Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the BJP Government of ignoring the role of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the 1971 War as India celebrates the 50th anniversary of the victory, which he said was achieved as the country was united then.
Referring to his grandmother and the former PM, Rahul said she took "32 bullets for the country" but her name was not even mentioned at an event in New Delhi on the anniversary of the victory over Pakistan.
Parliament paid tributes to Bangladeshi freedom fighters and Indian armed forces on the 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas, which celebrates India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh. Making a reference in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla remembered the exemplary courage displayed by freedom fighters of Bangladesh as well as the Indian Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
With Indira not being named in either of the house of Parliament, Congress members raised slogans hailing late prime minister Indira Gandhi for leading the nation during the 1971 war. In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the display of dauntless courage and gallantry by Indian armed forces in 1971 is still remembered with pride and zeal across the country, which continues to inspire the people of the nation.
Congress accused the Government of indulging in petty politics by not remembering Indira Gandhi during the Vijay Diwas celebrations. "It does not make any difference because I know what she (Indira Gandhi) did for the country by giving her blood," Rahul said launching his party's campaign for the Uttarakhand Assembly polls during a rally at Parade Ground in Dehradun.