Beyond Nationalist Narratives: Pakistani Historical Consciousness of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide in an Era of Geopolitical Realignment

Abstract

What happens when a nation’s history is defined as much by what is forgotten as by what is remembered? The history of Bangladesh’s creation is arguably one of the most contested and myth-laden in South Asian history. Conflicting interpretations of the events leading up to and during 1971 continue to spark debate and confusion nearly 54 years later. Many scholars studying South Asian history tend to confine their analysis to the post-1947 period. Those who do venture beyond this timeframe frequently adopt a teleological perspective that frames Bangladesh’s independence as an unavoidable outcome, a historical conclusion that was bound to happen rather than one of many possible paths. The Partition, based on the “two-nation theory” that Muslims and Hindus required separate homelands, created Pakistan with two non-contiguous regions: West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), separated by 1,000 miles of Indian territory and marked by significant cultural, linguistic, and social differences.

Yet, despite its promises of independence and religious self-determination, goals that some would argue were barely achieved, Partition’s execution was marred by uncertainty, economic disparities, and deep structural failures. The systematic marginalization of East Pakistan by West Pakistani leadership catalyzed the emergence of Bengali nationalism. In response, the Pakistani military initiated a brutal suppression campaign against the movement, resulting in widespread atrocities including mass killings, systematic sexual violence, and targeted elimination of intellectuals and minorities. This campaign, widely recognized as genocide by scholars and international organizations, ultimately culminated in Bangladesh’s independence.

Decades later, the violence Pakistan inflicted upon Bangladesh remains an indelible memory shaping bilateral relations. Pakistan has consistently denied or addressed ambiguously its involvement in war crimes during the 1971 genocide, often crafting statements seemingly calculated to appease specific audiences without fully acknowledging accountability. The denial of these atrocities, alongside internal divisions and ongoing insurgencies, presents persistent challenges to Pakistan’s national cohesion. This problematic narrative continues across generations within Pakistan and among its diaspora communities, frequently perpetuated through systematic propaganda campaigns.

My research investigates how attitudes toward the 1971 Bangladesh genocide have evolved among diverse demographic groups within Pakistan, examining both mainstream perspectives and those from diaspora communities. The study analyzes how historical memory, denial, and nationalist narratives intersect with factors such as education, generational differences, regional identities, and transnational experiences to shape understandings of this contested past. Special attention is given to historically silenced aspects of the genocide, particularly systematic sexual violence and ideological challenges to state narratives, and how these shape contemporary Pakistani identity and bilateral relations with Bangladesh. By triangulating qualitative interviews, quantitative survey data, and analysis of educational materials, this research reveals both the persistence of nationalist denial frameworks and the emergence of more critical perspectives, especially among younger and diaspora Pakistanis. The findings illuminate how recent geopolitical shifts in South Asia, including Bangladesh’s 2024 political transition, create new possibilities for addressing historical grievances while developing forward-looking bilateral engagement.