Asif Nazrul, the legal advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, expressed criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post commemorating Victory Day by stating, 'India was merely an ally, nothing more in this triumph.' Celebrated annually on December 16, Victory Day marks the 1971 surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian army, granting Bangladesh independence.
'India was merely an ally in that victory'
Nazrul's post was reposted by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus's office. By sharing a screenshot of PM Modi's post, Nazrul wrote on Facebook in Bengali, 'I strongly oppose this. Bangladesh's Victory Day was commemorated on December 16, 1971. India was merely an ally, nothing more.'
In his post, PM Modi paid tribute to the Indian soldiers for their significant role in the historic 1971 victory. According to The Daily Star newspaper, Yunus's press secretary, Shafiq Al Alam, shared Nazrul's post. Hasan Abdullah, the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, also criticized PM Modi's post.
'A threat to our freedom, sovereignty, and unity'
Abdullah wrote on Facebook that it was Bangladesh's liberation war and a fight for the nation's independence from Pakistan. He claimed that Modi's assertion portrayed it solely as India's war and achievement, ignoring Bangladesh's existence.
He remarked, 'When India claims this freedom as its achievement, I see it as a threat to our independence, sovereignty, and unity. It's crucial for us to combat this threat posed by India. We need to continue this struggle.'
Bangladesh commemorates the 54th Victory Day
Under Chief Advisor Yunus's leadership, the 54th Victory Day was celebrated in Bangladesh on Monday. His speech lacked any mention of founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He described the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration as the 'world's worst and autocratic government.'
