‘Decolonisation’ & Rewriting Indian History: Rational approach expected
The picture is that of the historic surrender of Pakistan Army to Indian Army in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 16th December 1971 following Bangladesh War. That victory day is observed as Vijay Diwas. Now the WhatsApp message says that this picture that had been in the Army HQ has been removed and the army veterans are much upset and angry.
While it is not clear when the photograph was removed from the army headquarters, veterans believe it is part of the ‘decolonisation’ drive undertaken by the BJP government for the past several years. The removal of the iconic photograph, however, is a serious mistake and an insult to the Indian armed forces, they say.
The photograph of the surrender reflected a historic and comprehensive military victory and has inspired successive generations of officers and the ranks. Why would the government decide to remove it from its vantage position at the office of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) where military leaders from abroad and visitors liked to be photographed with the picture of the surrender as the backdrop?
No explanation has come yet from the Ministry of Defence or the Defence Minister. Veterans however have voiced their dismay at the development. They say it is an assault on military history, tradition and creed.
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