Inquiry for Gupt

[iceyspots 0]

OK so I thought I'd ask the regional expert this question

considering I dont know a lot of folks from this area I wasn't sure where to turn.

I know Pakistan is often in the news every time there is some kind of Al-Quaeda movement or there is some kind of significant bombing... but very rarely have I heard anything about Bangladesh make the news.

I forget where it was but one time on VJ I heard a terror suspect was from Bangladesh and that sparked my interest into knowing what goes on there as it seems they don't have a big foothold in terrorism.

I've met quite a few Bengladeshis as Detroit has a sizeable population of them... and from some of them I got the notion they don't wish to live around Pakistanis.

Weren't both Pakistan and Bengladesh parts of India until they were broken off? If so, I'm wondering why it seems that they differ so much considering they are both muslim countries.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I haven't the slighest idea.

Sounds like a good question though.

gupt, please answer.

Daniel

:energetic:

[iceyspots 0]

yes it just seems strange to me that (I think they broke off around the same time, in a similiar fashion) why they seem to differ so much considering they are breaking off from a similiar area.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

is the "common" area diviede by a mountain range? or some other geological barrier?

linguistic perchance?

Daniel

:energetic:

[iceyspots 0]

is the "common" area diviede by a mountain range? or some other geological barrier?

linguistic perchance?

Daniel

:energetic:

I've heard there is quite a bit of Muslim/Hindu tensions in the Kashmir area... but I don't know if there's any kind of similiar conflict between the India/Bangladesh border. Bangladesh is surrounded by India on all sides except for the south part which is bordered by the ocean.

Also, I don't know if language has much to do with it...

There are terrorists in Arab countries that speak arabic.. terrorists in Pakistan that speak Urdu... Terrorists in Iran that speak Farsi... etc..

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

prolly different tribes. so, more along an ethnic thing.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Mirorgate 0]

is the "common" area diviede by a mountain range? or some other geological barrier?

linguistic perchance?

Daniel

:energetic:

bangladesh is eastern coastal area of indian ocean... paki is nw mountainous region

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html

so not sure why the hate... except their probably isnt a real "valid" reason.. if there ever really is one anyway beyond stupidity.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The modern nations of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were all part of the British Indian empire.

In the late 40's, the British left and the region was split into two nations - India and Pakistan. The idea behind the partition was that the Hindus and Muslims of the region comprised two separate nations, even when they lived in close proximity to each other.

When Pakistan was created back then, it included modern Pakistan and modern Bangladesh. The two wings were informally referred to as "East Pakistan" and "West Pakistan".

The split between the two wings of Pakistan occurred in 1971. East Pakistan (todays Bangladesh) had more people than West Pakistan did but culturally, West Pakistan was more dominant. East Pakistanis spoke the Bengali language (aka Bangla) while West Pakistanis spoke Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluch and a few others.

Many reasons led to the split... the primary reason was language. Bangladeshis refer to it as Bhasha Andolon, as in the struggle for their language. The West Pakistani leaders tried very hard to "Urduize" East Pakistan but that created resentment among them. It all culminated with the Indian military intervening in East Pakistan on behalf of the freedom fighters and splitting the enemy in half. It was a victory for both India and for those in East Pakistan... now Bangladesh... who wanted to retain their cultural identity.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

is the "common" area diviede by a mountain range? or some other geological barrier?

linguistic perchance?

Daniel

:energetic:

bangladesh is eastern coastal area of indian ocean... paki is nw mountainous region

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html

so not sure why the hate... except their probably isnt a real "valid" reason.. if there ever really is one anyway beyond stupidity.

maybe one side eats green beans.

Daniel

:energetic:

[iceyspots 0]

The modern nations of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were all part of the British Indian empire.

In the late 40's, the British left and the region was split into two nations - India and Pakistan. The idea behind the partition was that the Hindus and Muslims of the region comprised two separate nations, even when they lived in close proximity to each other.

