4.

India's role in the Liberation War and in the Formation of International

The role of the MPs of the political parties represented in the Parliament on the question of
Bangladesh was shown in the previous chapter, at the same time the kind of position taken by
the contemporary Indian political parties on the Bangladesh question outside Parliament had
also been reviewed and it has also been shown that the role and position of the Communist
Party of India (Marxist) in this case was very clear. The main topic of discussion in this
chapter is to provide a thorough analysis of India's role in shaping international public
opinion so that foreign powers play a supportive role in the liberation war on the question of
Bangladesh. In order to highlight this issue properly, the initiatives taken at the individual and
private levels will be highlighted first. The second stage will highlight the debates that have
taken place in building world public opinion within parliamentary politics. At the third level
of the discussion, highlighting the initiatives taken by the government in this regard, how
effective these efforts were would be accurately analyzed.
The private initiative in building world opinion on the question of the liberation war of
Bangladesh deserves praise even though this topic has not been highlighted in any researches
on the liberation war in Bangladesh. 'We protest, we strongly condemn'- Under such title the
statement which was published on behalf of writers and intellectuals in West Bengal in
protest of the genocide in Bangladesh, stated in the appeal made to other countries and
peoples of the world on the question of Bangladesh- “There are many countries in the world
today, there are many nations, who claim to be civilized. Much of that claim is admissible.
Will their conscience not respond today? We, the cultural activists of West Bengal, especially
appeal to the artists, creators and ascetics of all the countries. They must have received the
news of this horrific massacre in our neighboring state. Let there be a strong protest from all
of them, to urge their government to condemn this senseless atrocity, to prevent, to perform
their due duties in this regard.” Under the presidency of Shri Tarashankar Banerjee, the
statement from artist-literary-intellectual organization, which was formed with the help of
Bangladesh, stated- "We want to build an ideological movement through our own creations in
our own fields. We want not only West Bengal, not only India, but the democratic
consciousness and human goodwill of the whole world to immediately recognize the new
government of Bangladesh and start a united struggle to stand by its side with all possible
help." On behalf of the All India Civil Liberties Council of India in support of Bangladesh.
Mr. N. Chatterjee (former parliamentarian) said in a statement-
What was happening in the East Bengal was the concern of the international
community and could not be treated as strictly as an ‘internal affair’ of Pakistan.
He added,
The world is not bankrupt of decency and morality. 'Decision to send UN and various
delegations in support of Bangladesh' - The news that was published under this heading, in it,
the Gandhian organizations of India joined hands and decided to send a delegation to the
United Nations and the capitals of different countries to garner support for Bangladesh. Shri
Radhakrishna, Secretary of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, said in a statement Shri
Jayaprakash Narayan will lead this delegation. An international conference was convened to
build international public opinion. And it was said- "There is a proposal to launch an
international peacekeeping operation, like the San Francisco-Moscow operation or the Delhi-
Peking operation. Indian peace organizations are the initiators of this proposal. The Anti-War
League, the US Friend Service Committee and the International Confederation of
Disarmament and Peace have been contacted." Referring to PTI, the CPI (M) general
secretary said in a press statement in the Statesman newspaper that the leader of the
Communist Party of India Mr. N. K. Krishan and Mr. Rameshchandra will go to Moscow
next month to create public opinion in support of Bangladesh. In the ten-point joint statement
pamphlet issued on behalf of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Society, the sixth point stated
in the joint stated-
Afro-Asian countries, especially non-aligned countries should also play their definite
role. Indian, Yugoslav and United Arab republic always stand by the oppressed people.
Afro-Asian countries should meet in a conference immediately.
In the pamphlet which was published by 44 professors, writers and intellectuals from India
appealing for help to the needy people of Bangladesh, it was written-
Even in this age when conscience of mankind has been muted by the collapse of moral
values, there are still countless men and woman throughout the world who cherish
values that have ennobled man. We urge them to hear the strangled cry of the people of
East Bengal in the name of humanity, we appeal to them to join us in mobilising world
opinion to compel the military rulers of West Pakistan to end this insensate carriage
and respect the democratic rights of the people.
The signatories of this petition were Sayad Nurul Hassan, Abdul Alem, S. Makbul Ahmad,
Dr. D. S. Kothari, Sukhmoye Chakrabortee, Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Dr. S. Gopal, Dr.
Ranjani Kothari, Mr. G. Parthasarathi, Mr. Rajkapur, Dr. Devi Prasad Chatterjee, Dr. S. N.
Bose, Dr. Andre Bayle, Professor Tapan Roy Chowdhuri, Professor Nihar Ranjan Roy, Dr.
tara Chaad, Dr. Mulkraj Anand, Subhash Mukherjee and many others. Speaking at the Eid-e-
Milladunnabi rally, Sarbode leader Shri Jayprakash Narayan said, he has decided to go
abroad for the purpose of building a global awareness to recognize Bangladesh. He also said
that he will visit Cairo, Rome, Moscow, Berlin, New York, Japan and Southeast Asian
countries. The news was published in the daily Ananda bazar referring to PTI. The Secretary-
General appealed to the Muslim world to work for an end to this atrocity, against the barbaric
attack on the unarmed people of Bangladesh at a gathering of all religions in Calcutta. Mr.
Golam Mohammad Quader S. Kokor, Mr. Omar Ganguly, etc. addressed this meeting. Mrs.
