বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড)/৪০

শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ
পাকিস্তানের যুদ্ধের হুমকির পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে প্রতিরক্ষামন্ত্রীর বিবৃতি দৈনিক ‘টাইমস অফ ইণ্ডিয়া’ ১৯ সেপ্টেম্বের, ১৯৭১

YAHYA WILL BE FORCED TO YIELD, SAYS J. RAM

NEW DELHI, September 18:

 The Defense Minister, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, today explained India's concept of a “political solution” of the Bangladesh problem as one that would have the approval of the elected representatives of the war-ravaged land.

 These elected representatives have said in unmistakable term that nothing short of complete independence will satisfy them. “Mr. Jagjivan Ram observed while speaking at a discussion on India’s defense preparedness” here today.

 The way the Mukti Bahini was making heavy dents into Pakistan army’s strategy and morale and the way international public opinion was turning against the military regime of Pakistan, it was possible that President yahya Khan might be forced to concede this demand.

 The Defense Minister said repeated threats of a “total war” against India if the freedom fighters liberated any part of Bangladesh only showed that the Pakistan President was becoming increasingly conscious of the growing strength of Bengali freedom fighters.

 These threats he said were utterances of a “much harassed General” who was facing rebellion from the people and even from the army tanks.

 He chided the “prophets of doom” who thought that in the event of a war, an unprepared Indian Army would be defeated. On the contrary, “my boys in the Army, the Navy and the Air force are ready for the orders”, he added.

 Amidst cheers, the Defense Minister declared that if attacked, “I will not only protect my borders but also thrust the enemy deep down into his territory”.

 Mr. Jagjivan Ram disagreed with a suggestion that in the event of a Indo-Pakistani conflict, the United Nations forces would intervene. He also chided, those who questioned the Government’s wisdom in permitting the influx of refugees-UNI.