Every year on December 16, Vijay Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces against Pakistan in the war of 1971. India honours all of the warriors who defended the country on this day.
Why is Vijay Diwas celebrated in India?
After 13 days of battle, India defeated Pakistan on December 16, 1971. General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the commander of the Pakistani forces, and 93,000 other Pakistani soldiers submitted to the combined forces of the Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini.
Diwas 2022 History: It was also the largest-ever military surrender after World War II. A rebellion against the Islamabad administration in East Pakistan started the war. In East Pakistan, the Bengalis and the minority Hindu community were the victims of atrocities carried out by Pakistani forces. Between 300,000 and 500,000 people are thought to have been killed by Pakistani forces, however the Bangladeshi government estimates the number at three million.
Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi decided to provide support to erstwhile East Pakistan. She took a decision to give refuge to people who fled from East Pakistan. It is estimated that 8-10 million people left the country. There has been hostility between India and Pakistan ever since their separation in 1947 for a many of reasons.
Regarding East Pakistan was one of these factors. The circumstances that precipitated the 1971 conflict forced Indian troops to intervene because non-Muslim residents of West Pakistan were being targeted. Bangladesh was liberated as a result of the 13-day conflict between Pakistan and India, which came to an end on December 16, 1971. India's front forced approximately 93,000 Pakistani soldiers to surrender and changed the lines on the globe map.
Bangladesh also observes the day as "Bijoy Dibos," commemorating the nation's official separation from Pakistan. Over 3,800 Indian and Pakistani soldiers died in the conflict.
India consented to release the 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war in accordance with the agreement. Later, the accord came under fire for neglecting to address India's dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir. Critics had said that India could have held the Pakistani troops as a negotiation chip to get its way.