Crisis of Nationhood
By Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi • Jun 10th, 2009 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 28 CommentsIn 1947 a nation was looking for a country, today the country is looking for a nation. The concept of nationhood which serves as an important pillar in the development of countries has unfortunately been withered with time. Pakistan is one of the countries having been faced with the crisis of identity. Having been emerged as a large nation-state on the world map with an important geo-strategic status and ideological foundations it unfortunately has not come out of the grip of the crisis with the fact that the ratio of the crisis which grown over the past years.
The crisis of integration/identity can simply be defined under the context of how far residents of a nation-state identify themselves with the bases of identification of a state and societal structure. The major bases of identification can be historical, linguistic, ethnic, religious, symbolic, socio-cultural, economic and political. For example, in case of many Arab countries suffering from the crises of legitimacy, representation, and participation are out of the crisis of identity due to strong bonds of historical/linguistic (Arab nationalism). They predominantly identify with Arab nationalism. It is true in case of Iran and Turkey where the roots of nationalism are stronger. Turkey and Iran are the two countries which despite having even faced with militancy/insurgency are overall without the crisis of disintegration due to the fact that ratio of identification with bases of state-societal structure as a unified nation is stronger. A similar example can be of Afghanistan the people of which having been in the grip of brutal war/civil war with a series of repressive regimes still predominantly and proudly identify themselves as Afghans without any option for state division. The developed countries such as USA, Canada, and EU countries etc. enjoy the established bases of economic, political and social support as melting pots. The countries with high level of homogeneity such as Japan, Korea and Malaysia have strong linguistic and sauce-cultural bases of support for identification with established structure of governance.
Pakistan soon after its independence was faced with the crisis of identity. The Two-Nation Theory which served the ideological foundations and platform for the Muslim League under the capable leadership of Quaid-e-Azam was soon found incompatible with the demands of the new state for the political and economic development. The major factor accountable was the sad demise of the founder of Pakistan and the beginning of the volatile game of power struggle which ultimately led to a series of undemocratic and praetorian rule. The growing differences amongst the leading participants of Muslim League, the political party credited for mobilizing Muslim support for the creation of Pakistan, over issues of power of mine-and-thine undermined the constitutional and political development in process.
The role of a leader and system of governance play a role in the promotion of identity bases in diverse societies. Unfortunately the leadership gap developed after the death of Quaid-e-Azam and assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan was not filled. A combined class of leadership could have easily emerged from the East and West wings in case a representative system had been allowed but it did not happen. After 1970 crisis Z. A. Bhutto emerged as a national leader. He and his party held popularity among masses. He had a fair chance of winning the bases of popular support in case he shown tolerance to opposition and not overwhelmed by power ambitions. Bhutto could win the support of opposition by showing tolerance and reconciliation, supports electoral institutions, and keep army out of politics, but he failed to do so. Nonetheless, it was unfortunate for the country that a man of his caliber was removed from the scene through a military coup and a along the system which could promise hopes of a democratic order in the country.
Pakistan was achieved on the basis of the theory that necessitated the partition of India on the ground that two major segments of its population lacked any resemblance between their culture, religion and historical heritage. The essence of the theory and later on the driving force behind the All India Muslim League for mobilization of the Indian Muslims, majority of those from common class of society needed a separate homeland where they could exercise political, religious, social and economic independence away from Hindus’ dominance. It was a dream which could have been achieved through the establishment of a political system based on representation of all segments of the society. The differences between the East and West Pakistan were the result of an unrepresentative system which fanned the separatist movement and ultimately resulted into the disintegration of Pakistan. The separation of East Pakistan into Bangladesh was the end of the Two-Nation Theory the die about which had long been cast.
