Mukti Joddhas Affirm Unbreakable Ties Between India and Bangladesh on Vijay Diwas

Kolkata, Dec 16 (NationPress) The bond between India and Bangladesh is unbreakable, and a few minor incidents will not have any significant effect, stated the Mukti Joddhas (freedom fighters) from Bangladesh during the celebrations of Vijay Diwas in Kolkata on Monday.

One Mukti Joddha remarked, "Those stirring up trouble in Bangladesh today are unaware of our history. They do not comprehend the hardships we endured during the Liberation War or the support we received from India and its armed forces. They are oblivious to the suffering of the people of Bangladesh. Some individuals, with limited understanding, are suggesting attacks on India. Do they truly grasp India's military strength? It is hoped that this is merely a transient phase and that normalcy will return soon."

Another joked that while one might change a spouse, no one would turn away from a friendly and supportive neighbor.

Brigadier General Md Aminur Rahman (retd), the leader of the Mukti Joddhas delegation at the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters in Fort William, Kolkata, asserted that the ties between the two nations are too firmly established to be disrupted.

Others stated that the situation in Bangladesh may not be as dire as depicted by those with vested interests on either side of the border. Although some incidents may occur in specific areas, they will not affect the profound relationship shared between the two nations.

"Much of what is being reported about the situation in Bangladesh is mere hearsay. There are factions with vested interests on both sides. The reality is quite different. The partnership between our two nations and peoples is resilient enough to withstand isolated incidents. If relations had deteriorated, how could we be visiting India? How could an Indian Army delegation be visiting Bangladesh?" questioned Maj Gen Abdus Salam Chaudhary (retd).

Wreaths were laid at Vijay Smarak in Fort William by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, Lt Gen R C Tiwari, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, along with several serving and retired military officers and Mukti Joddhas.

A military tattoo is scheduled for the evening, expected to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Vijay Diwas is commemorated annually on December 16 by the Indian Armed Forces to honor India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, which culminated in the Liberation of Bangladesh.

During the War, Indian forces (known as the Mitra Bahini) and Mukti Joddhas fought side by side to defeat the oppressive Pakistan Army, which had committed widespread atrocities against the Bengali-speaking population of what was then East Pakistan.

The conflict concluded on December 16 with the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers and their collaborators.