The India-Pakistan War of 1971 is the best example of the bravery, indomitable spirit and success of the Indian Army. On 16th December, Vijay Diwas, the Indian army liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan’s atrocities and brought about both historical and geographical transformations. Bangladesh was subsequently created. Former deputy prime minister Late Babu Jagjivan Ram, a prominent Dalit face of the Congress Party, is regarded as one of the war’s heroes, and yet he had received little honour by the party in its efforts to aggrandise and adulate the Gandhi family.
India was also impacted in 1971 when the authoritarianism and tyranny of General Yahya Khan, the leader of Pakistan, caused Bangladesh previously known as East Pakistan to fall apart. Approximately one crore refugees arrived in India from Bangladesh. India decided to help the then part of Pakistan as the crisis escalated wherein the three branches of the country’s army, led by the Department of Defense and the Minister of Defense, showed unwavering courage.
Babu Jagjivan Ram’s role in the 1971 war
Bangladesh considered Congress leader and then Defense Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram as the hero of this war. Importantly, not only did the Indian army have a strong sense of patriotism, but the war was fought for a different land rather than India itself. At that time, Babu Jagjivanram played an important role in boosting the morale of the army soldiers and instilling faith in them. The danger of war between India and Pakistan had been growing ever since he was appointed Defense Minister in 1970.
During this period, West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) was also committing greater crimes against Bangladesh, its former part. Mrs. Meira Kumari, a former speaker of the Lok Sabha and the daughter of Babu Jagjivan Ram, attended a presentation called “1971 Indo-Pakistani War: Bangladesh Ki Mukti,” which was arranged in collaboration with the Indian War Veterans Association, Indian Foundation, and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. The preparations made under his command were mentioned during the memorial speech on 16th December 2016.
Common people were prepared for the war after visiting different parts of the country
She stated that Babu Jagjivan Ram met the army and travelled throughout India after assuming charge. “Starting wars on the front is not in our history, tradition or roots. However, the conflict will not take place in India if it is forced upon us. We’ll drive the enemy out and seize their territory.” She unveiled that Babu Jagjivan Ram used to give briefings in Parliament every two to three days on the state of affairs and war preparations.
He would speak in public every two or three days, updating the public on national events and our war plans. “There’s nothing to fear” he would tell everyone in India, whether they lived in an urban or rural area and declared, “We will make this a historic war.” He created the atmosphere that was needed in the country.
Committed to honouring army personnel
Meira Kumar highlighted in her speech that Babu Jagjivan Ram used to say that one may or may not respect another person but whenever you see a soldier you must respect him because it is not common to give your life for something intangible. The army crossing the border to safeguard India is not the only aspect of the country’s defence. In addition to preparing the populace and armed forces for war, the defence of India entails that every person should defend the nation and its honour through their actions. On the other hand, he also had faith in Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh.
Additionally, to minimize any inconvenience to people, he directed the Indian Army to stay away from crowded locations whenever they entered enemy territory. According to Meira Kumar, the Indian Army had not yet been the target of any such complaints, even though the brutality and inhumanity committed by the Pakistan Army are documented in history. She referred to this war as an honourable one. This war was critical for several reasons, but it is particularly significant because it not only founded Bangladesh but also altered history and geography.
93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered
For the first time, the Indian Navy had to take part in any conflict. Both the Army and the Air Force had served in previous wars. Operation Trident, the Indian Navy’s first and most successful operation, was initiated during this period. The Indian Navy damaged Karachi, Pakistan’s backbone, during this operation, which caused the country’s morale to crash. This was the same battle in which Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrendered to India along with 93,000 of his soldiers.
The nepotism of Congress is the sole explanation for the nation’s unawareness of these vital details. Notably, the party has, up to this point, only attributed historical events to members of the Nehru-Gandhi family. The same transpired in this matter. The name of the Dalit leader Babu Jagjivan, who ensured India’s victory and prepared the entire nation for this conflict, has vanished from the war’s records. Even the Congress, which consistently refers to itself as the “Messiah of Dalits,” did not consider it important to draw attention to the accomplishment of their Dalit leader. This reality would never have been revealed if Bangladesh hadn’t established Babu Jagjivan Ram as the war’s hero.
Bangladesh highlighted Babu Jagjivan Ram’s contribution
Babu Jagjivan Ram’s contribution might never have been known if Bangladesh had not acknowledged him by bringing notice to this issue. Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister of Bangladesh when his role was revealed in 2012, 41 years after the country gained its freedom. Babu Jagjivan Ram, the defence minister at the time, was deemed “important” by Bangladesh in the 1971 conflict with Pakistan. Bangladesh wrote a letter of appreciation for Babu Jagjivan Ram, expressing gratitude.
“He played an important role in forming a ‘joint command’ of Bangladesh and Indian forces for the final attack, which resulted in victory,” the citation pointed out. “He strengthened and coordinated the war strategy with great efforts by providing training, arms and supplies to the Bangladeshi freedom fighters. However, the history of politics will remember him more for his landmark parliamentary speech on 16th December 1971 announcing the emergence of independent Bangladesh,” it added.
A memorable speech in Parliament after victory
Babu Jagjivan Ram’s speech in Parliament is also mentioned in the testimonial letter. According to which Babu Jagjivan Ram declared, “I have to make an announcement. The West Pakistan Army has unconditionally surrendered to Bangladesh. Dhaka (present-day Dhaka) is an independent country or an independent capital.” Significantly, Babu Jagjivan Ram gave a speech in Parliament a few minutes after the surrender of Pakistan to the joint forces of India-Bangladesh.
Babu Jagjivan Ram’s grandson and Meira Kumar’s son Anshul Kumar was also present when Bangladesh conferred this honor on him. He was felicitated by President Mohammed Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Bangabandhu International Conference Hall on 20th October 2012. “The remarkable thing is that he (Babu Jagjivan Ram) never wanted war and only desired justice because Pakistani soldiers had committed genocide in Bangladesh and attacked India as well,” he stated on the occasion. Security experts have also appreciated the leadership of Babu Jagjivan Ram.