Padmaja Naidu, Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, appealed to the United Nations to
expedite the relief work for refugees arriving in India from Bangladesh. In a speech in New
Delhi on the occasion of World Red Cross Day, she added, the Indian Red Cross is helping
the government with relief efforts. But this work is so huge that other nations must also come
forward with responsibility. Speaking on the Bangladesh question at the Gandhi Peace
Foundation meeting, Supreme Leader Jayprakash Narayan said-
He would leave on Sunday on a tour to U.S.A., the U.S.S.R, Japan and south-East Asian
countries to mobilise public opinion for the homeless people of Bangladesh. He was
going as a citizen to act for the hope that there were people who could be roused to act
for the victims of the ruthless barbarism.
Incidentally, Jayprakash Narayan added that the Prime Minister of the country, Smt. Gandhi,
had told him that-
It would be a ‘good thing, if you went.’
Joy Prakash Narayan said India expected Yahya to be pressured by the Arab and mixed
Muslim countries to find a political solution to the crisis in East Bengal by stopping the
bloodshed, at a gathering of Egyptian journalists and intellectuals in Cairo as part of the visit.
India had hoped for this as a friend of the Arab world. He added, there is a danger of China
getting involved if the East Bengal crisis is not resolved quickly. Uncertainty will continue.
The greater power will interfere. If the situation there does not improve, East Bengal will
become the second Vietnam.
‘Get World involved in Bangladesh’- Former Foreign Minister Sharan Singh wrote an
article in Amrit Bazar under this headline which drew the attention of the world to the
Bangladesh question. He wrote-
The approach to the world community has to be a positive one we can certainly ask for
more funds. But the response to the appeal of the U.N. Secretary-General has been
disappointing. May be we will get some more money. But that will not solve the
problem. Pakistan must be made responsible by the United Nations to reimburse. The
international community must assume the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the
refugees. Refugee camps should be established in the East Bengal under U.N.
Supervision to house the refuges now in India and others that may come later, till a
settlement is reached to establish Bangladesh on any basis freely acceptable to the
people of East Bengal.
It has already been said that Jayaprakash Narayan traveled to different countries for creating
world opinion, shared his experience with the British political leaders during his world tour
on the Bangladesh issue on 4th June in London. He first met Mr. Anthony Kersa at the
Commonwealth Relations Office. Mr Kors said he was particularly aware of the Indo-Pak
issue. In this context, Jayaprakash Narayan further said, “As a result of the genocide of the
Pak military, the British government has shown considerable sympathy for the problem of
millions of refugees migrating from Bangladesh to India. Mr. Kersa expressed the British
Government's unwavering sympathy for India's plight. According to Mr. Narayan, there are
two reasons why the Western powers are reluctant to cut off financial aid to West Pakistan.
One is that the Western powers think that if the aid is cut off, the money owed to Pakistan
may not be returned.
Second, without the necessary financial assistance, Pakistan may turn to China for help. Mr
Narayan has previously visited Cairo, Rome, Belgrade, Moscow, Helsinki and Paris. Mr
Narayan left London on Sunday. He will then go to Washington. The purpose of his visit is to
establish international sympathy for the problems of Bangladesh and to achieve democratic
rights for the people there.” Jayaprakash Narayan also visited Helsinki besides London to
establish international sympathy on the issue. Since there was an international socialist
conference, so West Germany is unable to exert political influence over Pakistan. He also
visited Paris and was told by French government sources that arms sales to Pakistan had not
been banned. While in London, eminent leader Jayaprakash Narayan called on the world to
be active on the Bangladesh issue. While in London on June 6, he warned of recent
developments in Bangladesh, if the world does not realize this quickly, India will be forced to
take drastic measures to deal with the situation. He added that the people, political parties and
the situation have already started putting pressure on the Prime Minister. During his four-day
stay in London, he held talks with some members of parliament from the Labour, Liberal and
Conservative parties. He told the Indian MP that there was sympathy among the workers for
Bangladesh. Some MPs from the conservative party are also sympathetic. Besides, all the
members he has spoken to are concerned about this. Speaking at a rally in the United States
on June 13, Jaypraksh Narayan drew the attention of world leaders:
World leaders still have time, though not much, to solve the Bangladesh problem and
restore peace.
He further warned-
If they do not intervene, the whole sub-continent would be seething with trouble with
unknown consequences for the whole world.
He appealed to world leadership saying-
To act now when there is still time, Mr. Narayan said that the leaders of the free world
must stop all aids to Islamabad.
At a press conference in Singapore, Jayaprakash Narayan warned the world powers that-
Unless the political problem of East Bengal was settled soon, the security of South and
South East Asia would be in danger. At the same time, he added, Greater powers of the
world should put pressure on President of Pakistan Yahya Khan to make a political
settlement in East Bengal to avoid a catastrophe.
Jayaprakash Narayan published a statement of his experience of his conversations with the
leaders of the countries in a newspaper at the end of his foreign trip with the aim of creating
world opinion in favor of Bangladesh, he consolidated his decision in this way:
We in India must understand that we cannot expect others to solve our difficulties for
us. We have to do that ourselves. Secondly, we have to decide if continued suppression
of the people of Bangladesh, with all its attendant economic, political and social
consequences, will be in our national interest. This is not the same as asking whether a
breakup of Pakistan will be in India’s national interest. President Yahya Khan and his
advisers have already succeeded in breaking up their nation. The question to be
answered is whether then the attempt by West Pakistan to occupy Bangladesh by force,
will all its present and future consequences for us, is a spectacle which we can continue
to behold with little more than brave words. For myself, I am quite clear in my mind
that it would be a grave betrayal of India’s national interests to delay action much
longer.
