Vandalism at Shaheed Memorial Complex
Amid ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, iconic statues commemorating Pakistan’s surrender in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War have been destroyed by what are being called “anti-India vandals.” The statues, located at the Shaheed Memorial Complex in Mujibnagar, depicted the historic signing of the ‘Instrument of Surrender’ by the Pakistan Army to the Indian Army and Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini.
Images of the vandalized statues surfaced online, causing outrage and concern. The statues were part of a memorial that symbolized one of the most significant moments in the history of Bangladesh and India—the surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971, which marked the end of the Liberation War and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
Political Reactions and Condemnation
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his sadness and concern over the destruction of the statues. In a tweet, he described the incident as a disgraceful act of vandalism, noting that it follows other attacks on Indian cultural centers, temples, and Hindu homes across Bangladesh.
“Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals. This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians protecting other minority homes and places of worship,” Tharoor tweeted.
He also highlighted that the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh reveal a broader agenda among some of the agitators involved in the ongoing protests.
Calls for Action
Tharoor urged the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to take immediate and decisive action to restore law and order in the country. He emphasized that it is in the interest of all Bangladeshis, regardless of their faith, to ensure peace and stability.
“India stands with the people of Bangladesh at this turbulent time, but such anarchic excess can never be condoned,” Tharoor’s statement read.
Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals. This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians… pic.twitter.com/FFrftoA81T
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 12, 2024
Background: The ‘Instrument of Surrender’
The destroyed statue was a representation of the ‘Instrument of Surrender,’ a document signed on December 16, 1971. Major-General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, representing Pakistan, surrendered along with 93,000 troops to Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of India’s Eastern Command, who also served as the joint commander of the Bangladesh forces. AK Khandker, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Forces, represented the Provisional Government of Bangladesh. This surrender remains the largest military capitulation since World War II.
Unrest and Attacks on Minorities
The current unrest in Bangladesh began as student protests against quotas in government jobs but escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations. These protests have resulted in the deaths of over 400 people and led to the resignation and subsequent escape of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India on August 5. As the situation worsens, minorities, particularly Hindus, have been targeted by mobs who have looted their homes and, in some cases, lynched them.
The violence has caused a significant influx of Bangladeshi refugees into India, particularly in the border states of Bengal.
Muhammad Yunus’ Appeal for Peace
Interim government head Muhammad Yunus condemned the attacks on minorities, describing them as “heinous.” The 84-year-old Nobel laureate has called on all Bangladeshi citizens to protect Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian families from harm. Addressing the students leading the protests, Yunus cautioned them against allowing their movement to be co-opted by those with ulterior motives, urging them to stay focused on their goals of progress and reform.
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