A Stranger In My Own Country
Book Review By Zain Javed.
Author; Major General Khadim Hussain Raja, was born at Haranpur, district Jehlum. He graduated with
Honors in English,from Government College, Lahore. In 1942 , he joined British Indian Army. He served
as a Major general in east Pakistan.
Introduction
[Link], it is often said , is written by victors. In the case of East Pakistan , it has been written by the
losers.
2. The agitation in west Pakistan was against Tashkent declaration and in the East Pakistan was in the
implementation of the six points which led to dismemberment already there.
3. The opposition was getting strength because it was being sidelined.
Failure Of Ayub Khan and Bhutto’s emergence.
1. Seeds of political unrest and agitation was being sown as Bhutto started criticizing President Ayub
Khan’s policies.
2. Bhutto was assisted by Dr. Mahbub-ul-haq’s slogan of twenty two families according to which rich
were getting richer and poor were getting poorer.
3. Bhutto vocalized socialist slogan of equal wealth.
4. Bhutto also started propagating that Tashkent Declaration was sell out by the government of
Pakistan. He threatened to explain all the ugly details to the nation. This fired the imagination of the
man on the street and the students.
[Link] clever Political manipulating, Bhutto was able to rise an army of agitators who were at his beck and
call. Bhutto projected himself as the Champion Of The Masses and raised the slogan of Roti, Kapra Aur
Makan.
November 1968 protests and consequences.
The Government raised the Sugar Prices by 50 paisas per kg. In result anti government riots broke out in
Rawalpindi and Lahore and spread like wildfire to the other major cities of the West Pakistan.
1. At that time west Pakistan was already stricken with widespread anti-government riots, and east
Pakistan was just waiting a spark to set it blaze. The spark was not long in coming.
Reaction Against Language.
1. The reaction against Urdu was so strong that only Bengali language signboards were allowed to be
displayed in East Pakistan.
Anti-west Feelings among Bengali’s.
When Maj. General Khadim was on an official tour in Dhaka , he observed the whole scenario and
expressed as;
“The environment was so strikingly unfriendly that I felt like A STRANGER IN MY OWN
COUNTRY”.
1. Even the Bengali Shopkeepers were not interested in earning money from west Pakistani’s.
Role Of Sheikh Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman.
1. Mujib openly toured the areas during election campaigns and delivered fiery speeches to local
gatherings. He targeted and shouted slogans of ‘shala Punjabis’ and ‘shala Biharis’, who were the
favorite objects of his vicious attacks.
2. Mujeeb was declared a sacred cow by the chief Martial Law Administrator. Taking advantage of this
undeclared amnesty , Mujib succeeded in spreading hatred against non-bengali’s.
3. Even the Bengali troops were openly participating in his political gatherings and fell prey to his
propaganda.
4. Mujib was quoting parently false stats and figures on how east Pakistan was earning all the foregin
exchanges that was being spent on the development of West Pakistan.
Agartla Conspiracy Case.
35 individuals including mujib were accused of plotting to deprive Pakistan.
1. In the mid October , 1969. When author replaced Major General Muzaffaruddin and asked him about
agartala case. He said,
a. The case was based on reality.
b. Mujib was genuinely implicated.
c. some Bengali troops were to lauch surprise attacks at night and capture quarter guards and
armouries of west [Link] success was expected to induce the remaining Bengali troops to join
forces with the rebels.
d. the government of India was to assist in various ways, such as banning of flights over its
territory.
However , the governments prosecution team , comprising mostly of retired judges , was in no hurry to
complete the case. They let it drag on until subsequent events overtook it, and eventually President
Ayub Khan was forced to withdraw the case, releasing sheikh Mujib and entered into fruitless
negotiations which lasted till Ayub Khan was toppled.
Separate Batallion’s Formation.
As we spoke of one country, and one nation , and yet we were raising a separate Bengali Army. Author
failed to understand why the infantory , from both wings of country could not be integrated into mixed
batallions.
Lack of Military Presence in East Wing.
Author then suggested that the number of troops in east Pakistan was totally inadequate for
taskassigned to them. This had become very evident during the 1965 war when the feeling of isolation
had overpowered not only the general population but even the garrison. Author argued that India would
ban over flights and would dominate the sea route, no reinforcements would be possible.
Character Of President Yahya Khan.
Plantation of recording device in Mujib’s car.
Mujib unwittingly said ; My aim is to establish Bngladesh ; I will tear the LFO into pieces as soon as the
elections are over. Who could challenge me once the elections are over.
The rising sun of awami league.
The devastating cyclone of November 1970.