Pakistan is a heterogeneous country divided into different ethnic and tribal groups. There are differences of social, cultural and societal norms in four of its provinces and constituent parts i.e. the federally administered tribally and Northern areas. Pakistan has lacked a common language which is an important component in uniting people in a society bifurcated by social and cultural differences. It was necessary for a bifurcating society like Pakistan was to have a common language. Urdu as our national language failed to mobilize masses for national unity due to two major reasons. First, it was a language that was not spoken in large. Its use was limited to a narrow section of population and thus could not become a lingua franka. Second, Urdu was not adapted as a medium of instruction for all academic curricula and civil and military examinations. The adoption of national language as a source of important academic and administrative purposes in a society can mobilize masses into a nationhood. It is true in case of many nation-states with stronger sense of nationalism. If Urdu had been given the status of an important medium of instruction and used for official and non-official purposes there would have been mobilization of masses into a unified nation, but it did not happen. The rich and privilege class send their children to expensive English medium schools where they are groomed as a special class for competitive state examinations for their future role as elite against those who unable to afford sending their generation to those schools and are left at the mercy of poor rate Urdu medium schools. The division bifurcates the society into have and have-nots with have as the considerably larger group.
The lack of a unified system of education with Urdu as a recognized medium of instruction has failed to mobilize our generations in familiarity with our history and culture. The sense of masses’ identification with the national bases is comparatively much smaller than with the regional and provincial bases. Majority of us are proud to be Sindhi, Punjabi, Pathan or Balochi than Pakistani. The roots of nationalism have not been strengthened on national, but are rather on parochial and tribal bases. Countries with universal education in a unified national language enjoy higher sense of nationalism.
The role of symbolic modernization, economic development and the setup of infra-structure strengthens the identification bases of masses into a unified nation. Many states with cultural and social diversity have reduced the crisis of identity by faster communication network; they include roads, telecommunication, electricity and media. Pakistan being an agrarian society with majority of people living into far-flung rural areas of the four provinces have not been linked by faster means of communication. The conditions of roads are not satisfactory and distances of hours is made into days. It is particular in case of Balochistan where the availability of metalled roads compared to its area and size are nominal.
Pakistan has been suffering from the crisis of identity. The lack of the continuity of an electoral rule and a viable representative system, good governance, and the national leadership are the major factors for the crisis against the integration of masses into one nation.
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Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi is Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan Quetta.
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Thanks, you very beautifully presented the identity crisis at very good time. I want to make some further points and put some suggestions.
There is a saying of Hazrat Ali (RA), that a nation can survive with Non-Islamic system but not with unjustice. So I think the unjustice and currupt leadership of Pakistan was the main cause of separation of east Pakistan, it has nothing to do with Two Nation Theory (TNT). I will further argue, although (I believe) TNT is intrinsically a reality, but the nation who (so called) own it, is not at that level of maturity who could understand it, nor it ever did, but it need to be made educated so that they own it. I see, the current world politics has made it very clear that two nation theory is not limited to sub-continent but extends to whole worlds. These are only Muslims who are closing their eyes and not realizing it.
Basically, a common-man has been injected into the circle of basic necessities without a plan to pull them back after economic growth or in parallel. And their is no growth, still. So the nation still fails to realized and enjoy what they own. It is the growth under good leadership which provides the confidence to their citizens with identity, which our leadership has badly failed to provide. I can put the the example of China (with whom i am doing business since last 10 years), they were just unaware of the current status only about 20 years ago. And all (lower level citizens) were just doing unknowingly to where they are heading. But now, you go their, you see the Chinese nationalism on their face, every body stand for it, because their leadership has given them identity (and they had given identity to the country).
Basically our case is very different from the world. Here are Muslims and each has its own definition, because they don’t understand the essence of Islam but just follow what their “elders” say. Here no secular govt can work (Muslims will take stand against what govt will do, and they should), nor sectarian Islamic govt. Here we need to understand what Allama Iqbal said, that before architecting the govt system we should understand our Deen, only then we will be able to design some system which will be acceptable to all.
The world great ideologies are failing one after another, whether it was communism, socialism; and now capitalism and secularism, etc. See http://globalresearch.ca, but it will only tell what is going on, what is failing, why it is failing, but will not tell how to solve the problem, because solving some of the fundamental problems is outside the domain of humans who do not submit their will to Allah Almighty.
So we need to understand Islam’s crux and its essence (FIRST OF ALL), educate others, and prepare people very systematically to take stand. The topic is very wide, I think its enough for now.
well the only problem hurting Pakistan is the growing influence of deobandi school of Islam and the tireless work by tablighi jama’at in the cities, smaller towns, suburbs and remote villages. Now every household is divided where the parents and the old generation (not all) stick to their barelvi school and the younger educated, uneducated, unemployed swayed by the fragrance of true islam being propogated by deobandi ulema and millions of people who now love and work in the gulf states including Saudi Arabia.
