Internal story of how India won war against Pakistan in 1971

• Image Credit: Internet

• Dec 17, 2021 | moderator

Digital Desk: The Indo-Pakistani War 1971 has remained one such war in history that led to the formation of a new nation. Different forms have portrayed the history of this war from different angles. However, significantly what makes us read about this war is the underlying aspects and deep affairs of state associated with the war. 

Praveen Davar, convenor of the AICC Commemoration Committee on Bangladesh Liberation War, lately stated that without the leadership actions and role of Indira Gandhi in the liberation of Bangladesh, war could have continued for months. The role of Indira as a Prime Minister during 1971 is exemplary. Moreover, without the safeguard of Indian soldiers, nothing could have made it to the nation's victory. Around 4,000 Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war, while about 10,000 others were injured.

The Indian Army occupied 15,000 sq km of area and took 93,000 Pakistani soldiers as captives of war, paving the path for the invention of Bangladesh. This victory remained a golden chapter in the history of the Indian Army to date. Indira Gandhi visited different nations just ahead of the war to convince her point why India decided to enter into the war with Pakistan. However, she was brave enough to walk out of the meeting when then US president Richard Nixon tried to ignore her argument. Moreover, the outstanding leadership of the then Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram and military leadership of Army Chief Sam Manekshaw assured that there was no getaway for Pakistan. 

Also Read: ‘No one can question the intent of the Narendra Modi government’: Amit Shah

The war started after the Awami League in Pakistan won a majority in the 1971 elections. It stressed the independence for East Pakistan, which led to 10 million East Pakistanis crossing the border and infiltrating the Indian side. This migration conveyed severe stress to the Indian economy. Therefore, it was a serious condition for both Pakistan and India to talk on the issue of refugees moving to the land of India. However, talks have failed between the nation, and a war rise began. 

On December 3, Pakistan attacked India; this ensured that India did not have to start a war. Indira Gandhi was in Calcutta that day and headed to Delhi to manage the country. She addressed the nation through radio and said, "War has been forced on us." The Indian Army adopted a "bold plan" on the eastern facade and a "defensive tactics" on the western front. The war continued for 13 days. Throughout, the war Indira stayed affirmed in her consent to Bangladesh. She gave her defense heads adequate autonomy and ensured the war didn't pause. The war ended with the separation of East Pakistan from West Pakistan, resulting in Bangladesh's creation. At 5 pm on December 16, General Sam Manekshaw called Indira Gandhi Ji and told her that Dhaka was now free, and the Pakistani Army had surrendered unconditionally. It was India's victory, and Gandhi announced a ceasefire.

Now, what excites people about this war is what has happened after the victory of India over Pakistan. Many independent thinkers have written that this war has brought a different scenario for the Muslim communities of India. Right after the war, they had participated in Indian mainstream politics. Syed Shahabuddin, who was in the Indian Indian Foreign Service, then wrote, "For the first time after 1971, Indian Muslims realized that Pakistan offered them no hope, no future and itself had no future. Muslims of India were and are persuaded that the fulfillment of their aspirations relies completely upon their standing in their own land, India."

This realization has brought the Indian Muslims on the right track and provided them the voice to raise their opinions and views among the mass. Profoundly, the emergence of Bangladesh boosted the emergence of Indian Muslims in Indian politics.