Simple Question of Recognition

'Simple' Question of Recognition K P Karunakaran THERE is a lot of loose talk hi the country about the recognition of Bangla Desh. Very few of its champions are aware of the serious implications inherent in such a move. While some may he satisfied with the merely formal recognition of the revolutionary regime, others would like the Indian Government to go further and ensure that the military Government of Pakistan is ousted from East Bengal and the Bangla Desh Government is installed at Dacca. Many arguments have been put forward in favour of these steps, some of them based on humanitarian grounds. Many votaries of the policy of recognition by India focus their attention on the tremendous problems India is facing as a result of the influx of refugees; another group of people are happy at the prospect of weakening Pakistan. They hope this will lead to Pakistan's disintegration. This hope is not merely a hangover from the past; it is the result of the genuine belief that, a strong Pakistan will always create one problem or another for India. All these groups together strengthen the demand for recognition of Bangla Desh.