NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manickam Tagore, submitted an adjournment motion notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday regarding the controversial removal of a 1971 war photograph from Army Headquarters in New Delhi.
Tagore expressed concern that removing the photograph, which depicts the historic Pakistani forces’ surrender in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 16, 1971, undermines the significance of this momentous event.
“The photograph symbolized a victory that marked the liberation of Bangladesh and was a moment of immense pride for India, with over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering to the Indian Army in a swift 13-day war,” he said.
“This action is part of a disturbing trend observed in recent years, where similar efforts to alter or erase India’s original history have been reported across various ministries, monuments, and defence establishments. These incidents appear to be part of a wider push by the PM Modi government to erase or reframe historical events that do not align with certain narratives,” he added.
Tagore highlighted that the 1971 victory, achieved under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s leadership, stands as one of India’s most significant military achievements, and removing this iconic photograph appears to diminish its historical importance.
He called for immediate action from the Central government to reinstate the photograph to its original location.
“I urge the PM Modi government to immediately restore the 1971 surrender photograph to its original position at the Amy Headquarters and ensure that such acts of historical revisionism are not repeated. Our history, our victories, and the sacrifices of our armed forces must be preserved with utmost respect and dignity,” Tagore said.
Additionally, Tagore requested the establishment of a government committee.
“Additionally, I call on the government to constitute an independent committee along with MPs from all parties to investigate the reasons behind the removal of such historical symbols and recommend measures to protect and preserve our national heritage. This committee should also examine similar occurrences in the past, present, and future across all sectors and suggest preventive measures to ensure that our history is not tampered with in any manner,” the Congress MP said.
The surrender on December 16, 1971, marked Pakistan’s formal capitulation in Dhaka after a 13-day conflict. Over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered, establishing India as a significant regional power.
The formation of Bangladesh significantly impacted West Pakistan, with repercussions continuing today. The defeat challenged the fundamental two-nation theory regarding the subcontinent’s Muslim population.
India celebrates December 16 as “Vijay Diwas” to commemorate this historic victory. Records indicate that 3,900 Indian soldiers lost their lives and 9,851 sustained injuries during the 1971 conflict.