In this situation, Jayaprakash Narayan called on the Prime Minister to take action against
Yahya. In response to a question from reporters, he said-
The time had come for Mrs. Gandhi to decide whether action should be taken against
the Yahya regime which was exporting internal chaos to India.
Speaking at the public meeting of the association at the Bihar State Bangladesh Conference,
Jayaprakash Narayan, highlighting his experience in building public opinion on the global
Bangladesh issue, said, ‘Carrying the message of Bangladesh's war of independence in
different countries of the world, he realized that, the anti-India propaganda of Pakistani
military clique abroad on Bangladesh has failed. Pakistan's attempt to create such an idea
abroad has completely failed, however, two countries of the world, namely America and
France, have taken a strange view on the problems of Bangladesh. The US government
promised the Indian foreign minister that they would no longer supply arms to Pakistan. But
later it was discovered that the US government had sent six-seven more ships loaded with
weapons to Pakistan. Although France did not send arms directly to Pakistan, weapons were
being sold in the open market to the people of Pakistan. Even if the International (Aid
Pakistan) Committee stops providing assistance, Pakistan will continue to receive aid as part
of a bilateral agreement. In the report published by the Bangladesh Supportive Association at
Calcutta University in April-December 1971, in one place in the May report it was written-
The first major publication of the samite Bangladesh-‘The Truth’ with a foreword from
our President, the Vice Chancellor of the Calcutta University, Prof. [Link], appeared
on May 9, 1971, on the birthday of poet Tagore. This publication has been sent out to all
the world Universities, notable elites, Parliamentarians, newspapers. As far as we are
aware this publication has evoked a wide interest amongst the world elites regarding the
happenings in Bangladesh.
The Indian state legislatures have not played a significant role in shaping the world opinion
regarding the Bangladesh refugee issue. Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha played
an important role in shaping the world opinion regarding the events in Bangladesh. The
statement of the Indian Foreign Minister on the events in Bangladesh and the discussion that
the members had on this statement, taking part in that discussion held Mr. Samar Guha said-
I would suggest a few things India should immediately mobilize world opinion. I would
remind the Prime Minister about this. This is the first time the leaders of Bangladesh
have requested India, Ceylon and other Asian and world countries to extend to them all
kinds of help. They have declared it openly. Thus this is not something against the will
of the people of Bangladesh. The sovereignty of the Independent Government of
Bangladesh has got to be recognized. I would also request the honorable Prime Minister
to take the matter of the genocide of the civilians and the massacre of the thousands of
innocent freedom lovers of East Bengal to the UN Human Rights Commission
immediately and without any further delay.
Mr. K. Manoharan, speaking on behalf of international public opinion in the Lok Sabha
commented:
‘We can focus the attention of the people of the entire sub-continent and we can show
our moral sympathy with the people of East-Pakistan. As to whether something more
than mere moral sympathy can be given, that has to be left to some secret agencies or
international agencies.’ At the same time, he said, ‘That does not mean that the
Government can keep quiet. It can diplomatically move the issue. Government can raise
the issue in the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations or in any other forum
which is suitable for focusing attention on what is going on in East Pakistan.’
He added-
So, I request the Government of India to pay some more consideration and convey the
sentiments expressed by the people and the members of this entire august body to
responsible bodies, specially the Asian African countries and mobilize world opinions.
Taking part in the debate on the same day, Mr. Samnandan Mishra said in this regard-
I would also like to hope that the Government would take steps so that the external
powers like the CENTO or the SEATO do not intervene in this matter in any way and
create an excuse for being on the neighboring soil to menace all of us. This is the thing
which the Government will have to keep in mind.
He added-
We also cannot relent in our duty to project the fact before the international community
that there is now a total ruthless suppression of human liberties and the appropriate
manner in which it can be projected before them must be taken into recourse as soon as
possible.
Independent party MP PK Dutta took part in the debate and said-
At this moment I request the Government on behalf of the Swatantra Party to take the
earliest opportunity to raise the question in the Commission on Human Rights of the
United Nations and in the Afro-Asian conference and in all other International Forums,
and at the same time to send all sorts of relief and medical aid to the people there.
Overall, the essence of the March 17 Lok Sabha debate was that other than the concern and
sympathy the Government should also play a positive role. The demands that came out of
their statements- 1. Let the issue of genocide be raised in the United Nations, 2. Independent
Bangladesh must be recognized, 3. International public opinion must be formed against the
brutal killing of unarmed civilians, 4. Weapons and military propaganda from West Pakistan
to East Pakistan must stop. Above all, the oppressed Bengalis of West Pakistan must be
allowed to enter India. Mr. Shamim Ahmed of Kashmir did not agree with such a statement.