When Pakistan was created back then, it included modern Pakistan and modern Bangladesh. The two wings were informally referred to as "East Pakistan" and "West Pakistan".

The split between the two wings of Pakistan occurred in 1971. East Pakistan (todays Bangladesh) had more people than West Pakistan did but culturally, West Pakistan was more dominant. East Pakistanis spoke the Bengali language (aka Bangla) while West Pakistanis spoke Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluch and a few others.

Many reasons led to the split... the primary reason was language. Bangladeshis refer to it as Bhasha Andolon, as in the struggle for their language. The West Pakistani leaders tried very hard to "Urduize" East Pakistan but that created resentment among them. It all culminated with the Indian military intervening in East Pakistan on behalf of the freedom fighters and splitting the enemy in half. It was a victory for both India and for those in East Pakistan... now Bangladesh... who wanted to retain their cultural identity.

Ah.. ok.. that explains why the Pakistanis and Bengladeshis don't prefer to mingle, because Pakistan tried to Urduize them.

So what you are saying is pretty much that the Indian military helped Bengladesh free themselves from Pakistans influence?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I've heard there is quite a bit of Muslim/Hindu tensions in the Kashmir area... but I don't know if there's any kind of similiar conflict between the India/Bangladesh border.

Not 'similar' because there hasn't been the same influx of weaponry and trained paramilitaries in that region. The Kashmir border region has been heavily militarized by both sides.

Hindu/Muslim tension exists on the India/Bangladesh border as well. It manifests itself these days as sporadic gunfights between India's BSF (Border Security Force) and Bangladesh's BDR (Bangladesh Rifles). The India/Bangladesh border is not well-defined in many parts and both sides try to push the envelope from time to time. Never any major incidents, though. The bigger problem is that due to the lack of jobs in Bangladesh, large numbers of Bangladeshi Muslims illegally migrate into big Indian cities looking for work. They change the demographics and then Indian politicians pander to them. Their existence has been a large part of the reason for the resurgence and continued strength of the Hindu extremist wing in Indian politics.

[Mirorgate 0]

maybe one side eats green beans.

Daniel

:energetic:

why those green bean eatin bastages... death to them all!!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So what you are saying is pretty much that the Indian military helped Bengladesh free themselves from Pakistans influence?

Yes. Note that Indian intentions were not completely benevolent. They had the opportunity to neutralize the Pakistani threat on the East and they took it. The Indians also tried to milk their assistance for all it was worth... with the result that today Bangladeshis resent India just as much.

[iceyspots 0]

I've heard there is quite a bit of Muslim/Hindu tensions in the Kashmir area... but I don't know if there's any kind of similiar conflict between the India/Bangladesh border.

Not 'similar' because there hasn't been the same influx of weaponry and trained paramilitaries in that region. The Kashmir border region has been heavily militarized by both sides.

Hindu/Muslim tension exists on the India/Bangladesh border as well. It manifests itself these days as sporadic gunfights between India's BSF (Border Security Force) and Bangladesh's BDR (Bangladesh Rifles). The India/Bangladesh border is not well-defined in many parts and both sides try to push the envelope from time to time. Never any major incidents, though. The bigger problem is that due to the lack of jobs in Bangladesh, large numbers of Bangladeshi Muslims illegally migrate into big Indian cities looking for work. They change the demographics and then Indian politicians pander to them. Their existence has been a large part of the reason for the resurgence and continued strength of the Hindu extremist wing in Indian politics.

Ah okay.. since I never really hear anything in the news about Bengladeshi/Indian border tensions I kinda assumed they did not exist.. but it seems as if anything that happens there isn't really newsworthy, at least to the US.

I assume that happens... Bengladeshis moving for better work.. since the country is underdeveloped and faces frequent floods.. and they are also densely populated.

Hmm... when you mention the border thing it seems more like an illegal immigration issue than a pure disgusting hate for eachother... because it seems to me the hate and tension between India and Pakistan is always in full force...

[almaty 19]

wow, thanks arijit...that was informative...

Edited August 30, 2006 by almaty