Top News

New Delhi: In America, the discussion regarding ‘Operation Searchlight’ of 1971 has once again intensified. American MP Greg Landsman has presented a resolution in the House of Representatives demanding that the atrocities committed against Bengali Hindus during that period should be recognized as ‘genocide and war crimes’.

This proposal, presented by Landesman, a Democrat MP from Ohio, has currently been sent to the Foreign Affairs Committee. This initiative has again brought the events of 1971 into the center of discussion at the international level.

What was ‘Operation Searchlight’

According to the resolution, on the night of 25 March 1971, the Pakistan government had arrested Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After this, the Pakistani Army, along with groups inspired by Jamaat-e-Islami, launched a massive repression campaign named ‘Operation Searchlight’ in East Pakistan.

During this period, a large number of civilians were killed and widespread violence was carried out. This action is said to be specifically focused against the Bengali population and the Hindu community.

Mention of ‘Blood Telegram’

The resolution also referred to a telegram sent by Archer Blood, the US Consul General in Dhaka, on March 28, 1971, titled “Selective Genocide.” It was said in this, "With the support of Pakistani Army, non-Bengali Muslims are carrying out organized attacks on poor settlements and killing Bengalis and Hindus."

Apart from this, in another message sent on 6 April 1971, which was called “Blood Telegram”, questions were raised on American policy. It was written in that, "But we have decided not to intervene on the basis that the Awami conflict, to which unfortunately the term genocide applies, is an internal matter of a sovereign country."

Violence and its statistics

Political tension increased after the victory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the elections held in 1970. Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were against it. After this, on March 25, 1971, the army started a massive action and people associated with the Awami League were targeted.

Gradually this violence increased against minorities. According to statistics, about 30 lakh people were killed in this campaign and incidents of rape of 4 lakh women were reported.

What is the demand in the proposal?

Landsman’s resolution appeals to the US House of Representatives to condemn the atrocities committed against the people of Bangladesh on March 25, 1971.

The proposal states, "The Pakistani army and its Islamist allies massacred ethnic Bengalis without regard to religion and gender, executed their leaders, intellectuals, professionals and students, and forced thousands of women into sexual slavery."

Along with this it is also said, "They particularly targeted the religious minority Hindus, against whom incidents such as mass murders, gang rapes, forced conversions and forced expulsions were carried out."

The resolution urges the US President to formally recognize these atrocities that took place in 1971 as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.