DKG: There is fear in people’s mind that East Bengal may secede and become independent.
Vinoba: We must not worry about it. Mujib never wanted an independent Bangladesh. All that he wanted was autonomy. But the military denied him this by merely staging the drama of democracy and then burying it under the military boots. So Mujib was v forced to declare independence.
DKG: Should we appeal to the Government of India to recognize Bangladesh.
Vinoba: We are experts in giving impractical suggestions (laughter). I too have a suggestion. It is that India should disband her army. The democracy which relies on its army is not a true democracy. This has been proved in Bangladesh. Setting this example before the word. India should declare that to protect our democracy we are disbanding our army. This will bring a tremendous moral pressure not only on Pakistan but on all the nations of the world. If you disband your army nobody will dare attack you. And even if someone attacks you, the world powers won’t let it happen.
DKG: But then how would we protect our people?
Vinoba: The people are already very well protected because no one is really depending on the army (laughter). The suggestion to disband the army is not as impractical as it sounds. What is impossible in normal times but it can be done in times of crisis. Your Government has a two thirds majority now and they are in a position to do it. If you do it, it will have a tremendous impact on the world.
DKG: What can we do immediately?
Vinoba: You should mobilize public opinion not only in India but also in other countries. You can tell the people of America that the arms given by their Government are being used in East Bengal for perpetrating genocide. They can bring pressure on their Government and their Government in turn can persuade other countries, especially our neighbors, not to co-operate with Pakistan in the massacre of Bangla Desh People. You can ask your own Government to take up this issue at the UN.
In India, you can organise all-Party meetings all over the country to mobilize public opinion. You can collect funds for relief work. You can send medical teams to the borders.
DKG: How can the people of Bangla Desh resist the army nonviolently?
Vinoba: Under Mujib’s leadership the people of Bangla Desh have given an excellent example of complete non-cooperation. But they have not shown the powers of nonviolence. Indeed, no country has done it. There are many examples of non-cooperation in the world. And even in India the power of nonviolence has not been used. I was hoping that Mujib might generate it. But he was deceived and the military has crushed any hopes by its all-out attack.
