'India was an ally, nothing more': Bangladesh leaders on PM Modi's Vijay Diwas post

The Prime Minister's message on Vijay Diwas did not mention Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Leaders of Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus-led interim government have sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on Vijay Diwas, asserting that the 1971 victory, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, was entirely Bangladesh's achievement, with India merely acting as an ally.

In his Vijay Diwas message shared on microblogging site X, PM Modi honoured the bravery of Indian forces, saying, "Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honor 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 valor and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation's history." The Prime Minister's message, however, did not mention Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Among the vocal critics were Asif Nazrul, law advisor to Yunus, student leader Hasnat Abdullah, known for his open criticism of India, and Ishraque Hossain from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Reacting to Modi’s statement, Asif Nazrul condemned the post, stressing that the victory on December 16, 1971, belonged to Bangladesh, with India serving as an ally. "I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, was Bangladesh’s victory. India was an ally, nothing more," Nazrul wrote on Facebook.

Abdullah, an influential figure in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and a vocal critic of India, also expressed his dissatisfaction with PM Modi’s message. "This was Bangladesh's Liberation War. The war was fought for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. But Modi has claimed it was solely India’s achievement. In doing so, they completely ignore the existence of Bangladesh," Abdullah posted. He described PM Modi's statement as a "direct threat" to Bangladesh's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for continued resistance against India. "It is inevitable that we must continue our struggle against this threat from India. Our fight must go on," he added.

Meanwhile, Hossain, a leader of the BNP's Foreign Relations Committee, described PM Modi’s post as "misleading." "I strongly condemn and protest against Narendra Modi’s misleading statement on December 16, Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Modi’s words clearly undermine our liberation war, our sovereignty, our martyrs, and our dignity," Hossain wrote on microblogging site X.

India celebrated Vijay Diwas on December 16, marking the victory when Indian forces, including the Army, Air Force, and Navy, launched a full-scale offensive against East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), which had been fighting for independence from West Pakistan. With over 10 million refugees fleeing to India, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared war on Pakistan, aiming to liberate East Pakistan from Islamabad's control.