India supported us during 1971 liberation war against Pakistan: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, expressed her gratitude to India for the support given to her country during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan, as well as for providing shelter to her family in 1975, when many of her family members were killed. Hasina’s comments come as Bangladeshis began voting in the general elections, with the prime minister set to win a fourth straight term after the main opposition party refused to take part, raising questions about the legitimacy of the polls.
Sheikh Hasina, in a message to India, stated, “You are most welcome. We are very lucky… India is our trusted friend. During our 1971 liberation war, they supported us… After 1975, when we lost our whole family… they gave us shelter. So our best wishes to the people of India.”
The India-Pakistan war took place in the backdrop of tensions between Pakistan (then known as West Pakistan) and the Bengali majority East Pakistan, which was close to India at the time. The war ended in less than two weeks on December 16, 1971, with East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Sheikh Hasina, became its first president in 1972 and its second prime minister in 1974.
The Bangladesh general elections have been beset by daily street protests, the jailing of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, and other controversies. With most of Hasina’s rivals behind bars, voter turnout is expected to be affected. However, Hasina’s achievements in overseeing one of the fastest-growing economies globally and lifting millions out of poverty as part of her development agenda may overshadow the concerns about a turn to authoritarianism. The main Bangladesh Nationalist Party has boycotted the national vote in response to Hasina refusing to step aside and allowing a caretaker government to run the poll.
Election officials will start counting the ballots after polls close at 4 pm, with results due late Sunday or early Monday. The Election Commission served a notice to at least one ruling party politician for pressuring voters. Street battles between the opposition group, security forces, and supporters of Awami League have been reported.
With inputs from agencies.