Modi hails Indian Army role in B’desh’s freedom

DHAKA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership and contribution of the Indian Army in Bangladesh’s 1971 freedom war as he joined President Abdul Hamid and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina in celebrating the country’s 50 years of independence here.

Addressing Bangladesh’s 50th Independence anniversary at the National Parade Square, Modi recalled the role played by Indian Army in the freedom war and said the blood of those who fought for their liberation and the blood of Indian soldiers are flowing together and this blood will form such a relationship that will not break down under any type of pressure.

“I salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in Muktijuddo. Those who gave their blood in Muktijuddo, sacrificed themselves, and played a very big role in realising the dream of independent Bangladesh,” said Modi.

Modi, who was wearing a ‘Mujib Jacket’ as tribute to Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, said that Bangabandhu’s

leadership and bravery had ensured that no power could enslave Bangladesh.

“This is one of the most memorable days of my life. I am grateful that Bangladesh has included me in this event. I am grateful that Bangladesh has invited India to take part in this function. It is a matter of our pride that we got the opportunity to honour Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Gandhi Peace Prize,” said Modi.

The Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 was conferred on Bangabandhu early this week. It was for the first time that the award was given away posthumously.

At the beginning of the programme, Modi handed over the Gandhi Peace Prize to Bangabandhu’s daughters – Prime Minister Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana.

Hasina in her address thanked Modi and the Government of India for bestowing the honour on her father.

Recalling the 1971 war of independence, Modi said the pictures of atrocities that the Pakistan Army inflicted on the people in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) used to distract people in India. “I must have been 20-22 years old when I and my colleagues did Satyagraha for Bangladesh’s freedom,” he told the gathering.

The war in 1971 broke after the sudden crackdown at midnight past on March 25 in the erstwhile East Pakistan by the Pakistani troops and ended on December 16. The same year, Pakistan conceded defeat and unconditionally surrendered Dhaka to the allied forces comprising the freedom fighters and the Indian soldiers.

Officially, 3 million people were killed during the ninemonth long war.

Modi said both India and Bangladesh have the power of democracy and vision for the future, and it is necessary for

and carried out extensive vandalism,” Rafiqul Islam, the police official told news Reuters, referring to protesters.

The protesters in Chittagong were from the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, an Islamist group opposed to the visit of Modi.

Mohammad Alauddin, another police official in Chittagong, said that eight people were brought to a hospital in the city with gunshot wounds, of which four succumbed to their injuries

“Three of them are madrasa students and another a tailor,” Alauddin said.

Protests against Modi’s visit were also flared in Dhaka, where dozens of people, including two journalists, were injured in clashes with police, witnesses said.