Famous painting showing surrender at Dhaka relocated to Manekshaw centre
A famous painting, depicting signing of documents following the surrender of the Pakistan Army at Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1971, was relocated to the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment on Monday.
The painting was earlier installed at the meeting lounge at the office of the Indian Army Chief on the first floor of the South Block, the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.
Last week, its replacement with another painting had caused a furore among veterans with several questioning the need to remove the painting.
The Indian Army said on Monday that on the occasion of Vijay Diwas – that marks the victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war -- Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and his spouse Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting to its most befitting place, the Manekshaw Centre, named after the architect and the hero of 1971 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Several senior serving officers and Veterans were present at the occasion. The Manekshaw centre located on the Delhi-Gurugram road is glass façade building were several events are hosted by the three services.
The Army post on X said: “This painting is a testament to one of the greatest military victories of Indian Armed forces and the commitment of India for justice and humanity for all. Its placement at the Manekshaw Centre New Delhi will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audience and dignitaries from India and abroad at this venue”.
Last week, a change of this painting from a wall in the Army Chief’s office had triggered a slew of comments on social media.
On December 11, photographs were released of Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi meeting his Nepal counterpart General Ashok Raj Sigdel. Also, seen in the picture were the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dk Tripathi and the Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
The four has posed for a customary photo – as it is done in all such visits -- the backdrop was a painting on the wall. It depicted tanks operating near the Pangong Tso, a lake at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. The painting also depicted Lord Krishna to one side and showcased latest armed helicopters. This new picture has come up as replacement of the painting depicting ‘surrender at Dhaka’.
Sources said paintings in the Amry Chief’s office keep changing, the one depicting the surrender at Dhaka was put up a few years ago. The latest painting simultaneously depicts civilisational history and modernity of equipment. Also it depicts the military stance at the LAC.
Former Northern Army Commander Lt General HS Panag (retd) was among those who have not appreciated the change. He wrote on X” “The photo/painting (of the 1971 surrender) symbolising India’s first major military victory in a 1,000 years and also first as a united nation, in 1971, has been removed by a hierarchy which believes that mythology, religion and distant fragmented feudal past will inspire future victories”.
