Amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, struggle veterans of 1971 gathered at Fort William in Kolkata as a part of the Vijay Diwas celebration by the Indian Military’s Jap Command on Monday.
“You possibly can change your loved ones, however geographically, your neighbours will stay your neighbours. We nonetheless acquired the identical wonderful hospitality from India. We in Bangladesh are a really progressive group not like what’s perceived. Bangladesh and India will develop into good neighbours once more. Our enemy is poverty, not one another. We are going to develop collectively. Our enemy is people who find themselves anti-history. We, the individuals of Bangladesh, should not anti-Hindu,” mentioned Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahar, a veteran who reached Kolkata from Dhaka in Bangladesh on Sunday.
The occasion was attended by a number of dignitaries, together with army leaders from each nations. Veterans expressed concern over the present geopolitical state of affairs and known as for renewed efforts to foster peace and cooperation between the 2 nations. A bit of struggle veterans mentioned they really feel heartbroken and reiterated that “India is a part of the historical past of Bangladesh historical past, and historical past can’t be denied”.
“I used to be from the Pakistan para brigade when the struggle began. I made a decision to not be with Pakistan. I crossed the Jammu-Kashmir border. I introduced the longer term battle plan from Pakistan and gave it to the Indian Military. That’s the rationale they gave me a Padmashree, as overseas army troopers can’t get it. On the time Pakistan was very indignant at me. Togetherness issues… 1971 was the best and most traditional victory in world historical past. When the Indian Military entered Bangladesh not a single homicide or rape occurred. We respect the Indian Military and our subsequent era can even proceed to respect them,” mentioned Zahar.
Brigadier Common Mohammed Aminur Rehaman, Director of the Military Veteran Directorate in Bangladesh, mentioned, “It’s a nice day for us. At this time’s celebration has reminded us of a historic occasion.”
ABM Nurul Alam, a fellow veteran, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the robust bond between the 2 nations. “We love India, we love Indian Folks and the Indian Military. Individuals who deny historical past are hostile, not peace-loving individuals,” he mentioned.
Wing Commander (Retired) D J Kler highlighted the sacrifices made by each nations. “My father is named the liberator of Bangladesh. He bought the Mahavir Chakra for the Battle of Jamalpur. It breaks your coronary heart to see we’re again at sq. one. We’re again to the identical state of affairs after we went to avoid wasting them from genocide.”
“Minorities in Bangladesh are peace-loving individuals. What have they accomplished?” he mentioned.
Anwara Begum, the spouse of a struggle veteran, expressed hope for the longer term. “India and Bangladesh are brothers. We don’t get bothered by the present state of affairs. Insha Allah, all shall be high-quality quickly. It causes ache, and it’s additionally heartbreaking for many people,” she mentioned.
Main Common Abdul Salam Chaudhury (Retd) from Bangladesh mentioned the 2 nations share a “robust bond”. “There are vested curiosity teams who create false narratives for their very own achieve. The true story is way completely different, in my perception. The connection between India and Bangladesh is robust and can final without end,” Chaudhary mentioned.
When questioned about at this time’s state of affairs in Bangladesh, Zahar mentioned, “Historical past takes completely different turns at instances. Let’s not be demoralised. Those that are denying historical past should not proper. We’re good neighbours and that is the one reality. In a democratic society, individuals have completely different opinions however we’re struggle veterans and we can’t deny India’s contribution. India and Bangladesh are pleasant neighbours, it’s the reality and let’s observe the reality.”
Governor C V Ananda Bose, in the meantime, mentioned: “India is aware of the way in which and exhibits the way in which.”
For the previous 5 a long time, India has invited Mukti Yoddhas — members of the Mukti Bahini, the Bangladeshi guerrilla resistance power that fought alongside Indian forces within the 1971 struggle — to take part within the celebrations. This yr, regardless of preliminary uncertainty, the Jap Command hosted the Bangladesh delegates with a lot grandeur.
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