As you may have seen there are people in remote villages who are up in arms against those in adjoining villages in Dir and Upper Dir fighting each other. If you dissect the situation than this is an ideological war between two schools (mentioned above).
So Pakistan has to find the middle ground as its elite mostly muhazirs who came from northern states of India during partition and gained influence in business, politics, administration including officer’s in the army (the army elite) and no doubt Barelvis who worship graves and follow a distinct brand of Islam which according to Deobandi’s is corrupted and not according to the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).
I have so many articles on the present crisis but nobody talks about this division which is at the source of all conflict.
Now what should be done is to streamline Pakistani laws and legislations according to Islamic Shariah and give justice to all the people including minorities (sikhs and hindus).
What is driving the army to come down so heavily against the militants in the Malakand division is the fear among the army’s elite and the civilian government that if they do not stand up against the militants now then the whole country will soon be swamped by people who adhere to the other school (read deobandi). Army’s foot soldiers recruited in the past decades have sympathy towards taliban elements and this is one of the reason why there are so many casualties of high level army officers in this ongoing offensive as they themselves thought that if they dont’ go themselves in the battle field than the already demoralised pakistani army will be routed.
Let us hope that something comes out positive from this engagement otherwise I foresee more troubles ahead.
You said it right
but nothing going to change, we will learn the hard way, only time will teach us.
Prof
The reason of all such destruction of civil infrastructure goes to military establishment .In this period of survival as nation they ruled their own people directly for 38 years ,dividing country in more and more ethnic fragments.Gen Aub was clearly written disqualified by Quaid azam due to his drunken worst performance as Col in the riots taken in 1947 near wazirabad.Who raised his status in his failed ACR after the tragic death of Quaid is still a mystery but Quaid was very clear about that drunken col who ultimately laid the foundation of strong military establishment in our land.After this they give development to our country through US charity and then destroyed all by US worst policies mostly related to war games.We have to give up this US life support system that is grooming more and more monsters like rulers in our system.
Prof,
Great article. You have tried to put things that no one likes to hear in Pakistan. They are happy to blame anything and everything on others and not to look at way to improve them.
Pakistan as a country is diverse but you have to still to integrate all the sections of it to make the country stronger and also to help it grow economically. But the political class in Pakistan today and the earlier once are there just to blackmail everybody out there and get free funds, which is not good in long run. This is not going to help. As someday everyone will step back and let the country to fail and then the situation will be out of control and no one can or will be rectify it.
Pakistan currently needs to have a revolution in which the minds of people needs to be washed which will help them to look at things clearly and take action on the wrong once which are impacting the country. This is easier to be said, but, if look at history many western countries have seen revolution which has helped them to change and prosper. Pakistan needs madly.
Also it should be noted that religion should not be made part of anything that will govern the policies of the country. If you look at India, the rules and laws that are implemented are not on religious teachings and principles, but are on the modern day legislation. There are certain laws that are made as per the religion people follow but they don’t govern the lives of people. Laws like the Marriage act and all are there as per religion, but the other ones.
Religion should be treated separately as it is once own personal matter it is not the point or topic for everyone’s discussion and use. It has a its own respect structure that needs to be followed. Bringing religion into everyday life and making it followed will not be an ideal option.
Pakistan when it was created was not a Islamic republic but just a republic. Later people changed it and made it what it is today. These same people are using it for their own good and benefit but not for the benefit of the country and its people. If things are not for the betterment of its people then whats the use of it.
People in Pakistan needs to look at things differently and everything should not be looked at from religious glasses. Things related to religion can be looked at from religious viewpoint but not the things that are related to everyday life of a person.
Hope you understand this.
Radheyshyam-SHAITAN,
You have talked about the Deobandi and the other things that are cause of concern, but what about the Wahabism and Wahabi culture that has creeped into lives of Muslim people.
I remember earlier when I used to meet my friends who are Muslims of go to some gathering of Muslims they used to wish everybody by saying Khuda Hafis and all. But today when I go to such gatherings people wish each other by saying Allah Hafis.
The earlier softness and peacefulness of the culture has changed completely.
