LEAF FROM DIARY: Revisiting Liberation of Bangladesh
It is saddening that despite our role in the liberation of Bangladesh the interim and the present regime both seem to be somewhat negative regarding India.
Dr. Karan Singh
As the only living member of Shrimati Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet during Bangladesh Liberation, I feel compelled to make some remarks regarding that country. To begin with let me say that had it not been for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman there would have been no Bangladesh. When a respected Bangladeshi called on me recently, I told him frankly how shocked I was when I saw a news telecast showing some people breaking Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue with a hammer. I said that this would be as if someone in India were to break Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.
After Gen. Tikka Khan’s atrocities in East Pakistan, lakhs of refugees started pouring into India. Their number swelled to over several million and we were all wondering when Indira ji would decide to intervene. As advised by the Chief of Army Staff General Manekshaw, she waited until the rivers had subsided after the monsoons. The war itself was brilliantly executed by the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, and total victory was achieved in 15 days when Genl. Niazi of the Pakistan army on 16 Dec. 1971 surrendered to Gen. Aurora, along with 93,000 soldiers, leaving hundreds of square kilometers in our possession.
It is difficult for present generations to realise the tremendous joy that we felt with the emergence of Bangladesh. I was in the Lok Sabha when Shrimati Indira Gandhi, who seldom displayed any emotions, virtually ran into the House and said “Mr. Speaker, I have an announcement to make”. The House turned deadly silent and she said The Indian Army and Mukti Bahini have emerged victorious. Dhaka is now the free capital of a free country or words to that effect. The House exploded in joy as did the entire country.
It is saddening that despite our role in the liberation of Bangladesh the interim and the present regime both seem to be somewhat negative regarding India. As far as Sheikh Hasina is concerned, whatever her faults may have been, she is Sheikh Mujib’s surviving daughter and was Prime Minister for 15 years. It is a miracle that she escaped narrowly, thereby saving her life. The question of India extraditing her, of course, does not arise as that would be against all our traditions of hospitality and protection. If she herself decides to return despite the grave danger to her life, it is her own decision. To sum up I would say that although there is no such thing as gratitude in politics, I do feel that the government and people of Bangladesh should recall India’s role in the creation of their country.
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE)
