Priyanka Gandhi urges govt to put back photo of Pakistan surrender before India at Army HQ

New Delhi: As she saluted the sacrifices of the Indian military in the 1971 war, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday urged the government to put back the iconic image of Pakistani soldiers surrendering before Indian forces in Bangladesh in Army headquarters.

During Zero Hour of the Lok Sabha, she also urged the Indian government to raise the issue of persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. Congress MPs walked out of the House later claiming that she was not given enough time to talk about the 1971 war.

Recalling the surrender of Pakistani forces on the same day in 1971, she said she wanted to salute “all the martyrs, soldiers and bravehearts” who fought the war. 

“The victory that India achieved could not have been possible without them. At that time India stood alone. The whole world did not listen to us. Whatever was happening in Bangladesh, no one was listening to the voice of our Bengali brothers and sisters,” she said. 

“At that time the people of the country united and stood with their army, the country's leadership and their principles. I want to salute the great martyr Indira Gandhi-ji who showed such courage and leadership that this country emerged victorious,” she said.

Describing the Bangladesh war as a war of principles and she wanted to raise two issues, she said, “the picture showing the Pakistani Army surrendering to India has been removed from the Army Headquarters. That picture should be put back.” 

She said the government should raise its voice against the atrocities being committed on minorities Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. She said the government should hold talks with Bangladesh and give full support to those who are being persecuted.