Kolkata: A delegation from Bangladesh is expected to participate in this year's Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata on December 16, according to Indian defense sources.
The group is likely to include 'Mukti Jodhas' or freedom fighters, who played a significant role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Although details regarding the size of the delegation are yet to be disclosed, the tradition of Bangladesh's participation in this event underscores the deep ties between the two nations.
Each year, members of Bangladesh’s armed forces and veterans of the guerrilla resistance force that opposed Pakistani rule in East Pakistan attend the Vijay Diwas events hosted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command. The Command, headquartered at Fort William in Kolkata, organizes several programs to honor the 1971 victory, marking a historic moment in South Asian history.
Special Events to Honor War Heroes
A series of events will take place on December 16 under the aegis of the Eastern Command. The day will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at Vijay Smarak, a war memorial at Fort William, to honor the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. War veterans, including those who fought in the 1971 conflict, will attend the solemn occasion.
In addition to the memorial event, a military tattoo—a ceremonial display of military music and drills—will be held at the Military Training Centre in Kolkata. This will serve as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the heroes who shaped the victory in 1971.
The Genesis of Vijay Diwas
Vijay Diwas marks India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. On December 16, 1971, after 13 days of intense fighting, the Pakistani Army surrendered to Indian forces, with nearly 93,000 troops laying down arms. The war also brought an end to the atrocities inflicted upon millions of Bengalis in East Pakistan.
The seeds of the conflict were sown on the night of March 25, 1971, when the Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown on Bengalis, committing genocide and targeting civilians. The resistance, led by Mukti Bahini fighters, gained critical support from India. The supreme sacrifice of over three million people and the suffering of nearly half a million women culminated in Bangladesh’s emergence as an independent nation on December 16, 1971.
A Day of Remembrance
Vijay Diwas also commemorates Operation Vijay, which symbolizes the Indian Armed Forces' valor and strategic brilliance during the 1971 war. Tributes are paid to the soldiers who laid down their lives to ensure the liberation of Bangladesh and uphold the spirit of humanity.
The events of December 16, 1971, altered the course of history, not only liberating Bangladesh but also reshaping geopolitics in South Asia. Vijay Diwas remains a day to reflect on the sacrifices made and the enduring bond between India and Bangladesh, forged in the fires of war and freedom.