India: What is the controversy over the painting of the Pakistani army 'laying down arms'?

 Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Islamabad (Point News Today / Pakistan Point News - 17th December, 2024 ) A new controversy erupted in India on Monday, December 16, when a famous picture related to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War was removed from the lounge of the country’s army chief and other artworks were displayed there in its place.

Opposition leaders and some former top soldiers expressed strong displeasure over the move, accusing the government of diluting military history and also demanded that the picture be reinstalled in the lounge of the Indian army chief.

Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami leader hanged

It should be noted that the surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971 and the emergence of Bangladesh is known as the Fall of Dhaka.

The above picture shows General Niazi of the Pakistani army signing an agreement regarding the surrender in front of Indian military officials.

Should Pakistan apologize to Bangladesh?

Indian Army's clarification

When it started getting mentioned in the media and various leaders accused the government of politicizing the issue, the Indian Army issued a statement to clarify that the painting was not removed but was moved to another location.

The army said that the move was a deliberate move so that the painting could be displayed to a wider audience in India and abroad. The Indian Army celebrates 'Vijaya Diwas', or Victory Day, on December 16, and the famous painting was moved on the same day. The event was attended by top military officials, ex-servicemen and serving personnel.

Modi claims to have gone to jail for Bangladesh's freedom struggle

"This painting is one of the greatest military victories of the Indian Armed Forces and a testament to India's commitment to justice and humanity for all," the army said in a statement. It has been placed at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, where a large number of viewers from India and abroad reach and thus a large number of people will be able to see the painting.

"

What is new on display in the Army Chief's lounge?

The Indian Army Chief's lounge has now replaced the painting of the surrender of the Pakistani army in 1971 with other artworks, including the Pengkag Soo Lake in Ladakh, themes inspired by the Mahabharata and artworks related to modern warfare.

The Mahabharata is a sacred book of Hindus, which describes the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two groups of Hindu gods and goddesses and the family of a Hindu king.

Pope greets Bangladesh on 50th anniversary

While Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh is a place where tensions have been simmering between India and China for years. In 2020, 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a clash between the two. These new paintings and photographs are a reflection of India's increasing focus on its northern border with China.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami deputy secretary general also sentenced to death

Opposition objected

In Parliament, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi objected to this, saying it would discourage the Indian army.

Outside the House, Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi, who recently won the election and entered Parliament for the first time, said that this is a matter of the country and there should be no politics on it.

"Today, you are removing the picture from the army headquarters, which was displayed there for a long time," she said. ‘War crimes’: Death sentence upheld for Jamaat-e-Islami leader

He added, “This picture shows Field Marshal Manekshaw, General Arora and Brigadier Chandrapal ji, today you are disrespecting them? This is a matter of pride for the country, why are you playing politics?

We demand that the picture be put back there.”

Some ex-servicemen condemned the change, calling it an “attack on military history” and an “insult” to those who fought in the 1971 war. “The decision to remove the picture has ignored the sacrifices of the soldiers,” said a retired officer.