Topics Covered: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Vijay Diwas 2020:
Context:
Vijay Diwas or Victory Day is celebrated in India every year on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War.
- The India-Pakistan war began on 3 December 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971. It was one of the shortest wars (13 days) but saw one of the biggest surrenders.
India’s role in Bangladesh’s creation:
The 13-day Indo-Pak War was sparked by the rebellion in erstwhile East Pakistan against the government in Islamabad.
- Since March 1971, Bengali nationalists had been fighting a brutal crackdown by Pakistani forces on the civil and political rights of the Bengali population.
- Then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had provided support to the Bangladesh cause for months but the Indian military formally engaged in a full-scale war with Pakistan on December 3.
- Soon, foreign pressure to end the war and mounting losses forced Islamabad to accept defeat, thereby granting Bangladesh full independence.
Key outcomes:
- Unilateral and unconditional surrender of the Pakistan Army and subsequent secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh.
- It was the first war after World War II that India had won conclusively.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Vijay Diwas.
- Significance.
- Bangladesh Liberation war.
- Operation trident.
Mains Link:
Write a note on Bangladesh Liberation war.
Sources: the Hindu.
