1971 War Legacy Dispute: A top Bangladesh official has spoken out against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media post about the 1971 war victory.
Asif Nazrul, who advises Bangladesh’s interim government on legal matters, made his disagreement clear on Facebook. “I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, was the Victory Day of Bangladesh. India was an ally of this victory, nothing more,” he wrote.
The dispute started when PM Modi posted a message on Victory Day (December 16) saying: “Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India’s historic victory in 1971.” He added that their sacrifices would inspire future generations and remain part of India’s history.
This difference of opinion shows how both countries view the 1971 war differently:
- Bangladesh sees it mainly as their independence victory
- India emphasizes its military’s role in the victory
The 1971 war led to Bangladesh becoming an independent country, breaking away from Pakistan. India supported Bangladesh during this war.
This disagreement comes when India and Bangladesh are trying to maintain good relations as neighboring countries.
