The article was based on total ignorance and was misleading.
KARACHI: This is with reference to Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article “Shahbag Sqaure — why we Pakistanis don’t know and don’t care” (February 16). This article of his was later featured by the Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star. The article was based on total ignorance and was misleading. Dr Hoodbhoy talked about what is taught in Pakistani schools about East Pakistan. Does he know about the venom that is spewed in Bangladeshi schools against Pakistan? He knows about the excesses of the Pakistan Army against the rebels. Does he know about the wanton massacre, rape and, above all, inhuman torture of non-Bengalis — West Pakistanis and Biharis — by the Awami League and Mukti Bahini cadres? I know of all this because I have seen it happen. I know of all this because one of my relatives and his entire family was massacred in Santahar. Does Dr Hoodbhoy know that there was an operation against Biharis in Mirpur (Dhaka), which led to disappearances of the young men living in the area, and ultimately, all Biharis were driven away from their homes?
And, does Dr Hoodbhoy know about the slogans against Pakistan that are being raised at Shahbag? My humble request to Pakistan’s angst-filled pundits is to please stop mouthing inanities because you do not know and you do not care.
SG Jilanee
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2013.
