Rajnath Singh's Veiled Attack On Pakistan During Bangladesh Liberation War Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Rajnath Singh said that there is a need to keep the spirit of the Bangladesh liberation war alive in minds of the younger generation, especially those who join the armed forces.
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday attended the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day event at the High Commission here in New Delhi where he recalled the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.
The Bangladesh liberation war was an unprecedented event of the 20th century as it was a "moral fight" against injustice, atrocities and oppression, Defence Minister said, according to PTI.
According to ANI, the year 2021 is of special significance as both countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations which also coincides with the Golden Jubilee of Liberation of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh is observed each year on November 21. Given the special significance of this year, Defence Minister was invited to attend the event at the High Commission.
He said India's response to the events of 1971 was a reflection of "a civilisation more than a mere matter of state policy". For India, ties with Bangladesh are always special and go beyond just a strategic partnership, Singh added.
"The Bangladesh War of Liberation was an unprecedented event in the 20th-century history for many reasons. It was a moral fight against injustice, atrocities and oppression," he said at the event organised to mark the Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh
Rajnath Singh said that there is a need to keep the spirit of the Bangladesh liberation war alive in minds of the younger generation, especially those who join the armed forces.
"It is all the more important, because the forces which brought untold atrocities and miseries on Bangladesh in 1971, and the forces against whom we spilt our blood together, are far from finished and gone," he said.
"They are lurking around us in different forms and excuses, but indistinguishable from their past in spewing hatred, intolerance and violence. Our tasks are no less formidable than they were in 1971," the defence minister added.
The Defence Minister also expressed his interest in working closely with Bangladesh and support each other's defence and security concerns. He said he is India is deeply sensitive to the security and development concerns of its neighbours and it hopes for a reciprocal level of sensitivity on the part of the neighbours.
"In this context, it is critical for our armed forces to remain engaged with each other for mutual capability enhancement, to respond to contingencies and to realise the shared goals of providing security and prosperity to our peoples," he said.
"For India, the success of Bangladesh is a reminder of the just cause we stood for. Bangladesh's success is our own success and in our own interest. India-Bangladesh bilateral ties have been passing through a 'shonali adhyay' -- golden phase," he added.
Singh also paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers of the Indian armed forces who stood steadfast with Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
After the event, the Defence Minister tweeted, "Attended the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day event today at the High Commission of Bangladesh. Recalled the heroic fight by the Muktibahini and the Indian Armed Forces in the Liberation of Bangladesh. The spirit of 1971 continues to nourish India-Bangladesh relations".
Bangladesh Liberation war
During the 1971 War, Indian and Bangladesh forces were put under a joint command structure led by Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, and this force came to be known as Mitro Bahini. Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the "Mukti Bahini" on December 16, 1971, which paved the way for the birth of Bangladesh.
Pakistan Army started a genocidal campaign in East Bengal in March 1971. A total of 3 million people were killed and over 200,000 women were raped with horrific brutality by the Pakistan Army. Over 10 million people from East Bengal took refuge in India fleeing from Pakistani atrocities.
The day of November 21 is of historical significance as this day coincides with the epic Battle of Garibpur during the 1971 war, when armed forces of India supported by Bangladesh Liberation Forces undertook heroic pre-emptive actions to foil Pakistani offensives and took an edge over the Pakistani forces in the war. India provided moral and material support to the "Muktijoddhas" in their struggle for independence.
Over 1650 Indian soldiers made supreme sacrifices fighting for the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
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