Potraying and visiting, "Stop
Genocide": A demand to stop
mercilessness and injustice- A
Zahir Raihan documentary of
1971 Bangladesh Liberation
War.
- -Simanta Nandi & Richik
Bhattacharyya
Potraying and visiting, "Stop Genocide": A demand to
stop mercilessness and injustice- A Zahir Raihan
documentary of 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
- -Simanta Nandi & Richik Bhattacharyya
Abstract :
This abstract analyzes the significance of the 1971 documentary film
"Stop Genocide" by filmmaker Zahir Raihan in the context of the
liberation war of Bangladesh. Using a textual analysis approach, the
study will examines the documentary's narrative structure, visual
language, and political messaging. The paper will begins by
contextualizing the historical and political context of the liberation
war of Bangladesh and the role of media and cultural productions in
shaping public opinion and political discourse. The study will
highlights the significance of "Stop Genocide" as a powerful visual
representation of the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military
against the Bengali population. The research paper will analyzes the
formal and narrative elements of the documentary, including its use of
eyewitness accounts, archival footage, and powerful visual imagery.
The study will examines how the film constructs a narrative of
resistance and solidarity, while also highlighting the horrors of war
and the humanitarian crisis faced by the Bengali population.
The paper will also explores the political messaging of the
documentary, including its critique of the Pakistani military and its
call for international solidarity and support for the Bengali people.
The study examines the film's impact on public opinion and political
mobilization, both in Bangladesh and internationally, and its role in
shaping the historical memory and cultural identity of the liberation
war. The research paper will further examines the documentary's
legacy and influence in contemporary cultural and political discourse,
including its relevance to ongoing struggles for justice, accountability,
and human rights in Bangladesh and beyond.
In conclusion, the paper will argues for the continued importance and
relevance of "Stop Genocide" as a powerful cultural artifact and
political statement. The study highlights the potential of visual media
and cultural productions in shaping historical memory, political
discourse, and social mobilization. Ultimately, the paper calls for a
society that values artistic expression, cultural diversity, and social
justice, and recognizes the power of cultural productions to shape
public opinion and political action.
Main paper :
The year of 1971 is of much importance to the modern socio-political-
economic-cultural world for showing off the new and more horrific
aspects of the post-colonial world. The Bangladesh Liberation War is
the perfect example of what today the word ‘Freedom’ describes
thoroughly. But, in the gain of independence from the authoritarian
West Pakistan under General Yahiya Khan acme to then, East
Pakistan (now, Bangladesh) as a truly form of turbulence and
informal tortures. The ‘Genocidal’ structure comprising of the
inhuman millions killings of innocents, destroying the properties,
damaging youths, raping of women were of the most important as
well common issue at that time. The Bangladeshi liberators were
massacared by the West Pakistani military forces in order to suppress
the uprisings caused by the language barriers. The language and
cultural indifference and inequalities between the two pakistans
separated by thousands of kilometres were the burning fire problem.
The dictorial regime to oppose and armed suppress the Bengali
minorities of the bigger east Pakistan by majority of urdu west
Pakistani military occupants were also severely criticised by the
international viewpoints. India standing between the two Pakistan was
burdened by the survivor migrants who fled the east Pakistan in order
to save themselves by the west Pakistani military occupants. The
genocide which was mainly responsible for this military aggression
has had a devastating impact on the minority communities even inside
the east Pakistan, particularly the hindus. Thousands of people have
been killed or forced to flee their homes, resulting in the displacement
of entire communities. The attacks have also had a profound
psychological impact with many people living in terror for them and
the their loved ones’ lives. The genocide has also had wider
implications for the geographical location of the Bangladesh. It is a
strategically impotant country, with a large population and a
significant economic presence. The violence and instability in
Bangladesh could have a ripple effect on the entire region, causing
further unrest and instability for the economic giants at that particular
timespan. The giant political powers tried their best to suppress the
unrest by claiming the freedom to Bangladesh which temporarily
made the west Pakistan to clear off but the war effects and the
genocidal counterparts severely broke newly formed Bangladesh and
neighbour state, india.
Zahir Raihan, one of the leading filmmakers of Bangladesh,
documented the genocide in his documentary film, "Stop Genocide."
This paper will examine the film and its significance in highlighting
the atrocities committed during the war.
The Bangladesh Liberation War began on March 26, 1971, when the
Pakistani army launched a military operation to crush the Bengali
nationalist movement. The Bengalis had been agitating for greater
autonomy and political rights, but the Pakistani government refused to
grant their demands. The military crackdown led to a mass exodus of
Bengalis to India, where they received refuge and support from the
Indian government.
In 1947, India was partitioned, and Pakistan was created as a separate
Muslim state. At the time of partition, the region of Bengal was
divided into two parts, East Bengal (later East Pakistan) and West
Bengal (later part of India). East Pakistan was populated
predominantly by Bengali-speaking Muslims, while West Pakistan
was dominated by Urdu-speaking Muslims. The two regions were
separated by a thousand miles of Indian territory, making it difficult
for East Pakistanis to travel to West Pakistan.