However, at the end of the debate, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi promised 'The government
will decide in time.’ However, she also said that the international policy must be complied
with. On March 31, in the context of the events in Bangladesh, in the proposal put forward by
Mrs. Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha it was said regarding the formation of
international public opinion-
This house calls upon all the people and Governments of the world to take urgent and
constructive steps to prevail upon the Government of Pakistan to put an end
immediately to the systemic decimation of people which amounts to genocide.
‘India is exploring to talk about Bangladesh’ in the United Nations- the news which was
published under this headline, in it was written, “The government has examined the
possibility of raising the issue of Bangladesh in the UN Security Council. Moreover, India
briefed the Security Council representatives on the situation in Bangladesh. The Indian
government has also started talks with non-aligned countries and Afro-Asian countries. Apart
from that, India contacted U. Thant, the Secretary General of the United Nations. India's
Permanent Representative to the United Nations has noticed that U. Thant was disturbed by
the events in Bangladesh. The Secretary-General is fully aware of the magnitude of the
conflict there. It was written referring to PTI, that the question of genocide can be raised in
any international meeting to alleviate the suffering of the people of Bangladesh. For building
public opinion, discussions begun with the world’s two most major powers, the United States
and the Soviet Russia. According to a spokesman for the Indian Foreign Office, the
discussions were aimed at ending the genocide in Bangladesh and find a peaceful way to
solve this genocide issue in Bangladesh. The Indian government began to convey its deep
concern to the governments of those countries through the ambassadors of various countries
in New Delhi. The department informed that negotiations are underway between the two
major powers and India in the capitals of the three countries, Delhi, Moscow and
Washington. Shri. P. K. Dey said on India's failure to garner the international support during
Lok Sabha question-and-answer session on Pakistan's military offensive attitude on the
border-
By an unanimous resolution passed in the House on the 31st of March, we expressed our
anguish and concern at the genocide that is taking place in East Bengal and, at the same
time, made the suggestion that all the Governments of the world may be approached to
take constructive steps for the restoration of democracy in that part of the world and
for the transfer of power to the real representatives of the people, to which fifty-five
days have passed. During these fifty-five days of complacency, except the sabre-rattling
statements of some of the Ministers and of the Prime Minister, nothing concrete has
been done. This intervening period has exposed the bankruptcy of Indian diplomacy.
No step has been taken to raise this question in the Human Rights Commission of the
United Nations or in any international forum. On the other hand, we find that Pakistan
has stolen a march on this country and has secured the support of China, Turkey, Iran
and Saudi Arabia. Even our friend, the United Arab Republic, did not grant an
interview to Jaya Prakash Narayan when he visited that country on that mission.
In reply to this question, Ramnibas Mirdha said that the allegation of P. K. Dey is not true.
He said-
It is not correct to say that the Government has been complacent in this matter. We are
in touch with the Governments of the World. The UN Secretary General has also issued
an appeal for sending assistance to deal with the refugee problem that has been created.
The representative of the UN Commission for refugees was also here for making an on-
the-spot survey. We are in touch with all the world powers and are putting our point of
view across to them, so there is no question of any complacency on the part of
Government in this respect.
The statement made by the Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi, on May 24 about the
situation in Bangladesh, highlighted the role of the Government of India in shaping
international public opinion. And she claimed that in this case, the role of international forces
in solving the problem of Bangladesh is very important-
We have sought to awaken the conscience of the world through our representatives
abroad and the representatives of foreign Governments in India. We have appealed to
the United Nations, and at long last, the true dimensions of the problem seen to be
making themselves felt in some of the sensitive chanceries of the world. However, I must
share with the House, our disappointment at the unconscionably long time which the
world is taking to react this stark tragedy.
At the same time, she said-
We are convinced that there can be no military solution to the problem of East Bengal.
A political solution must be brought about by those who have the power to do so. World
opinion is a great force. It can influence even the most powerful. The Great power have
a special responsibility. If they exercise their power rightly and expeditiously then only
we can look forward to durable peace on our subcontinents. But if they fail and I
sincerely hope that they will not- then this suppression of human rights. The uprooting
of people, and the continued homeless of vast numbers of human beings will threaten
peace.
Demanding the recognition of Bangladesh in the Rajya Sabha, the Indian Foreign Minister
said that as a result of the unanimous resolution passed in the Lok Sabha on 31st March:
We have called for the cessation of the use of force and have also appealed to all the
Governments of the world as well as to all the people of the world. This we have
faithfully carried out because we have taken it up with most of the Governments. We
have taken it up in the United Nations and in the ECOSOC social committee; this
matter of violation of the human rights has been taken up with them.
During the discussion on the statement made by Foreign Secretary Saran Singh in the Rajya
Sabha, over Britain's rejection of India's call for restraining supply of arms to Pakistan in
view of the current situation in Bangladesh, criticizing the role of the government in shaping
world public opinion, Shri Loknath Mishra said-
Now he is going around the world and is visiting the capital cities of the important
countries. I am happy about it and I hope that the Governments of the world are
impressed and the people he is visiting can be trusted with the matter. But his
persuasion may not be long lasting. So our embassies must be activated so that
something concrete is being done and is pursued all the time. His visit and his
persuasion may have a momentary effect. Certainly he would go and try to impress all
those Governments but what is being done to activate our publicity media so that a
lasting impression can be created in those areas where we have some interest?
However, in response to Loknath Misra's remarks, Foreign Minister Saran Singh had said-
The main praise goes to our press and the press of Western European countries, notably
the Soviet Union, France and Germany. In all these countries the general press reaction
has been quite adequate and has depicted the situation more correctly.
