NEW DELHI: Bangladesh observed its Victory Day on Wednesday to mark the defeat of Pakistan in 1971, when the country became independent after a nine-month war, against the backdrop of calls for Dhaka to cut ties with Islamabad for its denial of the genocide during the hostilities.
REUTERSBangladeshi soldiers march during the celebration of the country’s 45th Victory Day celebrations at the national parade ground in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The Dhaka University has cut all academic ties with Pakistan and newspapers have run reports and analyses criticising Pakistan, while many citizens on the streets are furious.
Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali has said Bangladesh is “assessing” ties with Pakistan and families of martyred intellectuals have called for cutting all diplomatic relations.
Bangladesh says the genocide claimed three million lives while about 10 million more were forced to flee to India and 200,000 women were raped.
Pakistan has for long claimed there was no genocide in 1971. Pakistan’s recent statement criticising the execution of two convicted war criminals – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid –also infuriated Bangladesh.
The Sector Commanders’ Forum, an influential platform of war commanders, has sought an apology from Pakistan. Bangladesh also summoned the Pakistani envoy and lodged a strong protest for the stand taken by Islamabad against the trial of suspected war criminals and the “concern and anguish” expressed by Pakistan’s Foreign Office over recent executions.
In a front page report headlined “Pakistan Lying, Still – The blueprint for massacre”, The Daily Star newspaper described how the massacre was planned and executed in 1971.
Abu Bakar Bakar, a businessman, said on Wednesday this year’s commemoration of the victory over Pakistan was different.
“Two top war criminals have been executed despite huge international pressure,” he told Hindustan Times in Dhaka’s Uttara Model Town area while attending a concert with his son as part of the celebrations.
“Pakistan’s recent statement denying genocide is a lie. They should offer an apology immediately,” he said.