The East Pakistanis were marginalized by the West Pakistanis, who
held most of the power and resources in the country. The East
Pakistanis were denied adequate representation in government, and
their economic and social needs were largely ignored. This led to
growing resentment and demands for greater autonomy, and
eventually, calls for independence.
In 1970, a general election was held in Pakistan, and the Awami
League, a Bengali nationalist party, won a landslide victory in East
Pakistan. However, the West Pakistani rulers refused to recognize the
election result and instead launched a brutal crackdown on the
Bengali population.
The Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight on March 25,
1971, with the aim of suppressing the Bengali independence
movement. The operation involved the arrest and execution of Awami
League leaders, intellectuals, and anyone suspected of supporting the
independence movement. The military also targeted Bengali Hindus,
who were seen as sympathetic to the independence movement.
Bengali Hindus were subjected to widespread rape, torture, and
murder.
The Pakistani military also targeted the general population, launching
a campaign of terror to intimidate and subdue the Bengalis. They
burned down villages, raped women, and killed indiscriminately. The
Pakistani military used rape as a weapon of war, and estimates
suggest that as many as 200,000 women were raped during the nine-
month-long genocide.
The Pakistani military also targeted children, using them as human
shields, and even killing them in cold blood. The atrocities committed
by the Pakistani military were on a scale rarely seen in modern
history.
Despite the scale and brutality of the genocide, the international
community failed to intervene. The United States, the United
Kingdom, and China all supported Pakistan during the conflict, while
the Soviet Union and India supported the Bengalis.
The United States, in particular, was heavily criticized for its role in
the conflict. The Nixon administration, in an effort to maintain its
relationship with Pakistan, ignored reports of the genocide and even
supplied weapons to the Pakistani military. The US State Department
estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 Bengalis were killed
during the conflict, but the US government did little to stop the
violence.
The United Nations also failed to intervene in the conflict, despite the
fact that the genocide was a clear violation of international law. The
UN Security Council passed a resolution in April 1971 calling for an
end to the violence, but the resolution was vetoed by China.
As the war escalated, the Pakistani army began targeting Bengali
civilians, accusing them of supporting the separatist movement. They
launched a campaign of rape, torture, and murder, which became
known as the "Rape of Bangladesh" or the "Bangladesh Genocide."
The Pakistani army also targeted intellectuals and professionals,
whom they saw as a threat to their control over the region.
Zahir Raihan was a renowned filmmaker, writer, and intellectual who
had been active in the Bengali nationalist movement. He had been in
India during the war, but returned to Bangladesh in 1971 to document
the atrocities being committed by the Pakistani army. He filmed "Stop
Genocide" in secret, using a hidden camera and risking his life to
capture footage of the genocide.
The film begins with a scene of a mass grave, where the bodies of
Bengali civilians are being buried. Raihan then interviews survivors
of the genocide, who recount their harrowing experiences at the hands
of the Pakistani army. They describe how they were tortured, raped,
and forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their families and
possessions.
Raihan also interviews intellectuals and professionals who had been
targeted by the Pakistani army. They speak about the importance of
preserving Bengali culture and language, and their determination to
continue the struggle for independence.
"Stop Genocide" was a significant contribution to the Bangladesh
Liberation War, as it provided a powerful and poignant platform for
the survivors' voices. The documentary captured the essence of the
conflict and portrayed the suffering of the Bengali people. The film's
impact was felt both nationally and internationally, as it brought the
attention of the world to the crisis in Bangladesh and the need to end
the violence. The documentary also helped to mobilize support for the
Bengali people's struggle for independence and highlighted the
importance of social justice and human rights. Zahir Raihan's work
continues to be an inspiration for filmmakers, activists, and artists
around the world, who use their talents to expose the realities of war
and promote peace and social justice.
The impact of "Stop Genocide" was significant, as it brought the
attention of the world to the plight of the Bengali people and the
atrocities committed during the war. The documentary helped to
mobilize the international community to take action against the
Pakistani army's brutalities and played a significant role in ending the
conflict. "Stop Genocide" also had a profound impact on the survivors
and their families, as it provided a platform for their stories to be
heard and their suffering to be acknowledged. The documentary gave
voice to those who had been silenced and served as a symbol of hope
and resilience in the face of adversity.
While "Stop Genocide" was a powerful and significant contribution to
the Bangladesh Liberation War, it also had its limitations. The
documentary focused primarily on the violence and suffering of the
Bengali people and did not explore the complexities of the conflict
fully. It did not address the political and economic factors that led to
the war, and it did not provide a comprehensive analysis of the events
leading up to the conflict. Additionally, the documentary was created
during the war and did not capture the aftermath or the impact of the
conflict on the survivors and their families. The film was limited in its
scope and did not offer a complete understanding of the Bangladesh
Liberation War.
The Pakistani Army's tactics during the nine-month war in
Bangladesh were genocidal in nature. The military targeted Bengali
civilians, intellectuals, and political activists, and engaged in mass
killings, rape, torture, and forced displacement. The military also set
up internment camps where thousands of Bengalis were held in
inhumane conditions, and subjected to torture, rape, and summary
executions.
