Amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, war veterans of 1971 gathered at Fort William in Kolkata as part of the Vijay Diwas celebration by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on Monday.
“You can change your family, but geographically, your neighbours will remain your neighbours. We still received the same glorious hospitality from India. We in Bangladesh are a very progressive community unlike what is perceived. Bangladesh and India will become good neighbours again. Our enemy is poverty, not each other. We will develop together. Our enemy is people who are anti-history. We, the people of Bangladesh, are not anti-Hindu,” said Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahar, a veteran who reached Kolkata from Dhaka in Bangladesh on Sunday.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including military leaders from both countries. Veterans expressed concern over the current geopolitical situation and called for renewed efforts to foster peace and cooperation between the two nations. A section of war veterans said they feel heartbroken and reiterated that “India is part of the history of Bangladesh history, and history cannot be denied”.
“I was from the Pakistan para brigade when the war started. I decided not to be with Pakistan. I crossed the Jammu-Kashmir border. I brought the future battle plan from Pakistan and gave it to the Indian Army. That’s the reason they gave me a Padmashree, as foreign military soldiers cannot get it. At the time Pakistan was very angry at me. Togetherness matters… 1971 was the finest and most classic victory in world history. When the Indian Army entered Bangladesh not a single murder or rape took place. We respect the Indian Army and our next generation will also continue to respect them,” said Zahar.
Brigadier General Mohammed Aminur Rehaman, Director of the Army Veteran Directorate in Bangladesh, said, “It is a great day for us. Today’s celebration has reminded us of a historical event.”
ABM Nurul Alam, a fellow veteran, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the strong bond between the two nations. “We love India, we love Indian People and the Indian Army. People who deny history are hostile, not peace-loving people,” he said.
Wing Commander (Retired) D J Kler highlighted the sacrifices made by both nations. “My father is known as the liberator of Bangladesh. He got the Mahavir Chakra for the Battle of Jamalpur. It breaks your heart to see we are back at square one. We are back to the same situation when we went to save them from genocide.”
“Minorities in Bangladesh are peace-loving people. What have they done?” he said.
Anwara Begum, the wife of a war veteran, expressed hope for the future. “India and Bangladesh are brothers. We don’t get bothered by the current situation. Insha Allah, all will be fine soon. It causes pain, and it’s also heartbreaking for many of us,” she said.
Major General Abdul Salam Chaudhury (Retd) from Bangladesh said the two nations share a “strong bond”. “There are vested interest groups who create false narratives for their own gain. The true story is far different, in my belief. The relationship between India and Bangladesh is strong and will last forever,” Chaudhary said.
When questioned about today’s situation in Bangladesh, Zahar said, “History takes different turns at times. Let’s not be demoralised. Those who are denying history are not right. We are good neighbours and this is the only truth. In a democratic society, people have different opinions but we are war veterans and we cannot deny India’s contribution. India and Bangladesh are friendly neighbours, it is the truth and let’s follow the truth.”
Governor C V Ananda Bose, meanwhile, said: “India knows the way and shows the way.”
For the past five decades, India has invited Mukti Yoddhas — members of the Mukti Bahini, the Bangladeshi guerrilla resistance force that fought alongside Indian forces in the 1971 war — to participate in the celebrations. This year, despite initial uncertainty, the Eastern Command hosted the Bangladesh delegates with much grandeur.