WAR 1971 : PART 1

1971

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By August 1947,India a completely secular nation along with Pakistan,a complete Islamic State,came into the limelight of the world map.
M.K.Gandhi & Md.Ali.Jinnah were thereafter recognised as "Father of the Nation" of India & Pakistan respectively.
Describing Gandhiji, historians said,"He was a religious person,with ideology of a secular nation."
While describing Jinnah they said,"He was a secular person, with ideology of a religious nation."
The geography of Pakistan wasn't continuous,it was divided into The East Pakistan & The West Pakistan, seperated by the 1600km long Indian corridor.
Right from independence both nations fought 4 battles namely in year- 1947 , 1965 , 1971 & 1999. But none of the battle fascinates me more than the battle of 1971.
The 1971 Indo-Pak war doesn't deal only with the fastest victory of India over Pakistan, but it itself reveals the story of liberation of Bangladesh,the 93,000 prisoners of war & the diplomatic Shimla treaty.

1. The Genocide and Refugees

Despite being a nation with physical discontinuity, East & West Pakistan very well pretended to be one on the basis of religion.
However,the West Pakistanis developed a supremacy over the East Pakistanis in the sectors of Bureaucracy, Politics, Business, Economy & Military.
This lead to a huge discontent & rage amongst the East Pakistanis untill 1971. Consequently it caused a revolt against West Pakistan.
To crush the revolt the supreme powers initiated "Bihari Massacre" followed by,"The Operation Searchlight." And there prime target was "Biharis" & "Bengali Hindus"
According to the reports of Anthony Mescerenhas, about more than 3 Lakh civilian (Mainly minority Bengali Hindus) were slaughtered, women's were raped, numerous children were orphaned. Genocide.....it was a total genocide.
Fear was deeply rooted within the heart of people,as a result many Bengali Hindu people rushed to the eastern states of India,. (Tripura, Assam,Bihar,West Bengal).

2. The Political overthrow of Mujibur Rahman

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,was one of the most glorious political identity of East Pakistan.
Legislative Elections were contested in Pakistan in 1969, Sheikh Mujib's party "Awami league" served an overwhelming majority.
By the time when he was supposed to form the government,Major Yahya Khan & Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the narrow minded politicians imprisoned Sheikh Mujib.
The person who was supposed to be the PM of Pakistan was now behind the bars.

3. Indira's mindset

The Congress government of PM Indira Gandhi, continuously appealed international communities for the assistance but failed to elicit any response.
From a diplomatic point of view Mrs.Gandhi was helpless against the flow of refugees in the eastern states,as it was not only inhumanity but also it was an opportunity to tear apart the East & West Pakistan.

4. The Master Plan

On 27th March 1971,Mrs.Gandhi expressed full support from her government for the independence struggle.
A cabinet meeting was called up by the PM including the Chief of Army Staff - Sam Manekshaw on 28th April.
PM asked Mr.Manekshaw if he was ready to go for a war against Pakistan. According to Manekshaw's own personal account he refused,citing of ongoing monsoon and repairing work of tank he said," Considering the current situation of army preperation & the climatic conditions,I guarantee you 100% .......defeat."
Speaking further he stated ,"Madam PM,if u ask for war.....,I'll say yes.......but not now." He requested PM to hold the position untill the month of November,it would be an enough time for all the forces for planning and preparation. And if it goes as per our plan,then victory and glory will be ours.

5. Diplomatic step

Sam Manekshaw ordered the army to setup 10 refugee camps,to provide military training to the Bangla civilian.
Within few weeks,the Bangla civilian along with Bangla troops and some Indian troop formed the organisation under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib named as,"Mukti Bahini".
Intention of Mukti Bahini was to keep Pakistani army busy in dealing internal revolts.
On 10th August, PM Gandhi signed an agreement with Soviet Russia. As a result Russia warned Pakistan against war,which served as,"The suicidal course for Pakistani unity."

Until November 1971 it was clear that the war was inevitable, slowly the conditions became very sensitive in South Asia.

..................To be continued