Modi greets Bangladeshis, says India stands shoulder to shoulder with them

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted Bangladeshis and prayed for the “rapid progress” of the country on its 46th Independence Day.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 March 2017, 10:06 AM
Updated : 26 March 2017, 10:06 AM

He also paid his tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his leadership to liberate Bangladesh in 1971 during a speech to his nation through his Radio Address, Mann Ki Baat.

“I assure the people of Bangladesh that in India they have a good friend,” he said.

“India stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh. Together we shall keep working towards peace, security and prosperity in our region.”

Bangladesh is celebrating the day on Mar 26 it achieved the identity of an independent nation breaking the shackles of subjugation of Pakistan 46 years ago.

On the night of Mar 25, 1971, the Pakistan Army launched 'Operation Searchlight', a brutal and barbaric military assault on an unsuspecting population to crush the Bengali movement for rights and justice that had turned to a fight for freedom in the face of persistent denials.

Bangabandhu was detained that night. Before he was picked up, he had proclaimed independence.

The undisputed leader of the Bengalis had effectively announced the nation’s independence at the historic Mar 7 rally at the Racecourse grounds when he thundered: “Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram (This time the struggle is for our freedom. This time the struggle for our independence).”

After nine months of the bloody war, Bangladesh emerged on the world map on Dec 16, surfing through an 'ocean of blood'.

Nearly three million people, mostly Bengali civilians, died in these nine months, more than a quarter of a million Bengali women were dishonoured - something that makes Bangladesh's freedom a very hard-earned one.

For the first time this year, Bangladesh nationally observed Mar 25 as Genocide Day commemorating those killed by the Pakistani occupation on that night in 1971.

Bangladesh is also pitching for global recognition of the Day.