India Pakistan 1971 War | Why it happened? | Bangladesh Liberation | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

The 1971 India-Pakistan War began with Pakistan's Operation Chengiz Khan, targeting Indian airfields. This conflict led to the birth of Bangladesh, as East Pakistanis, seeking autonomy and equality, fought against West Pakistan's dominance. India played a pivotal role by supporting the Mukti Bahini, leading to a decisive victory and the largest surrender since WWII. The war highlighted issues of language imposition, cultural differences, and the struggle for democracy amidst military dictatorships.

Takeaways

• 🇵🇰 On 3rd December 1971, Pakistan initiated Operation Chengiz Khan, attacking 11 Indian airfields, marking the beginning of the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
• 📻 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressed the Indian citizens on the radio, declaring that India was under attack and the war had begun.
• 🆕 The war resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation, separating from Pakistan.
• 🏰 Before British colonial rule, the Indian subcontinent was home to thousands of autonomous kingdoms with diverse languages, traditions, and cultures.
• 🕌 The Bengal region, including present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal, was predominantly ruled by Muslim monarchs since the 13th century, who fostered co-existence between Islam and Hinduism.
• 🇮🇳 The 1947 Partition of India led to the division of Bengal and Punjab, splitting cultural and linguistic ties along religious lines and causing massive displacement and violence.
• 🏛️ After the partition, East Bengal became part of Pakistan but faced political, economic, and cultural marginalization by West Pakistan.
• 🗣️ The Bengali Language Movement emerged in East Pakistan as a response to the imposition of Urdu as the state language, leading to significant cultural and political protests.
• 🏹 The 1970 Pakistani general elections were won by East Pakistan's Awami League, but the results were canceled by West Pakistan, leading to widespread protests and calls for independence.
• 🛑 The Pakistani military's Operation Searchlight in 1971 aimed to suppress the independence movement in East Pakistan, resulting in widespread atrocities and a mass exodus of refugees to India.
• 🏳️‍🌈 India's support for the Mukti Bahini and the eventual Indian military intervention played a crucial role in securing Bangladesh's independence and led to the largest surrender since World War II.

Q & A

What was Operation Chengiz Khan?

Operation Chengiz Khan was a pre-emptive attack launched by Pakistan on December 3, 1971, targeting 11 Indian airfields to prevent India from interfering in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Why did Bangladesh seek independence from Pakistan?

Bangladesh sought independence due to economic disparity, cultural differences, political marginalization, and the imposition of Urdu as the state language by West Pakistan, which disregarded the majority Bengali-speaking population's identity.

What was India's role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War?

India supported Bangladesh's independence movement by providing military, logistical, and moral support. They trained and equipped the Mukti Bahini, and eventually entered the war, leading to the surrender of Pakistani forces.

What was the significance of the Language Movement in East Pakistan?

The Language Movement was a turning point that highlighted the cultural and linguistic identity of Bengalis in East Pakistan. It was a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the state language, leading to the recognition of Bengali as an official language and fueling the desire for autonomy.

What were the 6 Point Demands by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?

The 6 Point Demands were a political and economic reform proposal seeking greater autonomy for East Pakistan. They included provisions for a federal state, provincial control over resources, separate currencies, foreign exchange reserves, and a separate military force.

How did the 1970 Pakistani general elections impact the East Pakistan-West Pakistan relations?

The 1970 elections resulted in a win for the Awami League in East Pakistan, but no seats in West Pakistan, reflecting a deep divide. The subsequent cancellation of the election results by West Pakistan's leadership led to widespread protests and calls for independence in East Pakistan.

What was Operation Searchlight, and what was its goal?

Operation Searchlight was a military operation by the Pakistani army aimed at quelling the Bengali independence movement. Its goal was to eliminate Bengali intellectuals and political leaders to suppress the will for independence.

How did the international community respond to the Bangladesh genocide?

Initially, the international response was slow due to geopolitical interests. However, as reports of atrocities emerged, countries like India and the Soviet Union supported Bangladesh, while the United States and China initially leaned towards Pakistan.

What was the Simla Agreement and what did it entail?

The Simla Agreement was a treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1972 that formalized the recognition of Bangladesh's independence by Pakistan. It also detailed the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners of war and the return of occupied territory.

What was the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War for both Bangladesh and Pakistan?

The war resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation and a significant geopolitical shift in South Asia. Pakistan faced internal turmoil, with the collapse of military rule and the rise of a new government under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Bangladesh faced challenges in establishing a stable democracy, with periods of military rule and political unrest.