903 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ তৃতীয় পত্র The sanction, and mandate of the people was in favor of two States. The birth of Bangladesh is not new feature in the political History of India. The departure from the Lahore resolution is the cause of all evil. In the name of religion and so-called integrity, the 75 million people of Bangladesh were subjected to untold repression, colonial exploitation, and economic deprivation by the rulers of Pakistan. The people of Bangladesh, as I have said before, made supreme sacrifices, to impress upon their unimaginative partners that religion alone cannot bind a divergent people into a nation. Some philosophy of unity based on the principle of justice, equality, freedom and a democratic institution, is essential to keep a loose federation on the rail. Their claim to a United Pakistan is primarily based upon religion-let us now examine, how religiously the rulers of West Pakistan have dispensed Islamic Justice to the Bengalis. Let cold figures speak for themselves. According to the figures computed by Stephen R. Lewis (Pakistan: Industrialization and trade policies. London 1970. PP. 142-3). East Pakistan's share of total commodity imports from 1950 to 1965,-divided into three plan periods was 30.5 per cent (highest). Whereas East Pakistan's share of total export is 61.4 per cent. The foreign exchange thus earned, was canalised for the Industrial development of West Pakistan-Manufactured products were then sold to the protected market of East Pakistan. Only Textile goods, worth about 50 crores are sold to East Pak, every year. A colonial pattern of economy was the reward that East Pakistan received in the hand of West Pakistan. Up to the third plan period (1965-68), only 37 per cent of the development expenditure fell to the share of East Pakistan. Only 20 per cent of the foreign aid was spent in East Pakistan, and 80 per cent in West. East Pakistanis constituted no more than 5 per cent of the officers of the Pak army-in Navy officers level is 19 per cent and technical cadre 9 per cent and in the Naval rank only 28.5 per cent. In Air Force 11 per cent Pilots are Bengalis. From 1947 to 1960, out of 50 senior army officers who attained the rank of Major General only one was Bengali. According to the official Economist of Pakistan 20 families of West Pakistan, control 66 per cent of Industrial assets, 70 per cent Insurance funds and 80 per cent of the Bank- assets. This is the backdrop of the present conflict. Turning to political aspect from 1948 to 68,-the western rulers persistently devised mischievous methods to squeeze out the Bengalis from participation in the administration of the country. Up to 1968, the East Pakistani representation in the Civil Service was only 36 per cent. The western rulers from the very day of inception of Pakistan began to indulge in conspiracies to retain the bastion of power in their wing-and a handful of millionaires, made a common cause with the ruling clique. The poor became poorer and the rich multiplied their millions. Whoever raised a protest came to be looked down after as a branded traitor. Even laws were framed for the benefit of the few. The History of Pakistan in short, is the history of deception under the guise of religion, and integrity, To the western rulers these two weapons were ideally suited to befool the vast majority of people of Pakistan-who in the