On the night between 12th and 13th November 1970 east Pakistan was hit by a devastating cyclone.
Total fatalities 5lac . highest wind speed 240km/h.
Yahya khan being criticized for launching relief operation lately.
No Win Situation.
Failed Operation Biltz.
Resignation of [Link] Yaqub Khan.
The president had once again changed his mind and rescinded his earlier decision to come in Dhaka
around 15 March for negotiations with Mujib. Mr. Yaqub earnestly pleaded him not to do so. But the
president rang off the phone and did not agreed. Then Mr. Yaqub resigned from his post.
Mujib a Patriot.
When author was given the charge of east province, Mujib sent his message to him by saying that , ‘ I am
surrounded by separatists and extremists, believe me I’m a patriot and do not want to divide Pakistan
but he had pressure within the party to declare unilateral declaration of independence on 7 th march .
Mujib therefore wanted me to take him into protective custody.
Mujib’s residence at dhanmandi was heavily guarded by awami league workers.
Later mujib did not make any fiery speech on 7th march rally and did not announced independence. He
delieverd a short speech and soon left the stage.
Operation Searchlight.
1. Any point of insurgency to be treated as open rebellion and dealt with accordingly an iron fist.
2. We even suggested the President be requested to a part of it and to help in deception.
3. Bengali troops and Police were to be disarmed as part of plan.
4. All external and internal communication was to be closed down at the beginning of operation.
Information was to be provided when required.
5. The student halls of Dhaka university were to be surrounded and thoroughly searched for arms and
wanted criminals.
6. Mujib was to be captured alive along with his party members and some communist party members.
Operation was started on the mid night between 25th and 26th march 1971.
The supreme authority had decided to plunge the country into civil strife the end result was a forgone
conclusion.
Indian Master strategist , Subranmanyam said; “ One chance in a millennium, to undo Pakistan.”
Stance Of Yahya Khan As President.
1. the president had apparently decided to dump east Pakistan and let it go on its own way.
2. President seemed to be concerned about his personal life only. Therefore,
Yahya Khan flew secretly from east Pakistan on 25th march while observing the scenario.
Replacement Of Positions.
In few days a several positions were replaced by new faces that had never experienced the air of east
Pakistan. 3 time lt. gen were replaced as tikka khan then niazi and finally major khadim was also
replaced by another one.
Last Conference of Author.
[Link] Tikka Khan used to hold a briefing de-briefing conference in operation room of the headquarters
of Eastern command at 4pm every evening.
As replacements were done , so the last to enter was Niazi ; who was wearing a pistol holder on his
webb belt. He ordered all officers to wear a pistol in the uniform.
Verbal Abuse of Gen. Niazi.
There was a sprinkling of Bengali officers in Gathering. Niazi became abusive and started raving breaking
into urdu , he said;
“main is haramzadi qaum ki nasal badal daunga ; yeh mujhy kya smhjty hain”.
1. He threatened that he would let his soliders loose on their womenfolk.
3. There was pin drop silence at these remarks.
4. The meeting dispersed on this unhappy note.
Sucide of Bengali Officer.
The next morning we were given sad news. A brilliant and dignified Bengali officer Major Mushtaq ,
who had served under me in Jessore , went into bathroom (after that meeting in which Niazi abused ) at
the command headquarters and shot himself in the head. He died instantaneously.
Character Of General Niazi.
On april 11, 1971 in Dhaka , I went over to command Headquarters to meet Lt. Gen Niazi and discuss
present and future operations with him.
1. I had already asked him to have a political map available in his office for discussion but he had yet
another surprise for me. In very non chalant manner , he put his hand on my shoulder and said ;
“yar larai ki fikar nahin karo woh tou hum kr layn gey abhi to mujhu bengali girlfriends ke
number de do”.
Conclusion.
1. Those at the top played with the destiny of the country in their personal quest for power.
2. they did not seem moved by massacre of the thousands of innocent men, women, and childerns.
3. There were apparently one fixation in the minds of the trio.
4. Yahya was misguided by his aides that no political party will gain decisive majority so he will be a
arbiter among them and keep playing tne one with others by holding powers.
5. Mujib has planned out his own strategy by targeting one of his favorites shala punjabia and shala
biharis. He exaggerated sonar bangla concept.
6. Bhutto played a key role in insurgency of Pakistan because he was not ready to sit on the opposition
benches. He need powers either he can get in united Pakistan or in divided one, he did not cared. Bhutto
shaunted slogan of ‘idhar hum , odhar tum”.
So President was on driving seat instructed by Bhutto leading towards insurgency of Pakistan.