After 'Tagore look', Modi says he peformed Gandhi's 'satyagraha' for Bangladesh's freedom

DHAKA: Taking part in celebrations of Bangladesh's 50th year of liberation from Pakistan, prime minister Narendra Modi said that he had done satyagraha for the same and was even jailed for it.

“I would like to remind brothers and sisters in Bangladesh with pride, being involved in the struggle for independence of Bangladesh was one of the first movements of my life. I must have been 20-22 years old when I  and my colleagues did Satyagraha for Bangladesh's freedom. I was even arrested for the same.”

Addressing the celebration ceremony, PM Modi said, “Today in Bangladesh, the blood of those who fought for their liberation and the blood of Indian soldiers are flowing together. This blood will form such a relationship that will not break down under any kind of pressure and will not fall prey to any kind of diplomacy… I also salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with my brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in ‘Muktijuddho’ [Liberation War]. I am happy that many Indian soldiers who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War are present at this event today.”

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Recalling former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his speech, Modi said, "On 6 December 1971, Atal Ji had said -We aren't just fighting with people who're laying down their lives in the Liberation War, but we are also trying to give a new direction to history."

“Operation Searchlight and its violations haven't been discussed enough on global platforms. During this struggle, Bangabandhu was the ray of hope. His resilience and leadership had decided that no force would be able to stop the freedom of Bangladesh,” he added.

Hailing the bond between Indian and Bangladeshi soldiers who fought together during the 1971 Liberation War, Modi said that the bond will "not cower to any kind of pressure."

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