India-Pakistan 1971 war: Insulting army is wrong Daily O 19 Dec 17
Garga Chatterjee in his article published in the First Post on 17 Dec 17 entitled, ‘Indian army’s misleading tweet about 71 war adds to a culture of jingoistic misinformation puts Bangladesh government in a tight spot’, is a lopsided view of the 1971 war victory. His article is based on few tweets placed and removed from the army public information department’s (ADGPI) twitter handle, incorrect information and lack of knowledge on military operations.
A few facts about the war need to be clarified for the information of Garga. The war was fought jointly by the Indian armed forces and the Mukti Jodhas. The overall command remained with the Indian army and under the army’s Eastern Command. The Multi Jodhas were not an independent force operating on their own but allocated to Indian army formations. They were recruited, trained and equipped by Indian forces. Most former Mukti Jodha members who attend Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata, fondly remember Indian army officers who trained them as also commanded units and formations of which they were a part. There is immense mutual respect between soldiers who fought together.
Garga has distorted facts and even failed to read the account given by Lt Gen JFR Jacob, the individual sent by India to Dacca to have the surrender negotiated and signed. He also has no inkling of inputs from Mukti Jodhas, hence made irresponsible comments in his article on the surrender ceremony. The final surrender document was signed by Lt Gen AAK Niazi, the commander of the Pakistan army in then East Pakistan and Lt Gen JS Aurora, the Eastern Army Commander.
The surrender was done to the Indian army and in full public view at the Dacca Race Course. Niazi handed over his epaulette and revolver to Aurora and his troops followed, surrendering everywhere to the nearest Indian army forces. The reason for surrender to the Indian army was to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistan forces. Further, it had to surrender to a legal military force, not irregular troops forming the Mukti Jodhas. Members of the Mukti Jodha were also present in Dacca, when the surrender ceremony took place and wanted to hang Niazi and his soldiers, which was prevented because they had surrendered to the Indian army and were under its protection.
Another reality missed by Garga is that Niazi only agreed to surrender, provided he and his forces were ensured protection by Indian forces, which is what played on his mind when he accepted the terms. Hence, they were immediately moved to prisoner of war camps in India. The wording of the surrender document mentioning joint forces had a political reason. India wanted to prove to the world that it came in support of the Mukti Jodhas and was not the aggressor. Jacob mentions in his interviews that independent Mukti Jodha operations ceased on 30 Nov 1971, while the war commenced on 03 Dec.
There is no doubt that Mukti Jodhas played an important role in the war. They were locals, with immense knowledge of the terrain and hence could guide advancing Indian forces as also provide crucial information. Firepower and all major assaults were launched by the Indian army. Ambushes and covert operations to destroy communication centres were the responsibility of the Mukti Jodhas, thus clearly joint operations, under the command of Indian forces.
Garga also has no knowledge of the conduct of military operations during the 71 War nor has he even bothered to brush his basic knowledge of warfare. All forces operating in war, fight under one commander, never independently. The commander responsible for operations in the sector, sub-allots resources to subordinate commanders for fulfilment of missions. Thus, Mukti Jodha units were allocated under command to subordinate formations under Eastern Command.
Garga in his possible dislike for the Indian army went on to comment that Indian forces alone never defeated the Pak army but jointly with the Mukti Jodhas. The Mukti Jodhas fought under the command of the Indian army, not as an independent force, hence it was the Indian armed forces, of which the Mukti Jodhas was a part, which won the war. The Mukti Jodhas were only involved on the eastern front, whereas the Indian armed forces fought on both fronts.
Bangladesh is well aware of the facts of the involvement of the Indian army, Mr Garga, and does require your Hindu vs Moslem comments on the war. Mukti Jodha soldiers never considered a Hindu aspect, but the support of a nation in freeing them from the genocide being conducted by Pakistan. Soldiers respect fellow soldiers, without considering religion, when they fight alongside. Therefore, Vijay Diwas is an occasion to celebrate victory, obtained by immense sacrifices by the Indian army and members of the Mukti Jodha over a common enemy. Veterans on both sides meet warmly and share a common bonding as soldiers, which arm chair critics would never comprehend.
Bangladesh was never meant to join the Indian union, as wrongly commented by Garga, it was designed to be an independent nation. Hence even the surrender document mentioned the word Bangladesh. For India, it will no longer be Pakistan and an additional frontier for the army to guard. This can be judged by the fact that the responsibility of securing the border with Bangladesh is with the BSF and not the army. Until it was under Pakistan, it was the army which was responsible.
The Indian army had over 1400 fatal casualties and over four thousand wounded, which would not have been possible had it not fought actively. It is easy to criticize, sitting in air-conditioned comfort, knowing there would be no rebuttal. Views change when you wear a uniform and face multitude of bullets. Garga’s views would also change if he steps down from his pedestal and meets wounded veterans and war widows from the war. Finally, the Indian army never lies to its people, Mr Garga. It always shares the truth as it has nothing to hide. Only those, who bear a grudge against it, find faults, where none exist.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army