuclear deterrent.
This brings me to the other great difference Bangladesh has with most governments in exile. It is very, very, close to the homeland. They are not cowering in a European capital. They are not holed up in a cushy embassy. They are so close, well inside shooting distance.
Rockets are occasionally fired, although this raises the specter of a nuclear confrontation between India and Pakistan. Night raids across the border are more common, and arms smuggling is a major industry in the area.
As President Kor is commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Some are members of the “Border Protection Service” which serves as a police in areas the Republic controls. The “Army of the Interior” however is actually the largest anti-Pakistan guerrilla organization in East Pakistan. Promising boys wishing to avoid the poverty of the exile community often join up. The program is so successful that India has at times requested that the Army of the Interior be used in operations in Bhutan in lieu of Indian forces. Kor was elected on the back of his stellar record, and is proud to confirm he is still an active member.
“Not many Presidents can say that they have led their nations troops into battle while in office.” He proclaims happily. “But I can. This is the kind of commitment we expect from our men. And this is why we shall win.”
The Bangladeshi Parliament is divided between the People’s Revolutionary Party, Kor’s Party, which favors more aggressive action and independence from India, and the Awami League which favors aggressive action at the current level combined with closer ties to India. At the present the Parliament is chaired by the intractable Durba Baij, a 45 year old washerwoman with a sharp tongue. I do not normally do audio interviews, but in this case I will make an exception.
“Don’t belive a word that damn fool Kor says. He’s a starry eyed idealist.” She says, followed by a hiss of static.
Baij is chairing the meeting via radio, as she does every meeting.
In 1971, with India sheltering rebels in the enclaves the Pakistani government made moves to occupy the Indian enclaves in Pakistan. India however, stated in no uncertain terms that this would mean war, US backing or not. So Pakistan backed off, having just received intelligence indicating that they would lose any war badly.
The Indian enclaves were placed under siege, and remain so to this day. But this had the effect of protecting the 21 Pakistani enclaves inside the Indian enclaves from the Pakistani government, and these enclaves soon joined Bangladesh. Communication is difficult. Sometimes pigeons or couriers can get through, and sometimes humans are able to be smuggled across. But radio remains the primary way that those behind the Indo-Pakistani border remain informed.
“Kor thinks his merry band of rebels will topple decades of dictatorship. He’s wrong. Pakistan will only fall due to internal chaos or Indian action. We need a close relationship,” She says. “Not bullshit posturing.”
I ask who she’ll support in the next election.
“Kor of course. He is a great military man, and the Interior Army is a good negotiating chip. Besides he’s a fool but not an idiot, he won't do anything that will really harm us.”
I wonder if there is any hope that one day Bangladesh will expand beyond its current borders.
“I sure hope so. I’ve lived my entire life in this enclave. It’s not that big and I would like to leave at some point.”