India on December 16, celebrates Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak War, and pays tribute to the real heroes of India and bangladesh who sacrificed their lives in the line of dutt and those who took part in the Liberation War.
The ‘liberation war’ in the then East Pakistan was initiated after Pakistan ill-treated its Bengali speaking population and undermined elections results in the region. The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had expressed India’s full support for the liberation war in Bangladesh.
What happened in 1971?
* Prior to 1971, Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan, which was called ‘East Pakistan’.
* Reports have claimed that people of ‘East Pakistan’ were beaten, exploited, raped and murdered by the Pakistani Army.
* India supported Bangladesh against Pakistan’s oppression in ‘East Pakistan’.
* There was huge discontent against the military ruler of Pakistan, General Ayub Khan, in ‘East Pakistan’.
* On December 3, 1971, the government of India ordered the Indian Army to declare war against Pakistan to save people of ‘East Pakistan’.
* This war was fought under the leadership of Field Marshal Manekshaw. More than 1400 soldiers of India were martyred during this war.
* On 16 December 1971, about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lit up the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the National War Memorial in Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
Prime Minister Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the venue. The Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff and Tri-Service Chiefs also laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen soldiers.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the logo for ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
Four Victory Mashaals were lit from the Eternal Flame of National War Memorial. These Mashaals will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War.
