karnivore
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Let me remind you all, that India too had its own share of language movement.
Immediately after the partition Nehru, decided to make Hindi the national language and phase out English over time (Article 343(1) provided for discontinuing English after 25th Feb, 1965). This move would have put the entire eastern and southern India at great disadvantage, because the local languages of these parts are no where close to being similar to Hindi. However for northern and western India it wouldn't have been a problem. This resulted in a massive civil movement in southern and eastern India, spearheaded by the Tamils, supported by the Bengalis. Faced with such unrest, Nehru* dropped his plan, and included 14 languages as official language and English was retained. English, although for some, it bore the stench of colonial past, was acceptable to all, because, it was perceived as not to give any particular region any added advantage due to language. Currently there are 22 languages (including Urdu) which are constitutionally recognized (although something around 33 languages have been identified). There is no particular language as "national" language. All intra-govt. communications are however in Hindi and/or English (with a Hindi translation).
What is interesting, is how both the countries, born of the same womb, handled the same problem of language so differently. While the Indian leadership decided to listen to the dissenting voices and respect their sentiments, Pakistani leadership, tried to shove their policy down the throat of a large section of its population. They either did not have clue about how to handle sensitive issues, or just did not care (for obvious reasons).
So yes, it is easy to blame India for the dismemberment of Pakistan, but the fact remains, that Pakistan has only itself to blame for creating a situation that gave India the opportunity to bite.
*ERRATA: It was Lal Bahadur Shastri who dropped the plan and not Nehru.
Immediately after the partition Nehru, decided to make Hindi the national language and phase out English over time (Article 343(1) provided for discontinuing English after 25th Feb, 1965). This move would have put the entire eastern and southern India at great disadvantage, because the local languages of these parts are no where close to being similar to Hindi. However for northern and western India it wouldn't have been a problem. This resulted in a massive civil movement in southern and eastern India, spearheaded by the Tamils, supported by the Bengalis. Faced with such unrest, Nehru* dropped his plan, and included 14 languages as official language and English was retained. English, although for some, it bore the stench of colonial past, was acceptable to all, because, it was perceived as not to give any particular region any added advantage due to language. Currently there are 22 languages (including Urdu) which are constitutionally recognized (although something around 33 languages have been identified). There is no particular language as "national" language. All intra-govt. communications are however in Hindi and/or English (with a Hindi translation).
What is interesting, is how both the countries, born of the same womb, handled the same problem of language so differently. While the Indian leadership decided to listen to the dissenting voices and respect their sentiments, Pakistani leadership, tried to shove their policy down the throat of a large section of its population. They either did not have clue about how to handle sensitive issues, or just did not care (for obvious reasons).
So yes, it is easy to blame India for the dismemberment of Pakistan, but the fact remains, that Pakistan has only itself to blame for creating a situation that gave India the opportunity to bite.
*ERRATA: It was Lal Bahadur Shastri who dropped the plan and not Nehru.
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