basic question was what the people of Bangladesh wanted or could accept. We only expressed our opinion that, insofar as we could understand them, they would not accept anything less than complete independence. There was a period of full nine months when the world powers could mediate and find out if any solution was possible. But all through this period these nations had been only advising India what to do or not to do. as
And when we were attacked, some of these countries even accused us of being an “aggressor”. We have experienced such incidents in the life of our nation, as well international affairs. The world knows about it and also the effects of these events. Many of these rich countries have sometimes complained that their youth followed a wrong path. They failed to see the effect on the youth of the gulf of difference between their precepts and practices. These are fundamental questions, which must be considered seriously. The time has now come when we should be farsighted and should be prepared to do what is necessary.
There is unity in the nation today, but we have to ensure that the unity we have achieved should not only be on the war front. But also about our fundamental ideals and way of thinking. Only then, we shall have real unity, which will make the country strong and powerful. We are doing all that we can to fight the war that is going on. Our minds go to those who are fighting on the front. We pray for their victory and our good wishes are with all of them. We are proud of their courage, their bravery and the spirit with which they are trying to protect their brothers and sisters. We have to assure them that the people stand solidly behind them and are building the strength of the country to fight the war. This is the duty of every one of us to build a healthy nation, a clean and progressive nation striding rapidly on the road to socialism to eradicate poverty. We have to inspire this confidence in our japans and others.
And while we praise our armed forces, let us not forget our brethren of the Mukti Bahini who had no training for war. Boys of the age of 12 have joined the Mukti Bahini, and they have gone to the front after a few days of training. They are fighting with great courage. It is not an ordinary courage, which inspires the men and women, the old and the young of Bangladesh. This courage could come only out of burning desire for freedom. The Bangladesh of their dreams has today become a reality. But her foundations are still not so strong as we wish them to be. We hope that their leaders and people who are fighting bravely will try to build up a strong nation. Let us remember that the shooting war that is going on will not last long. The real fight will begin after that. The tale of the suffering of the people of Bangladesh is very old. They have today got an opportunity to build a new, because they are free. India does not want to interfere in their internal affairs and will make all efforts to live in friendship with them and show the world how two neighbors can help each other without any interference in their domestic matters. We have to present to the world a new ideal.
The Pakistani army now in Bangladesh is no longer a cohesive force. I wish they could see what the demands of the people of Bangladesh are, and with what enthusiasm the onward march of the Mukti Bahini and the Indian soldiers has been welcomed by the people. It is in the interest of the Pakistani army to see the reality and immediately withdraw from there. If this happens, the bitter feelings between them and the people of
