by B, R, GOWANI
3 persons
2 on one side
1 on the other side
that 1 is a minority
1/3rd or 33%
of course, a substantial minority
but if that 1 has power
political, military, financial, or speaking
(i.e., bullshitting or bigotry, mostly)
then 1 can get other 2
or at least 1 on her/his side
and can become a majority
in some cases
through the use of sheer force
1 alone can act like a majority
such as South Africa with apartheid
or pre-1971 Pakistan
pre-1947
there was neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh
but just India
British, Hindu, Muslim leaders
all contributed to fan communalism
thus creating a demand
for a religion-based division of India
India had about 1/3rd Muslims
post Partition, 2/3rd opted for Pakistan
less than half in West Pakistan
more than half in East Pakistan
now the ethnic power play emerged
the West based Punjabis, 27% of the population
became the Masters of both wings
East Pakistan had over 50% Bengalis
1971 saw East becoming Bangladesh
over 1% are indigenous people in Bangladesh
no better than their counterparts elsewhere
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com