April 4, 1971

Shamsuddoza Sajen

INDIRA-TAJUDDIN MEETING

On April 4, 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad called on Indian PM Indira Gandhi at the office in her residence. The conversation started with Indira’s question, “How is Sheikh Mujib? Is he alright?” Tajuddin said that he had no contact with Mujib since the night of March 25, but added that Mujib had proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh. He sought Indian government’s support for carrying forward the Liberation War. [ Barrister M. Amir-ul Islam, Muktijuddher Sriti, Kagoj Prokashoni, 1991, pg. 31]

Indira Gandhi offered support that included arms and ammunitions, communication equipment and broadcasting facilities, civil supplies and medicines, safe passage and transit arrangements. However, she didn’t touch upon the question of recognition.

Earlier a committee was formed by Indira Gandhi to consider the requirements of the liberation movement of Bangladesh. It was also decided that relationship at the political level would be handled only through the agency of R&AW, and, at this stage, BSF would be main executive agency. [Srinath Raghavan, 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh, Permanent Black, 2013, pp. 62-63]