"If we don’t learn from history, then it teaches us lessons - often at a very, very great cost." Western Command chief Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar told 'India Today TV'.
The words of advise ... have been chosen well at a time when Bangladesh is clearly seen cosying up to Pakistan.
On this backdrop, he admitted India's key eastern neighbour is undergoing difficult times and expressed confidence of Bangladeshi Army doing - ultimately - "the right job".
 |
| Western Command chief Lt Gen Katiyar |
Lt Gen Katiyar accepted that despite India fighting several 'Dharamyudhs' with Pakistan, their army has still not learnt its lessons, as it is deeply embedded in the country’s politics and is often driven by its own interests and economic considerations.
Citing another example of the Pakistan Army’s “adharma,” Lieutenant General Katiyar said that during the Kargil war, the Pakistan Army disowned its own soldiers and refused to accept their bodies.
Explaining certain key facets of Dharmyudhs; he said - even Rigveda has said "You can fight Dharmyudh.. you can take arms in self defence".
"It also gives away fighting in a righteous way ... Rigveda says - Do not attack sick or wounded. Do not harm a woman or a child. Do not attack from behind".
He further said -- "For us (India or for Indian army) Dharmyudh is not a war for religion. It's not like crusades. It is fighting a war in a righteous manner".
"Disrobing Bangladeshi sisters in 1971 shows Pak Army's adharma"
"Could India have remained a mute spectator to thousands and thousands of Bangladeshi sisters being disrobed by Pakistani soldiers? We had to intervene," General Katiyar said recalling the atrocities committed by Islamabad during the 1971 war, which he called "worse than the Holocaust."
In modern history replete with crusades and jihads, he asserted that India had always fought Dharamyudh, a concept he said was as ancient as "our civilisation."
He goes on to call the 1971 war an "apt example of Dharamyudh."
"What was happening in Bangladesh is we seem to have forgotten. Thousands and thousands of Bangladeshis were killed," he said.
Calling it a "genocide" and "even worse than the Holocaust," Lt Gen Katiyar said - "The world was a silent spectator. Nobody was responding to it.
Could we have remained silent to such barbaric happenings in our neighbourhood?"
(After 19 years, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today visited the grave of his father and party founder Ziaur Rahman.)
The remarks from the senior Indian army commander have come within hours BNP leader Tariqe Rahman has returned to Dhaka ending 17 year of exile.
His return has triggered debates about he should do or should not do and what are the people's expectations.
“This country belongs to people of the hills and plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians,” Tarique declared at a massive Dhaka gathering on December 25. This was a smart balancing act. He mentions minorities. He also acknowledged Liberation War history and trying to signal calm and reason amid provocation and chaos.
However, since August 2024, hardliners and Jamaat-linked street power have increasingly dictated Bangladesh’s political rhythm. There is a palpable anti-India and anti-Hindu rhetoric and politics around it.
Hence, Indian army commander's words have certain significances of their own.
Note what the western command chief further says --
"If you remain silent in face of crime, in face of evil, your conscience has to pay a price." he added.
He called it a "very just war" and a "perfect act" of liberating East Pakistan .... leading to creation of Bangladesh.
"In 1971, we captured 93,000 prisoners. We fought in a righteous manner and treated them well. We provided all facilities in accordance with rules and regulations. The Simla Agreement is the most liberal peace agreement. All this was in the quest for peace," he said.
"The 1971 war started with a just cause and ended in a just manner," he added.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment