Shashi Tharoor Condemns Vandalism of Liberation War Memorial in Bangladesh, Urges Action

Shashi Tharoor Condemns Vandalism of Liberation War Memorial in Bangladesh, Urges Action

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to the podium strongly on Monday to criticise the acts of vandalism at the Liberation War Memorial Complex and Amrakanan in Bangladesh’s Mujibnagar. Reports were received that statues, including that of the signing of the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender, which ended the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, were reduced to a shambles by “anti-India vandals.”

Tharoor had tweeted images of the defaced statues with that of the restored monument and lamented his anger and anguish at the “anarchic excess” next door. He urged the interim government under newly appointed Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to take immediate action to restore law and order.

Commenting on the same, Tharoor said, “Sad to see pictures like THIS of statues at 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, smashed by antiIndia vandals; deplorable violence; GoI must take action.

The Congress MP from Kerala also drew attention to the continuing attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh since the dramatic ouster of Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Hindu and other minority groups are protesting in Dhaka, demanding protection, and Yunus is scheduled to meet with the students and youths of these communities.

Tharoor went on to condemn the attacks on the Indian cultural center, temples, and Hindu homes, noting reports of Muslim civilians stepping in to protect minority properties and places of worship. He warned of an apparent agenda of some of the agitators and reassured India’s commitment to the people of Bangladesh in this troubled time.

“It is essential that @Yunus_Centre and his interim government take urgent steps to restore law & order in the interests of all Bangladeshis, of every faith. India stands firmly with the people of Bangladesh at this turbulent time, but such anarchic excess can never be condoned,” he added.

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This memorial complex, located at Mujibnagar, has inimitable historical value as it is the very place where the provisional government of Bangladesh took oath after the 1971 liberation war. It was this war that laid the foundation of Bangaladesh’s independence and caused immense losses to Pakistan by making 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrender before the Indian Army—the largest surrender since World War II.

Agitations by students in Bangladesh over alleged discrimination in government quota jobs have left more than 450 people dead, and the interim government in the country is facing a huge task of restoring peace and stability following the fall of the Hasina government.