Forgetting Indira
When the then PM Indira Gandhi announced in the Lok Sabha on December 16, 1971, that Pakistan’s military had surrendered unconditionally to the Indian Army in Bangladesh, her statement had been roundly cheered and applauded by the entire House — rising above party lines. Half a century later, one would have expected similar bonhomie on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Diwas. But it was not to be as parochial political considerations took centre stage. The government paid glowing tributes to the Indian armed forces and Bangladeshi freedom fighters, but made no mention of Indira Gandhi’s remarkable contribution. The victory in the 1971 war was undoubtedly the crowning glory of the Indian military, but all the action was confined neither to the battlefield nor to a fortnight in December.
India pulled out all the stops on the political and diplomatic fronts throughout that year to ensure that democracy prevailed over military dictatorship in the subcontinent. Indira herself spearheaded efforts to draw international attention to the human rights violations in Bangladesh. Close ties with Moscow, cemented by the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation (signed in August 1971), stood New Delhi in good stead in the face of American and Chinese support to Pakistan. With Pakistan making a nefarious bid to nullify the electoral outcome in Bangladesh, India stepped in to safeguard democracy and uphold the Bangladeshi people’s mandate. India also had to tackle a major humanitarian crisis as West Bengal was swamped by millions of refugees, who were fleeing the genocide unleashed by the Pakistan military.
Would it have been possible for a nation to rise to the unprecedented challenge without a rock-solid leader at the helm? What’s more, there were several other key players whose interventions complemented the military’s might: Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram, Foreign Minister Swaran Singh, Principal Defence Secretary KB Lall, R&AW chief RN Kao and BSF Director General KF Rustamji, among others. The golden jubilee celebrations must not be allowed to fall prey to divisiveness and discord. The government should have the magnanimity to remember all those who played stellar roles, be it in the forefront or behind the scenes.
