Unfortunately, very little, of any post-independence history forms a part of school curriculums; with the result that a majority of Indians are unaware of our military engagements or conquests. Today we observe Vijay Diwas (Day of Victory) but few of us actually know what the significance of today is.
In March 1971, (then) West Pakistan launched a movement to suppress Bengali calls for self-determination from (then) East Pakistan. Operation Searchlight was a military crackdown to suppress this uprising. An estimated 3 to 5 lakh people were killed during the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide. There was an influx of refugees into India, and India under PM Indira Gandhi offered support to the Bangladeshi struggle for independence. On 3rd December 1971, the Pakistani Air Force launched preemptive strikes against Indian airfields including Agra (300 miles from the border). The Prime Minister held these as a declaration of war.
What followed was a full-scale Indian invasion of Pakistan with coordinated land, air and sea attacks; the objectives being to capture Dhaka in East Pak and prevent incursions into Indian soil from the West. After the Pak forces were routed, then Chief of Army, Gen Sam Manekshaw, the ever graceful victor, said about the war, 'The Pakistan army in East Pakistan fought very gallantly. But they had no chance. They were a thousand miles away from their base. I had eight or nine months to make my preparations. I had got a superiority of almost 15 to 1.'
The war ended with the surrender of Pak forces – 93,000 troops led by General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi to the Alliance forces of India and the Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971. The day is observed as Vijay Diwas in India to mourn the loss of lives in the war. The Indian army took 90,000 Pakistani servicemen and Bengali supporters as prisoners of war – the largest surrender since World War II.
For Bangladesh, 16 December is celebrated as Victory Day to mark its liberation from Pakistan following a 9-month long struggle for secession.
The three chiefs of defence staff along with the Defence Minister pay homage to the fallen soldier at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate today.
Though we remember and look back upon Vijay Diwas as a matter of pride and the celebration of an emphatic Indian victory over Pakistan, our men and women in uniform view this is a day for reflection and remembrance for all those brave souls who laid down their lives for the country and for humanity at large; fighting against the oppressive genocidal forces at work in a neighbouring nation.
This short film tweeted by History TV 18 is a salute to the extraordinary bravery of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; who was responsible for a key Indian victory in the war.
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