Bangladesh achieved independence on December 16, 1971, through a nine-month-long armed Liberation War against the Pakistani occupying forces. In the final phase of the war, the Indian Army joined forces with the Mukti Bahini.

For this reason, India also observes December 16 as its own “Victory Day.” However, in terms of historical reality, the primary victory belonged to Bangladesh, as it was on this day that Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state.

On the occasion of Victory Day, Tuesday (December 16), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a post on social media platform Facebook. In his post, he referred to the events of December 16, 1971, as India’s victory. However, the absence of any mention of Bangladesh throughout the post has sparked discussion and debate.

In his message, Modi wrote: “On Vijay Diwas, we remember our brave soldiers whose courage and sacrifice ensured a historic victory for India in 1971. Their indomitable spirit and selfless service protected our nation and etched a glorious moment in our history. This day honours their courage and reminds us of their extraordinary valour, which continues to inspire generations of Indians.”

Earlier, the Indian Army also issued a separate post marking Victory Day. In it, they acknowledged the bravery of the freedom fighters, stating: “Vijay Diwas is not just a date—it symbolizes the historic and decisive victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war.”

Highlighting that Indian soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with the Mukti Bahini, the Indian Army further stated: “This was a victory where the Mukti Bahini and the Indian Armed Forces fought together, leading the struggle for Bangladesh’s independence to its final success. This victory redefined the history of the Indian Army, redrew the map of South Asia, and led to the birth of a new nation—Bangladesh.”

The post also mentioned: “This war brought an end to the atrocities, torture, and oppression carried out by the Pakistani Army, which had been imposed on an entire nation.”

The omission of Bangladesh’s name in Modi’s post and the portrayal of Victory Day solely as India’s victory have once again reignited discussions on historical realities and the core context of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.