The Pact for Harmony

A life-changing pact between the two South-Asian nations India and Pakistan, the Liaquat-Nehru bilateral treaty was vital for minorities and refugees.

Indian PM Nehru and Pakistani PM Liaquat Ali Khan signing the Pact; Source: Public Domain

Exactly 71 years ago, two newly born nations came together to settle an issue, an issue that separated them in the first place. This pact was peacefully resting in its grave until it was recently dug up in the Indian political scenario with crowds flocking the streets to protest against the new Citizen Amendment Act with the world setting its eyes upon Shaheen Bagh.

While a heated discussion was taking place in the Indian Parliament, the age-old Nehru-Liaquat Pact was invoked by Home Minister Amit Shah defending the CAA. He stated that as Pakistan has failed to honour its agreement, the Modi government is correcting a historical wrong by giving refuge to the minority communities which are being persecuted in Islamic countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.

The British in their haste to leave India didn’t think about the partition thoroughly and the partition turned out to be a disaster affecting millions and the minority communities in both countries were left at the mercy of majority communities.

The exodus of Hindus and other minorities from Pakistan and of Muslims to Pakistan created a serious refugee crisis for both countries.

The conditions between the two countries were deteriorating with constant attacks on minorities and the invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan further severed the ties, at one point both countries even cut off their economic ties.

There was complete animosity between the people of the two countries because of the communal violence that had traumatized them, but the leadership was more mature and dialogue between Nehru and Liaquat began. By April 1950, they reached an agreement by which:

• The Minority rights had to be protected by the state.

• Refugees were allowed to return to get rid of their property unmolested.

• Curtail the religious fear amongst the minorities.

• Return the looted wealth and abducted women.

• And most importantly to promote peace and harmony between communities.

The pact was supposed to build confidence in the minority communities for which minority commissions were appointed in both countries.

This pact was revolutionary which was hailed by many as well as opposed by many. The Pact created quite a stir in the Indian Parliament. Many were in opposition to the signing of this pact stating that Pakistan will never abide by the pact. In fact, this is the same pact because of which Shyama Prasad Mukherji resigned from Nehru’s Cabinet and later formed the Bhartiya Jan Sangh, which is the progenitor of BJP. Peculiarly, even Sardar Patel had opposed it stating that Pakistan will never respect the Pact.

The Pact still remains imprinted on paper. However, the people of both countries are still not convinced of the communal harmony which is supposed to exist between its neighbours.