Criticizing Sharan Singh's statement, Parliamentarian Jagdish Prasad Mathur said,” The
Hon'ble Minister has now said that the response of most of the countries of the world towards
us is favorable. He only mentioned Russia, the Russian president condemned Pakistan. But
Russia's subsequent statement suggests it is also speaking softly for Pakistan. From this it
becomes clear that any country in the world, whether in the East or the West, so far no one
has spoken in support of our policy and proposal.” Criticizing India’s failure to create world
opinion Shri N. G. Goray said-
It has become very important to question highlighting the news that we have received
only today that the Foreign Minister is visiting various capitals, starting from Moscow
from where he will go to London, Paris and Washington, I would like to know what is
the mission that he has in his mind because since March 25 when Yahya Khan marched
his army and started liquidating the Bangladesh freedom fighters, two things have
happened. One is that no country in the world has shown active sympathy for
Bangladesh. So far as words are concerned they have flown freely, but so far as giving
aid to Bangladesh is concerned, no country has come forward.
In his address to the Lok Sabha of India on June 18, 1971, in the context of creating world
opinion Shri Samar Guha said-
The only step that the Government has taken is that they have sent Sri Sawan Singh
and some other ministers to the countries abroad for arousing world conscience. Would
it not have been the strategy of the real politics, they would have given the recognition
first and then would have visited other countries of the world to create opinion in favor
of the recognition of Bangladesh.
As part of the process of shaping the world opinion, the statement made by the Foreign
Minister at the State Assembly on June 25, at the end of his visits to Moscow, Paris, or, New
York, Washington, and London in the year 1971, June 6-22, and the agreement that was
made with the visiting countries, Shri Bhupesh Gupta made it clear in the Rajya Sabha
session on July 19 that the agreement was not effective at all. Speaking on the sidelines of the
day's talks in the context of Bangladesh, he proved that the Indian foreign minister's foreign
trip did not play any effective role at all in ending United States’ continued support to
Pakistan. He took part in the discussion in the Lok Sabha of India on July 2, 1971 on the
proposal to grant recognition to Bangladesh and criticized India's foreign policy saying,
“What is our foreign policy and in which direction our foreign policy is going to day. We can
see that our foreign policy has reached bankruptcy. Unfortunately, we have no friends in the
world today. … Far be it from us, Nepal too is not our friend today. Burma too is not our ally.
Not only this, but there are some forces in our country that are not in our favor.” However,
Shri Shashibhushan said in this regard, “It is incomprehensible to me that we do not have
allies in the world. Wherever there are progressive forces in the world who are fighting for
socialism, they are with us. I have had the opportunity to go to several socialist countries with
the Member of Parliament of Bangladesh. The people there are cooperating and the
government is also supporting. In two or three months, the entire world will recognize a
change, it never happened. We also fought for independence but how long did the world take
to recognize it? Vietnam got recognized after three years. So I don't think that the world is
not on our side.” Speaking on behalf of the world being in favor of India regarding the issue
of Bangladesh Shri Samar Guha said-
I do not know whether I should use any adjective for our Minister of External Affairs.
If he does not mind it. I may say he is really a misleading Foreign Minister, because he
has misled us to believe on several occasions that if India gives recognition to
Bangladesh no other country is going to follow us. But Shri Jaya Prakash Narayan who
was not bridled by any diplomatic inhibitions and who had a free and frank
conversation with almost all the important leaders of the 20 countries of the world
during his 48 days’ tour of the world has made it clear in a public statement that if
India has the courage to give recognition it will be followed by several other countries,
at least four or five countries will immediately give recognition after India. Only a few
days before we have seen 216 British Members of Parliament issuing a statement in
which they have said that their Government should also recognize the Bangladesh
Government.
I do not know what more the Government expects about mobilization of world
opinion. Perhaps at no time, on no particular issue, has the whole world opinion, the
press and public opinion been so unanimous as in the expressions of their condemnation
of Yahya Khan’s regime and in support of the people of Bangladesh and their
aspiration for freedom. I do not know how long the Government will go on sending
missions abroad to mobilize world opinion.
An important role was played at the government level in shaping the international public
opinion on the Bangladesh question. In a letter to the UN Secretary-General U Thant, India's
Permanent Representative Shri Samar Sen to the United Nations, he wrote, the atrocities
perpetrated by the West Pakistani army on the people of Bangladesh have now reached such
a level that there is no time to be complacent anticipating it as an internal matter of Pakistan.
It has become vital for the international community to take appropriate action. Mr. Sen
warned that if Pakistan's armed forces were not restrained and tensions in the subcontinent
will escalate if international opinion is not indicated towards sympathy and support for the
people of Bangladesh. In a speech to the UN's ‘Social Committee of the Economic and Social
Council’, the then permanent representative Samar Sen spoke in support of international
opinion. He said-
In the face of this, the first essential step would be the Economic and Social Council to
ask Pakistan immediately indicating its content so that concrete plans for organized and
well-coordinated action program for relief work can be finalized under U.N. auspices.
