A statue commemorating the 1971 Liberation of Bangladesh has been destroyed by vandals, an act condemned by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. The statue depicted the historic moment when Pakistan surrendered after the 1971 war, marking the creation of Bangladesh. Tharoor shared an image of the broken statue on X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his sadness over the incident, attributing it to “anti-India vandals.”
The statue, located at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex in Mujibnagar, depicted the signing of the ‘Instrument of Surrender’ by Pakistan Army Major-General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, who surrendered with 93,000 troops to Indian Army Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora and Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini. This surrender was the largest military capitulation since World War II.
Tharoor also pointed out that this incident follows a series of attacks on Indian cultural centers, temples, and Hindu homes in Bangladesh, coinciding with the recent political upheaval in the country. These attacks have been part of a broader wave of violence that has particularly targeted the Hindu minority, who are considered a strong support base for Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
Bangladesh has been engulfed in unrest following a student-led uprising that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The protests, which initially started over quotas in government jobs, escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations, resulting in the deaths of over 450 people. The violence has severely impacted minorities, especially Hindus, who have faced numerous attacks, including the vandalization of their homes, temples, and businesses.
In response to the escalating violence, Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate who now heads the interim government, has been urged by Tharoor to take urgent steps to restore law and order. Yunus has condemned the attacks on minorities as “heinous” and called on all Bangladeshis to protect their fellow citizens, regardless of their faith. Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense, with reports of continued violence and the displacement of minority communities to border areas with India.
Tharoor’s appeal underscores the importance of maintaining peace and protecting the diverse communities in Bangladesh during this turbulent period. He reiterated India’s support for the people of Bangladesh but emphasized that such acts of vandalism and violence are unacceptable and must be addressed by the interim government.
