New Delhi: Drawing a comparison between the fights Lord Ram fight in Sri Lanka and Lord Krishna’s fight in Mathura, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the Indian armed forces did the same in Bangladesh in 1971.
While speaking at the inaugural session of three-day conclave under Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations at Yelahanka Air Base. It was organised to celebrate the comprehensive victory of Indian armed forces that led to the birth of Bangladesh.
"1971 war was not fought for taking land, or gaining control of skies... the main objective of the war was humanity and upholding the highest traditions of democracy. The neighbouring country which imposes martial law and emergency rule, instead of handing over power to Banga Bandhu's party leaders had put them in jail. To put an end to human suffering and genocide caused by neighbouring country was the 'Raja Dharma' (duty of a ruler) and 'Rashtra Dharma' (duty of a nation) of our country," he said, as quoted by IANS.
He said that whenever there is a necessity, India has stood with justice and humanity.
"The 1971 war was fought on this basis. Even today, the country is treading the same path and in future also it will continue to be on the same path," he noted.
About the 1971 war, Rajnath Singh said India had to manage on many fronts, and the victory would not have been possible without politico-military synergy.
"On one hand we had to support the Mukti Bahini movement, on the other hand, we had to deal with lakhs of refugees on the East Pakistan border. The fourth was to ensure China does not meddle on the northern front and India was also obliged to retain its credibility with the international community," he said.