Since the Secretary-General, U. Thant has already offered to extend all possible
humanitarian help, he should have a vital responsibility in organizing such an
international humanitarian relief effort.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appealed to the delegates of the World Peace Congress to
support the Bangladesh movement saying, “Peaceful human society in the agitating world
will stand up for human rights. The fair demand of the people of East Bengal is that their
elected representatives will rule their country. The people of the world, hopefully, will
support this demand and work for the restoration of their rights. These critical situations have
burdened my mind with the indescribable plight of the millions of innocent people.” Defense
Minister Jagjivan Ram said that the Indian government was not silent on creating world
public opinion for the return of Bangladeshi refugees. He told reporters after visiting refugee
camps in Assam and West Bengal-
We have already approached different nations to impress upon the Pakistan
Government the need for immediately improving the conditions in East Bengal for the
return of the multitude of these suffering humanity to its homeland.
The initiative which was taken by the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi as part of the
process of shaping world public opinion was evident in a news published in the daily
Hindustan Standard. In the news it was written-
The prime Minister of India has sent a personal message to the UOAR President, Mr.
Sadat, which was understood to be a primary concern regarding the grave situation in
East Bengal, and its consequent repercussions on the Indian subcontinent, reports PTI.
The contents of Mrs. Gandhi’s message were not known but it was believed that the
Prime Minister has appealed to Mr. Sadat to use his good offices with the Pakistan
President Yahya Khan to stop the bloodshed in East Bengal and assure security to its
people.
In a speech by Indian Foreign Minister Saran Singh on June 17, 1971 at the National Press
Club in Washington, he spoke on the role of India in creating International public opinion
while covering various other issues on Bangladesh. He said-
We would urge the international community as a whole, and countries friendly to
Pakistan in particular, to bring their influence to bear on the Pakistan Government for
a political solution on these lines.
‘India's role in Bangladesh question is being praised in the world’ was the headline of a news
published in the Daily Statesman in which it was written-
Mr. Moinul Hug Chowdhury, the Minister of Industrial development, who has returned
here last night from a tour of some European countries as the Prime Minister’s special
envoy to explain the country’s position on Bangladesh, is understood to have reported
to Mrs. Gandhi on the outcome of his visit which took him to Austria, Hungary,
Sweden, Holland and Italy.
Mr. Chowdhury met the Prime Minister this evening and is believed to have conveyed
to her the general impression of the opinions of these countries were greatly
appreciative of the restraint shown by India in the face of the serious problems posed to
her by the influx of six million refugees.
He also assured that in consultation with their allies, these countries would do
everything possible to bring about a political solution of the Bangladesh issue.
During his whirlwind tours of these countries Mr. Chowdhury has talked with the
Heads of Foreign Government Ministers and senior officials. He discussed with them
the serious economic, social and political repercussions which India was confronted
with as a result of the refugee influx. He tried to convince them that unless the
international communities acted quickly, the peace of the region will be seriously
threatened. He also reminded them of the responsibility of the world community to look
after the multitude, of the people who had crossed into India.
On June 22, in a statement issued in London by Indian Foreign Minister Saran Singh as part
of the global referendum, he said, the governments of some of the countries which he has
visited in the past have considered suspending aid to Pakistan. The current situation is
whether the few of the six countries that Sri Saran Singh has visited agreed to help Pakistan
in the current situation, answering this question at the press conference, he said that he will
not be able to disclose everything that has been said to him domestically, but he can say that
several states are considering cutting off aid to Pakistan for two reasons. First, Pakistan has
created an economic crisis in its own country- Assistance in this situation has become
ineffective there. Second, these states think that if they help Pakistan now, the minority
administration will use that help to suppress the majority. Earlier, explaining the purpose of
the visit, Saran Singh said, he was on a visit to inform the people of these states, UN agencies
including private leaders and newspapers about the main reason for the current situation in
Bangladesh and the problems of his concerned government. He added that the situation has
become increasingly critical and there is no sign of improvement. The main attitude of the
states of the world should be to create the opposite situation in Pakistan, so that the Refugee
arrival should stop and the conditions should change to restore the confidence in the safety of
refugees’ lives and property. He was on a visit to draw the attention of the world's nations to
the issue. In a statement in this regard to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on June 25, the
minister of Foreign Affairs said-
Between June 6-22, 1971, I visited Moscow, Bonn, Paris, Ottawa, New York,
Washington and London, in this order. In each of these Capitals I had detailed
discussion with the Head of the Government and the Foreign Ministers. At the U.N.
Headquarters I had discussions with the U.N. Secretary-General U. Thant and his
colleagues. I also met, in every capital, a number of other Government leaders,
Legislators, Editors, Social Workers and Leaders of Public Opinion.
He also said-
As a result of my talks with the Governments of countries visited by me, the following
areas of agreement emerged:
i) That there could be no military solution and all military action in East
Bengal must stop immediately.
ii) That the flow of refugees into East Bengal must stop immediately.
iii) That condition must be created enabling the refugees to return to their
homes in peace and security, and that this could happen only if the refugees
could be assured of a secure future in their respective homes in east Bengal.
iv) That a political solution acceptable to the people of East Bengal was the only
way of ensuring a return to normalcy.
v) That the present situation was grave and fraught with serious dangers for the
peace and security of the region.
It was generally agreed that the burden placed upon the resources of the
Government of India by this massive influx of 6 million refugees into this country
from east Bengal, a process crowded into just a few weeks, was intolerable and that
the international community must give assistance in this effort, both in case and in
kind.
