1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India | Anam Zakria and Aasim Sajjad Akhtar

The year 1971 exists everywhere in Bangladesh – on its roads, in sculptures, in its museums and oral history projects, in its curriculum, in people’s homes and their stories, and in political discourse. It marks the birth of the nation, it’s liberation. More than 1000 miles away, in Pakistan too, 1971 marks a watershed moment, its memories sitting uncomfortably in public imagination. It is remembered as the ‘Fall of Dacca’, the dismemberment of Pakistan or the third Indo-Pak war. In India, 1971 represents something else-the story of humanitarian intervention, of triumph and valour that paved the way for India’s rise as a military power, the beginning of its journey to becoming a regional superpower.

Navigating the widely varied terrain that is 1971 across Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, Anam Zakaria sifts through three distinct state narratives, and studies the institutionalization of the memory of the year and its events. Through a personal journey, she juxtaposes state narratives with people’s history on the ground, bringing forth the nuanced experiences of those who lived through the war. Using intergenerational interviews, textbook analyses, visits to schools and travels to museums and sites commemorating 1971, Zakaria explores the ways in which 1971 is remembered and forgotten across countries, generations and communities.

Dr. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar will join the session as a discussant.

About the Author:

Anam Zakaria is a dedicated researcher, development professional, and passionate educator, specializing in oral histories and identity politics. With a profound focus on trauma and healing within conflict zones, Zakaria's work delves into the profound impacts of historical events on individuals and communities. Her exceptional expertise led to the publication of her first book, "The Footprints of Partition: Narratives of Four Generations of Pakistanis and Indians," which garnered recognition, including the prestigious KLF-German Peace Prize in 2017.

About the discussant:

Dr. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar is an esteemed educator, progressive politician, and renowned columnist hailing from Pakistan. With a strong commitment to social justice and equality, Akhtar holds the position of associate professor of political economy at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.