The inauguration was appropriately held at Central Shaheed Minar, which consecrates the memory of students who died in police firing while upholding the pre-eminence of their language, Bengali. The gathering at the Minar beat drums endlessly to open the ears of rulers, as revolutionary Bhagat Singh had done.
The ultimate aim of the forum was to enable a national of each country to get information from another country. Dozens of sessions held at the historic Dhaka University underlined one thing: South Asia should have its own identity which should transcends borders, religions, languages and separate entities. Outlining a potential path for the region to take, representatives of different countries said that, while retaining their sovereignty, the various countries could have an economic union. There could be a common market, common currency and a common visa. Ultimately, there could be one parliament. But this does not mean that individual parliaments would be diluted. There would be separate subjects for regional parliaments and individual countries. The countries in the region would pool their resources so that together they develop South Asia economically, commercially and environmentally. The dictum is: from each according to his capacity and to each according to his necessity.
How to curb national chauvinism and religious identities which have disseminated hatred in the region was the topic of the main discussion. Many speakers said that they would be proud to call themselves South Asians, instead of being called Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or, for that matter, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians. Secularism would be their creed which they would tenaciously follow. I said radical nationalism is not good for such a united South Asia and, we have to have a common legislature to create our own South Asian legislation. I felt that most participants agreed with me but they did say that it looked like a dream which might not come true even in the long-term because, in most South Asian countries, the armed forces have come to enjoy power which they would not easily forsake.
Media was considered a problem because, except Bangladesh where the meeting took place, no other country in the region reported its proceedings. A less important event in Europe was all over the papers and television networks. Two sessions in which I participated related to the right to information and decentralisation of power. On both counts, India was the example before the participants. On the right to information, Indian political and social activist Aruna Roy’s role was praised because she had made such an act possible. I was surprised to know that all countries in South Asia had either promulgated an ordinance or enacted a legislation to have the right to information. “It has deepened democracy,” said a representative of Bangladesh. “It has made governments transparent,” said the information commissioner from Odhisha (formerly Orissa). Yet another person said that the right to information would give voice to the poor and empower them to participate in the affairs of the region to get, at least, a slice of the cake. The plenary session was conducted with determination to work towards the prosperity of South Asia. It was conceded that the governments and the vested interests would come in the way of a new South Asia. Yet there was no dissenting voice to say that it could not be done. Everyone agreed that the common heritage, history stock and geography they shared made them realise that one day they would live peacefully and bid farewell to arms. The outline of the new South Asia they had in mind was a socialist, democratic and secular polity. They realised that it was a well-nigh impossible task, but they were also confident that beyond the mountain, lies a sunny valley.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
COMMENTS (23)
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A common currency would be a mistake. Euro experiment illustrates that. A common parliament might be even bigger pipe-dream.
What we can, and I think must do, is to work towards common visa and irrelevance of borders. We can definitely borrow that page from Europe. More than anything, right now, we need free flow of ideas, money and people across the borders of South Asian countries. This is perhaps the most important first step.
A utopian plan, nevertheless good for discussion purpose.
@G. Din: Thanks for calling a spade a spade. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. These pseudo-internationalists need to let islam run its course before dreaming of a merger.
First of all I want to thank you Mr.Kuldip Nayar to publish my Posting " as it is" though it carried some harsh criticism .Secondly even though We have different views on EU model for South Asia, I personally appreciate the goodness of heart with which Mr. Nayar proposed such a solution. I think the Only reason behind his this dream was to promote Peace and Love. That tells me that he has a wonderful heart. It is irrelevant whether that idea is Politically feasible but no one should ever doubt Mr. Nayar's love for peace and friendship all over the world. We accept his this quality across the Border. A good deed and a Kind heart is always reciprocated.
@G. Din: Yes, I agree, we are saying the same thing or we have same opinion about the issue here. However, I see this whole thing in economic Perspective more than seeing it as a Political issue. But yes, We have the consensus on this.
Let's unite and call the two sections East/West Pakistan. This way we can all be happy.
we already have SAARC!
@Mumbaikar
We all live hoping for a better tomorrow, that's also a dream.
antanu : India not weak?. You must be joking. 500 crores was spent on Ajmal kasab and related court cases. Guess what could have been done with 500 crores, how many farmers'suicides could have been prevented. Isnt that justification enough for my previous post?
@Ghaznavi
Replace 'India' with 'Pakistan' and vice-versa and replace 'raja and maharaja' with 'nawab and sultan' and the reread your comments. You will see a very familiar face staring at you.
At least there is some unity in India: their collective hate and obsession with Pakistan and anything Pakistani. Only Pakistan is uniting India together. Otherwise hundreds of raja and maharajas will be ruling the roost as they always have in India.
@vasan: India is not so weak Mr.Vasan...it can face up any eventualities..only other smaller countries will loose if something goes wrong...or....you feel India is not strong enough to stand up?
@You Said It: You cant progress untill the stability is achieved...and United South Asia is a bright vision for the purpose
Media was considered a problem because, except Bangladesh where the meeting took place, no other country in the region reported its proceedings.
You flatter yourself. The media is not the problem -- it just knows a cuckoo when it sees one.
"No dream is too far if one has the passion and the endurance to persue it." Hats off to Kuldip Nayyar for dreaming this dream. We have no choice but to move towards the realisation of this dream.
Give me a break kuldip nayar. Let the nascent nationalism in south asia run it's course before you start talking about a re-union. I guess you need to learn and read up on the history of the world besides the communist/socialist/utopian bubble you live in.
European countries are questioning the decision to have a common market and comon currency and you think that such an idea can be implemented in tis subcontinent?
@Ummar Zia: Its a wrong argument. Nationalism has not been present in Pakistan only, It's also present in India and More than Pakistan and Also in USA in its extreme form and in all Parts of the world whether it is China or Japan or Iran. There is nothing wrong with loving your county. Everybody loves it. A United SOUTH ASIA is not the solution for this region. United in the sense which you are taking countries to, is not the solution. That model will never work. And there is a fundamental reasons for that. I know that this idea is being borrower from EU and cleverly is being Pushed to South Asia to establish Indian Hegemony over the region and countries.It will be India who will be benefited with that and it will bring numerous issues that will be hard to manage. So this approach is not workable and should be rejected right away. I will quote an example here which will explain why not? Look at EU countries and tell me Why they do not accept Russia in EU? That will answer all questions here because it draws the parallel bet these two arguments. Therefore as EU can not accept Russia as a member of EU, with the same token South Asian Countries can not welcome India on EU model. All other Options are open in which trade among member countries be promoted more and tariffs can be reduced but Visas and all other restrictions must remain.
@G. Din: No. Let's call it Narendra Modistan or RSSistan, Or Perhaps Col.Prohitistan? Please talk sense. But do not worry, It is not going to happen anyway. South Asian countries are not going to accept an EU model here. For obvious reasons , read above.
He wants to create an akhand bharat through the back door...
Good article. Great thoughts but hard to implement. Not only will we need a change of government, but also a change of thought for all nations involved.
@Kuldip Nayar sahab Its becoming a Dream of black rights activist Martin luther king of america unity of indian sub contienent.
That dictum is very likely to bring anarchists to their feet. Sloppy nationalism has led Pakistan to chaos-and we had to learn this the hard way. A United South Asia from common market and beyond is the only way forward. Europe saw that. Its only a matter of time we do as well !