Along with this he added,
I found in all these Capitals great appreciation for the generosity displayed by the
Government and people of India in looking after this influx of refugees, which was
recognized as an unprecedented one in human history, man-made calamity for the
people of East Bengal, and also for this country. The gravity of the situation, the
enormity of the burden placed on us, for no fault of ours, and the serious
repercussions for the people and security of this entire region if the present situation
was not, brought under control speedily, was recognized everywhere.
"Silent Western countries cannot save Pakistan on Bangladesh issue" was the headline of
the news item in which it was written- “The Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi thinks
that if the Western countries fail to help Bangladesh, there will be more disintegration in
Pakistan. And she said this in an interview published on the fourth page of the ‘Daily
Mirror’ under the headline "The Most Powerful Woman in the World". John Pilger, a
reporter for the Daily Mirror who interviewed her, said in his long article, when Mrs.
Gandhi was asked how the British people could help India in the face of the influx of
refugees from Bangladesh, she replied, aid is not the answer, Western governments are
not being very visionary about the future. As they think, if Bangladesh is not helped,
Pakistan can be kept intact. But we think it can’t be kept that way. The people of East
Bengal have been neglected and humiliated for so long. But who noticed that? If it is
allowed to continue, there will be a breakdown in the other part of Pakistan as well".
Calling on neutral countries to play a role in the Bangladesh issue, the UN Secretary-
General said in a statement, if neutral countries ignore the real situation and if they do not
show the courage to propose a political solution for Bangladesh, they will be condemned
by the whole world and the very idea of neutrality will disappear. Mrs. Indira Gandhi
thinks that international countries should play a positive role in the Bangladesh question.
Speaking in Moscow on September 28, 1971, she said-
What has happened in East Bengal- or Bangladesh, as the world has begun to call it-
can no longer be regarded as Pakistan’s domestic affair. More than 9 million East
Bengalis have come into our country. Do they not have the right to live and work in
their own homeland? We cannot be expected to absorb them. We have enough
problems of our own and we certainly do not need to add to our vast population. In
fact, much money and effort are going into plans to control population growth. This
is not an Indo-Pakistan dispute. The problem is as international one. But the weight
of it has fallen on India, stretching our resources, financial and otherwise, to the
limit. The international responses have fallen short of the scale which a grim tragedy
of this magnitude demands. It is surely the duty of the world not to delay in creating
better conditions in which these refugees, irrespective of their religion, can return
without fear.
In her speech at Moscow University on September 29, 1971, Indira Gandhi reminded of
the responsibilities of other states in the world when she said-
When millions of people are pushed into another’s territory, jeopardizing its normal
life, its plans for the future, and its very security, it is obvious that peace is in peril.
We have shown the greatest forbearance, but it is essential to immediately remove
the basic cause of the crisis by a political solution acceptable to the people
concerned. Unfortunately, there is no sign that this is being attempted. It is the
world’s responsibility to create, without further delay, conditions to enable the
refugees to return to their homes in safety and dignity…
Foreign Minister Sharan Singh addressed a public meeting regarding universal public
opinion in New Delhi on October 24, 1971 saying-
The international community must realise the urgency and gravity of the problem
and the human suffering involved and discharge a great responsibility developed on
it by acting in a concerted manner.
The reflection of the international Austrian public opinion in favour of Bangladesh was
found in Vienna Austrian Society for Foreign Policy and International Relations. He
said-
I am thankful for the understanding and sympathy which I have found in Austria.
Many ordinary people, a woman who sells vegetables, children, and many other
groups like these have come to me to express their sympathy and even to give small
donations. I am grateful for this sympathy and appreciate the fact that people
should extend a hand of friendship at this difficult time. This is the basis of peace in
the world; when we can regard the trouble of others as our own and try to help.
"The world is now more aware of the Bangladesh crisis than ever before"- Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi made this remark in Delhi at the end of her foreign tour. The news
published in the newspaper in this regard said-
On return from her three-week tour abroad, Mrs Gandhi said here this morning
that while she was “on the whole” satisfied with her talks with world leaders, she
could not say how effective any intervention by them would be in resolving the
Bangladesh issue without a war. Shortly after touching down at Palam, the Prime
Minister told reporters that world, including the USA had a better appreciation of
the seriousness of the crisis in the sub-continent.
In the Lok Sabha Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had expressed her views regarding the
world view on the Bangladesh issue after visiting some western countries saying-
My visit enabled me to exchange ideas with the Heads or Governments and leaders
of public opinion at a point of time when important changes were taking place in the
world and to put across to them our point of view on matters of world interest,
bilateral relations, and more especially on situation in Bangladesh and the threat it
is posting to our social, political and economic structure and to peace in this region.
Our discussions help to remove certain misgivings and to focus attention on the root
cause of the problem that is the refusal of the Pakistan military regime to respect the
verdict of their own people, the reign of terror let those by them in Bangladesh and
the consequent influx of refugees into India. I think that these countries as well as
others realise that it will not help to deal with peripheral problems without finding a
political solution in Bangladesh through negotiations with the already elected
leaders of the people of East Bengal and in accordance with their legitimate wishes.
Most countries also realise that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is essential and intend to
impress this upon the military regime of Pakistan.
