Attaching a screenshot of PM Modi’s post, the minister wrote: “I strongly protest. India was merely an ally in this victory, nothing more.”
Bangladesh’s interim government Law Adviser, Asif Nazrul, has criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post on X (formerly Twitter) commemorating Victory Day, asserting that “India was merely an ally in this victory, nothing more.” Victory Day, or Bijoy Dibosh, observed annually on December 16, marks the 1971 surrender of Pakistan’s military to Indian forces, leading to Bangladesh’s independence.
Nazrul, sharing a screenshot of Modi’s post, wrote on Facebook in Bengali, “I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, is Bangladesh’s Victory Day. India was merely an ally in this victory, nothing more.” Modi’s post had honoured Indian soldiers for their courage and sacrifices in the 1971 war, calling it a “historic victory” for India and a testament to their “extraordinary valour.”
Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India’s historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2024
Several members of the interim government echoed Nazrul’s sentiments. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, shared Nazrul’s post, while Hasnat Abdullah, Convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also criticized Modi’s remarks. Abdullah stated on Facebook, “This was Bangladesh’s Liberation War for independence from Pakistan. Modi’s narrative dismisses Bangladesh’s role, presenting the war as solely India’s achievement. Such claims threaten our independence, sovereignty, and identity, necessitating resistance.”
On the same day, Chief Adviser Yunus led the 54th Victory Day celebrations, pointedly omitting mention of founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Yunus also criticized former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, branding it “the world’s worst autocratic government.”
