Bangladesh Independence Day is celebrated on 26 March every year to commemorate the declaration of independence from Pakistan on this day in 1971. The day is a national holiday in Bangladesh and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotism.
The road to Bangladesh’s independence was marked by a long and difficult struggle, which began with the partition of India in 1947. At that time, the region that is now Bangladesh was part of Pakistan, which was created as a separate country for Muslims. However, the people of Bangladesh, who were primarily Bengali-speaking and predominantly Muslim, faced political and economic marginalization from the ruling elite in West Pakistan.
In 1970, a general election was held in Pakistan, and the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory in East Pakistan. However, the ruling elite in West Pakistan refused to recognize the results, and a brutal crackdown was launched against the people of East Pakistan.
On 25 March 1971, the Pakistani army began a campaign of violence and terror against the people of East Pakistan, which led to the declaration of independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 26 March 1971. The Bangladesh Liberation War then ensued, which lasted for nine months and led to the eventual defeat of the Pakistani army.
On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani army surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, the Bangladeshi guerrilla force and Bangladesh emerged as an independent country.
The Independence Day celebrations in Bangladesh are marked by parades, speeches, and flag-hoisting ceremonies. The national flag is hoisted in all public and private buildings, and people wear traditional clothes and paint their faces with the colors of the flag. The day is also marked by cultural programs, concerts, and other festivities.
Overall, Bangladesh Independence Day is an important day for the people of Bangladesh, as it commemorates their struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by their ancestors. It is a day of national pride and unity, and an opportunity for the people of Bangladesh to come together to celebrate their identity and culture.
India’s involvement in Bangladesh’s Independence
India played a significant role in the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. The independence struggle in Bangladesh began in March 1971 when the Pakistan Army launched a crackdown on the Bengali population, which they perceived as a threat to their rule. The crackdown resulted in widespread violence and human rights abuses.
India provided shelter and support to millions of Bengali refugees who had fled to India to escape the violence. The Indian government also provided military training and weapons to the Bengali freedom fighters, who were organized under the leadership of the Awami League and the Mukti Bahini.
India formally intervened in the conflict on 3 December 1971, when the Pakistan Air Force launched a pre-emptive strike on Indian airfields. In response, the Indian Air Force launched a counter-attack and destroyed the majority of the Pakistani Air Force’s planes. This was followed by a ground offensive by the Indian Army, which resulted in the surrender of the Pakistani Army on 16 December 1971, and the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent country. Manekshaw, popularly known as ‘Sam Bahadur’, was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
India’s intervention in the conflict was a significant factor in the eventual outcome, and the Indian government was widely praised for its role in the independence of Bangladesh. The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions, but it ultimately led to the creation of an independent Bangladesh.
Tags: Bangladesh Independence Day, Bangladesh Liberation War, Bangladeshi guerrilla force, India's involvement in Bangladesh's Independence, Manekshaw, Mujibur Rahman, Mukti Bahini, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