From the above discussion, it is clear that initiatives were taken at various levels in India
to address the refugee problem, Bangladesh's recognition of the privilege so that the
international community could play a positive role the liberation war of Bangladesh. In
this case, the private initiative to win the support of the international public opinion
outside the initiative at the government level must be appreciated. In particular, various
intellectual organizations, political parties played a very important role. Secondly, the role
of Jayprakash Narayan at the individual level was crucial in creating a global public
opinion. And he raised India's position on the question of Bangladesh in the world court
and he thought that the anti-India campaign around the world on the Pakistan-Bangladesh
issue has failed. Thirdly, the MPs also spoke in favour of building a global public opinion
regarding the issues raised on the Bangladesh issue at different times in the Parliament of
India. Shri Samar Sen played an important role in the Bangladesh issue in the United
Nations.
In this context, the Government of India as a whole took the initiative to build world
public opinion in two phases. Firstly, the Indian Foreign Minister, From June 6 to 22,
1971 visited Moscow, Bon, Paris, Atwal, New York, Washington and London to
highlight India's position on the Bangladesh issue as well as to build a positive attitude
among the citizens and states of all these countries. Although he claimed that his visit was
fruitful. But the later events proved that his visit was not very effective. Secondly, Indian
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also visited Belgium, Austria, Britain, France, the United
States and the Federal Republic and Germany for the same purpose in the year 1971 from
October 25 to November 22. But what was mentioned in this case was that all these
countries of the world were not willing to take a very positive role in the Bangladesh
question at that time. This is very clear from the statement she made at the end of her
November 15, 1971 visit. She said-
There was a general sympathy for the manner in which we are bearing the heavy
burden of looking after over nine million refugees. There have been indications of
additions to the funds for giving relief to the refugees. All these countries agree that
conditions must be created inside East Bengal to stop the further influx of refugees
and to facilitate the return to their homeland in safety and human dignity of those in
India.
Having said this, I must make it clear that we cannot depend on the international
community, or even the countries which I visited, to solve our problem for us. We
appreciate their sympathy and moral and political support, but the brunt of the
burden has to be borne by us and by the people of Bangladesh who have our fullest
sympathy and support.
Nevertheless, it is safe to say that such an initiative has helped to highlight India's
position on the Bangladesh issue in the international arena as well as made these countries
of the world aware of the current situation, in the same way, it was possible to build a
logical framework for the decision taken by the Indian state on the Bangladesh question
later.
References:
1. Daily Jugantar, March 28, 1971.
2. Daily Jugantar, April 6, 1971.
3. Amritbazar Patrika, April 19, 1971.
4. Daily Jugantar, April 29, 1971.
5. Daily Statesman, May 1, 1971.
6. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 339.
7. Tadeb, p. 342-344.
8. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, May 9, 1971.
9. Tadeb, May 9, 1971.
10. Tadeb, May 10, 1971.
11. The Times of India, May 13, 1971.
12. Tadeb, May 13, 1971.
13. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, May 20, 1971.
14. Amritbazar, June 2, 1971.
15. Daily Jugantar, June 5, 1971.
16. Tadeb, June 5, 1971.
17. Daily Jugantar, June 7, 1971.
18. Times of India, June 14, 1971.
19. Hindustan Standards, June 15, 1971.
20. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 413.
21. Hindustan Standard, July 9, 1971.
22. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 427-428.
23. Tadeb, p. 504.
24. Minutes of the Legislative Assembly of India, March 27, 1971.
25. Tadeb, March 27, 1971.
26. Tadeb, March 27, 1971.
27. Tadeb, March 27, 1971.
28. Minutes of the Legislative Assembly of India, March 31, 1971.
29. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, March 30, 1971.
30. Tadeb, March 31, 1971.
31. Minutes of the Legislative Assembly of India, March 24, 1971.
32. Tadeb, May 24, 1971.
33. Bangladesh Documents, Vol-I, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India,
New Delhi 1971, p. 674.
34. Ibid., p. 679.
35. Minutes of the Rajya Sabha of India, June 1, 1971.
36. Tadeb, June 1, 1971.
37. Tadeb, June 1, 1971.
38. Tadeb, June 1, 1971.
39. Minutes of the Rajya Sabha of India, June 18, 1971.
40. Minutes of the Rajya Sabha of India, July 19, 1971.
41. Minutes of the Rajya Sabha of India, July 2, 1971.
42. Tadeb, July 2, 1971.
43. Tadeb, July 2, 1971.
44. Daily Jugantar, April 2, 1971.
45. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 18.
46. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, May 5, 1971.
47. Daily Hindustan Standard, May 21, 1971.
48. Daily Hindustan Standard, May 24, 1971.
49. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 34.
50. Daily Statesman, June 18, 1971.
51. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, June 23, 1971.
52. Rahman Hasan Hafizur (Edited), Bangladesh War of Independence Documents, Vol.
12, December, 2010, p. 591-592.
53. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, July 14, 1971.
54. Daily Anandabazar Patrika, September 18, 1971.
55. Bangladesh Documents, Vol-I, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India,
New Delhi 1972, p. 238.
56. Ibid., p. 241.
57. Ibid., p. 253.
58. Ibid., p. 257.
59. Daily Statesman, November 14, 1971.
60. Minutes of the Lok Sabha of India, November 15, 1971.
61. Minutes of the Lok Sabha of India, November 15, 1971.