Isn’t it a cause of concern for you.
Radheyshyam-SHAITAN,
One more suggestion to you, please don’t use this are it represents Hindu God and you are not giving due respect to it.
If someone tries to do the same thing you guys will shout that the person is against Islam and whatnot. If you give respect to others then one others will give respect to you, this was taught to me in school.
Hope you understand the point.
Speak free you should replace your name with speak-well.
Nazia,
Why should I do that? Can you please explain.
Read the article below. Good thing to read at for Pakistanis.
Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that if democracy in his country were to fail and if the world community does not help prop Pakistan democracy, then there is the danger of the country’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of Islamic extremists, the Taliban. This is a familiar song out of Pakistan and has been played often in recent years. Zardari is underscoring two key points. One, it is vital that democracy should continue to flourish in Pakistan. No one would argue with that. Second, the global community shares the responsibility to keep democracy alive in the country. This is questionable. There is more than a hint of blackmail in the Pakistani president’s statements.
It is not just Pakistan that is holding out the dire prospect of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of the Taliban. Quite a few of American security experts, inside and outside the Pentagon, have been talking of the danger of the Taliban taking control of the nuclear arsenal. How realistic this is remains unknown, since at the same time, Pakistani authorities have not hesitated to remind us that the country’s command and control structure remains insulated from extremist elements.
Yet, the Pakistanis off and on raise the issue because they want the flow of American aid in arms and money — not just one or the other but the two together — to continue uninterrupted. Pakistan’s generals and politicians benefit from the arms build-up because it gives them an apparent upper hand with regard to traditional rival, India, and they also benefit from the financial aid to keep themselves cocooned in comfort and luxury. That funds meant for other things find their way to defence upgradation in Pakistan is no longer a secret.
In truth, if Zardari and the political class are keen on defending democracy in the country, they cannot hope to do so on the basis of American guns and money. They have to learn to be true to democracy and to the people of the country and they have to strengthen democratic processes and institutions, something that has been largely missing. The world cannot do it for them. It is the sincere commitment of Pakistan’s politicians and the establishment at large towards democracy that is in question. There is no doubt that right now the Taliban threatens Pakistan’s democracy as much as its security. But scaring the world into giving support will not work all the time.
nazia are you being sarcastic to speek free? i guess someone speaking sense or trying to instill some tolerance into others just cant be tolerated by you!
nazia has a problem with everything..she also thinks she is the only nazia in the world and someone else having this name should be put to death or AT LEAST banned by Pakspectator! lol
and honestly, speak free speaks a lot better than YOU!
Dear Prof Kundi,
We in India have much more divisions than your country.But our country held together due to safety valve of DEMOCRACY. A Punjabi sikh or Hindu feels more comfortable with Punjabi Muslim of Pakistan as also a Sindhi or Bengali etc because their culture is one; devided by religion but culturally same.
Your nation has to learn one truth. RELIGION CANNOT BE A UNIFYING FACTOR FOR A NATION OR ENIMITY TO ANOTHER NATION.
See how Imran Khan is against Sindhi MQM though he was an icon for whole Pakistan.That is why yur enemies killed Benazir Bhutto who had the vision and boldness to transcend these divisions.
Also your nation must understand it cannot survive on DOLE FROM FRIENDLY NATIONS LIKE USA,SAUDI ARABIA ETC.It must learn to survive with self respect with its own people’s efforts.
Speak free
you have explained things well that’s why I praised you . There is nothing bad in my intention really .
NAZ
you are my old rival with new name or I find new gladiator for next verbal war.
Nazia,
I just wanted to know what made you say so.
I can very well change my name. to speak well. But I will do that once TPS blocks my name.
Johann
whatever you concluded is strictly ban in our boundaries as religion is always strong tool used by our military establishment to divide Pakistanis as nation.See our history our all deadly clerics that ultimately produced talibans like savages are all time protected by our generals and ISI.
speak free
TPS is very liberal forum and if they did it to you then surely they have solid points for it to restrict you in some limited boundary.As i am not aware of real event and your real name so I cant comment on it.I just praised you above comments or you can say you spoke well on this topic.Thats all nothing more than it.
hahahahaha what a comment …….excellent @ 11…………….