We are fighting not because we covet any inch of another’s land or to harm any other country. I repeat it because a lot of vicious propaganda against us is being carried on in several foreign countries, and this in spite of our earnest efforts to find a peaceful solution. To the demand of the people of Bangladesh for freedom, were added the sufferings of the common people there and the atrocities committed on the young men, women and children. It had its repercussions on our own country for in a very short time the suffering people came to us like a river in flood. Although the Pakistan army was massacring lakhs of people many nations of the world shut their eyes to this.
The said it was purcly an internal matter. But where whole nation or community was facing annihilation, it ceased to be an internal affair of that country.
How could India remain an idle spectator when people came to us in millions to save their lives? Their spirit and culture were being crushed. During my recent tour abroad, I told the people in several countries clearly and frankly that India could not be just a silent spectator to all this. But it was alleged that I did not abide by, what I had said earlier. They do not perhaps know us.
We, in this country, young men and women, have inherited a great civilization, which has existed not for the last century or two, but for thousands of years. We have learnt to suffer. But out of our suffering has come the strength to fight against oppression, especially when it crosses the limits. India lost her own freedom and was oppressed in every way. People tried to raise their heads here and there but they were put down. A time came when the people of this country, whether they were illiterate, poor or weak. stood up. They all declarer that freedom was their birthright. All efforts were made to crush them. But we won.
We believe that we are fighting today to strengthen our own freedom. Here is a lot of opposition to us abroad, not because anybody is really worried about what has happened in Pakistan. It might be so in some measure but they are really worried that an oppressed nation of dark-skinned people is not prepared to be their line. They are annoyed that we have dared to chalk out our own path and that we have dared to do what we know is just and right. We believe we are fighting not only for our own country, and our own principles, but for all those in the world who have been oppressed under foreign domination from centuries. These nations may not be away, and may not realize how the down-trodden under foreign domination feel. We however, know it, and we are also aware that if we do not fight today we shall in future meet the same fate as they do today. When India fought for freedom and regained it, our success insured others to throw out their foreign rulers one after the other. The reasons why we are at war today are therefore deep and far-reaching. We are prepared to undergo any sacrifice to face the dangers which threaten us and to pursue the high ideals which are the basis of our national life.
A foreign power has threatened us. It has told us that it is bound by certain treaty alliances with Pakistan. We were aware of these alliances. There were many pacts and so far as I am aware they were intended to contain communism. The object of these
