POLITICS OF FEDERALISM AND NATIONALISM CAUSES SEPARATISM: THE CASE OF EAST PAKISTAN (1947-1971)

Abstract

This qualitative paper, mostly based on secondary data, investigates the principles and practices of Federalism in united Pakistan that led to the emergence of ethno-based Bengali nationalism and finally the separation of East Pakistan. Federalism was adopted as a form of government to unite the various ethno-nationals, linguistic, and cultural groups of Pakistan but it failed to keep the two wings together because its basic principles were not followed. It argues that the geographically dividend and pluralist society of Pakistan could be united by accommodating the interests of the diverse sections rather than by eliminating pluralism itself. But unfortunately, the then rulings elites of Pakistan particularly the civil and military bureaucrats of Punjab always twisted federalism in favor of the center which was against the spirit of federalism. The centralized control over power and resources and disregard to the growing reservations in East Pakistan caused ethnic and nationalist tendencies which subsequently led to the disintegration of East Pakistan.

Keywords: Federalism, ethno-national groups, representation at central legislature, centripetal verses centrifugal tendencies, separatism.