Despite the lack of international recognition, the genocide in
Bangladesh has been recognized by several countries and
international organizations. In 2017, the Canadian parliament passed a
motion recognizing the genocide and calling on the government to
"acknowledge the crimes against humanity committed during the
1971 Bangladesh genocide." The European Parliament also passed a
resolution in 2018 calling on Pakistan to recognize the genocide and
to apologize for the atrocities committed by its military.
However, Pakistan has never officially acknowledged its
responsibility for the genocide. The country's military and political
establishment have consistently denied the scale of the atrocities, and
have even attempted to portray the conflict as a civil war rather than a
genocide. This denial has prevented the victims of the genocide from
receiving justice and reparations, and has also perpetuated a culture of
impunity for the perpetrators.
One of the most notorious incidents of the genocide was the massacre
at the University of Dhaka on March 25, 1971. The Pakistani Army
attacked the university, killing students, professors, and staff members
indiscriminately. The army also targeted hospitals and other civilian
institutions, killing patients and medical staff. The military also used
rape as a weapon of war, with an estimated 200,000-400,000 women
and girls raped during the conflict.
What number of us are familiar Neville Anthony Mascarenhas??
He was the primary columnist to universally uncover the size of
Pakistani severity against Bangladeshis in 1971. UK's "Sunday
Times" was quick to distribute his article on thirteenth June 1971
named "Genocide".
In 1971, after the beginning of the freedom battle, for clear reasons
Pakistan ousted all unfamiliar writers from Bangladesh. In any case,
they needed to offer a publicity to the outside against the resistances
Bangladesh Awami Association and political dissidents. To achieve
this objective they picked 8 Pakistani columnists and gave them a
multi day visit through the region.
One of those 8 reporters was Neville Anthony Mascarenhas. After the
visit different writers composed what Pakistan needed. Yet, Mr.
Anthony denied (presumably in light of the fact that he was not a
"muslim" or a "real Pakistani", that is the reason).
He needed to expound on the thing was truly occurring.
He realized he was unable to expound on the Pakistani monstrosities
while living in Pakistan. Thus, he traveled to UK, claiming to visit his
wiped out sister. Subsequent to showing up in London, he straight
went to the manager of "Sunday Times". The manager's name was
Harold Evans. He vowed to distribute Anthony's story. Be that as it
may, Anthony's family needed to get away from Karachi first.
In the long run his entire family figured out how to leave Pakistan and
one of the most compelling article of the earlier century was
distributed.
The film ends with a call to the international community to intervene
and stop the genocide. Raihan appeals to viewers to support the cause
of Bengali independence and to condemn the atrocities being
committed by the Pakistani army.
"Stop Genocide" is a powerful documentary that provides a rare and
unflinching glimpse into the horrors of the Bangladesh Genocide. It is
a testament to the courage and resilience of the Bengali people, who
despite being subjected to unimaginable violence, remained
committed to their cause.
The film also highlights the role of intellectuals and professionals in
the struggle for independence. By targeting them, the Pakistani army
sought to eliminate the leadership of the Bengali nationalist
movement. However, their sacrifice and determination inspired others
to join the struggle and continue the fight for independence.
"Stop Genocide" also underscores the importance of documentation in
exposing and condemning atrocities. Raihan's film was one of the first
to document the Bangladesh Genocide, and it played a crucial role in
raising international awareness of the conflict. It also served as
evidence of the war crimes committed by the Pakistani army, and was
used in the war crimes tribunal that was established after the war.
The documentary "Stop Genocide" was a powerful tool for raising
awareness about the atrocities committed during the 1971 Bangladesh
Liberation War. It provided a platform for the survivors to share their
stories and exposed the world to the horrors of the genocide. The film
played a significant role in bringing the international community's
attention to the crisis in Bangladesh and helped to mobilize support
for the Bengali people's struggle for independence. Zahir Raihan's
documentary is a testament to the power of art in creating social
change and serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during
the war. It is important that we continue to remember the lessons of
the past and work towards a future free from violence and injustice.
Bio-note :
Simanta Nandi is a first-year Undergraduate student from
Department of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University. He
is a writer of short stories, poems, analytical essays, criticism
article. He is content writer in The Times of India, Youth Ki
Awaz and etc. He working as a volunteer at CRY. He has
research interests in various subjects like – Literature, Politics,
Economics, Various controversial matter of nationally and
internationally and so on. He is awarded from ‘Oxford
University Press-2021’, ‘Times of India-2021’ for his literary
works. He is author of the year 2021 and also 2022- Nominee
from Storymirror. He writes at various reputed web portals and
various magazines in West Bengal. He is also the executive
editor of a little magazine. His first published book- “Dhaner
Niche Klanto Machranga’’, Published from Kochipata
publication at International Kolkata Book Fair- 2023.
Richik Bhattacharyya is a first-year student in the Department of
Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University, Kol-32. Achieved
several awards in recitation.Have written poem in many reputed
magazines of West Bengal. Like to read and write poems. Have
a keen interest in comics literature such as japanese manga and
Historical prescribed literatures. Main hobbies are to play guitar,
draw anime figures and reading.
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