Blood and Silence: The Untold War on Women in 1971
Introduction: The Forgotten Genocide of 1971
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 remains one of the most harrowing and brutal episodes of modern history, yet the atrocities committed during this conflict are often overshadowed by political narratives. Among the many crimes committed during the war, the systematic rape of approximately 400,000 Bengali women by the Pakistani military and their collaborators stands as a stark reminder of the cruelty inflicted in the name of war. These women were not mere casualties; they were targeted as part of a calculated strategy to terrorise and demoralise an entire population, marking this as one of the most significant instances of wartime sexual violence in the 20th century.
The scale of the sexual violence was horrifying. Between March 25, 1971, when Operation Searchlight was launched, and the eventual liberation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, Bengali women were systematically violated in what can only be described as acts of genocidal rape. Cities such as Dhaka, Khulna, and Chittagong became epicentres of this brutality, with Pakistani soldiers targeting Bengali women to destroy the ethnic and cultural fabric of East Pakistan. Survivors recount stories of unimaginable horror, including being held captive for weeks, enduring repeated assaults, and being mutilated to send a chilling message to the rest of the population. This was not an incidental act of war but a deliberate policy aimed at subjugation and humiliation.
Despite the scale of the atrocities, these crimes were shrouded in silence for decades. The international community, preoccupied with Cold War geopolitics, largely turned a blind eye, while the survivors of this violence were left to carry the burden of trauma and social stigma. Even today, the perpetrators remain unpunished, and the voices of these women are often drowned in the broader narratives of war. Revisiting this forgotten genocide is not just about recounting the horrors but about demanding justice, accountability, and remembrance for those who endured unspeakable suffering in one of history’s most ignored genocides.
Historical Context of the Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was the culmination of decades of political, cultural, and economic disparity between East Pakistan and West Pakistan, two regions separated by over 1,600 kilometres of Indian territory. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was relegated to a subordinate role despite having a larger population. The political dominance of West Pakistan led to growing resentment, particularly when the government refused to acknowledge Bengali as one of the state’s national languages. The Language Movement of 1952, which resulted in the deaths of several Bengali protesters in Dhaka, was one of the first signs of the deep divide between the two regions. The subsequent decades saw East Pakistan further marginalised, with the region contributing the majority of the country’s export revenue through its jute industry, yet receiving minimal economic development in return.
The breaking point came during the 1970 General Elections, when the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a landslide victory, securing 167 out of 169 East Pakistani seats in the National Assembly, giving it a clear majority. However, the ruling elite in West Pakistan, led by General Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, refused to transfer power to the Awami League, sparking widespread protests in East Pakistan. On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a historic speech in Racecourse Ground (now Suhrawardy Udyan), urging Bengalis to prepare for independence. Tensions escalated further, and on March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown on Dhaka and other major cities, killing thousands of civilians in the first night alone. This marked the beginning of the war, as East Pakistan declared its independence on March 26, 1971, under the leadership of Mujibur Rahman, leading to nine months of devastating conflict.
The Weaponisation of Rape During War
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was marked not only by widespread killings but also by the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The Pakistani military, along with their local collaborators, the Razakars, perpetrated mass rapes on an unprecedented scale. An estimated 400,000 Bengali women were brutally raped, many of them repeatedly over the course of the nine-month conflict. These assaults were not isolated acts of cruelty but part of a calculated strategy aimed at terrorising the population, breaking their will to resist, and permanently scarring the nation’s identity. The systematic and deliberate nature of this violence was designed to humiliate the Bengali community, desecrate its cultural identity, and ensure that the scars of the war remained etched in the collective memory of the victims for generations.
Bengali women were specifically targeted as they represented the cultural and familial backbone of East Pakistan’s society. Major General Tikka Khan, infamously known as the “Butcher of Bengal,” oversaw the military crackdown and reportedly sanctioned the widespread use of rape as a means of subjugating the population. In cities such as Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Jessore, women were dragged from their homes, abducted, and confined in military camps where they were subjected to continuous assaults. The aim was not merely to intimidate the population but to actively destroy the ethnic identity of the Bengali people. The systematic impregnation of women was intended to produce children that carried the bloodline of the Pakistani soldiers, a horrifying form of biological warfare designed to dilute Bengali ethnicity. These acts went beyond individual cruelty; they were an orchestrated effort to undermine the Bengali fight for independence and perpetuate lasting trauma.
The psychological and social consequences of this targeted violence were devastating. Survivors of these heinous acts were often ostracised by their families and communities, condemned to live in silence and shame. Many bore children as a result of these rapes and were forced to grapple with the stigma and emotional trauma in a society ill-equipped to provide support. For countless victims, the war never truly ended. They carried the burden of physical injuries, psychological scars, and societal rejection for the rest of their lives. The collective trauma of these atrocities affected not just the individuals but also the broader Bengali community, with the stigma surrounding sexual violence complicating efforts to seek justice or even openly acknowledge these crimes. The deliberate use of rape during the war is not just a reflection of the brutal tactics employed by the Pakistani military but also a reminder of the horrors that unchecked power and systemic impunity can inflict on humanity.
Survivors’ Stories: Voices from the Shadows
The stories of the survivors of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 paint a harrowing picture of unimaginable suffering and resilience. Thousands of Bengali women, from all walks of life, became victims of one of the largest and most systematic campaigns of wartime sexual violence in modern history. Women as young as 10 and as old as 70 were abducted, raped, and tortured by the Pakistani military and their collaborators. In some cases, entire villages, such as Boliadanga in Khulna and parts of Sylhet, were targeted, with women taken en masse to military camps or makeshift detention centres. Survivors recount being subjected to relentless assaults, starvation, and humiliation, often in front of family members. The objective was not just to harm the women but to instil fear and destroy the spirit of resistance within the Bengali population.
Many survivors have shared their traumatic experiences in efforts to break the silence surrounding these atrocities. Ruma, a survivor from Dhaka, recalls how she was taken from her home in April 1971 and held captive in a military camp for weeks, enduring repeated assaults by multiple soldiers. She managed to escape but returned home only to find that her family had disowned her due to the stigma associated with rape. Another survivor, Mariam, from Barisal, gave birth to a child as a result of her ordeal. She recounted the immense pressure to abandon the child because of societal rejection and the trauma it triggered every time she looked at her son. These personal accounts highlight the deep scars left by the war, scars that were not only physical but also deeply psychological and social, compounded by a lack of support from their communities.
The survivors faced an unforgiving society where rape was seen as a source of shame, not just for the victim but for their families. Women who came forward to share their stories often faced ostracisation, divorce, or abandonment, leaving them to grapple with their trauma in isolation. To address this, the Bangladeshi government recognised many survivors as Birangona (War Heroines) in 1972, a term intended to honour their sacrifices and courage. However, for many, this symbolic gesture was not enough to erase the stigma or provide the financial and emotional support they desperately needed. Today, organisations such as Ain o Salish Kendra and activists like Sultana Kamal continue to advocate for these women, pushing for reparations, justice, and the preservation of their stories. The voices of the survivors are not just testimonies of suffering but also powerful reminders of resilience and the enduring demand for recognition and justice.
Pakistan’s Military Strategy: Unveiling Atrocities
The Pakistan Army’s strategy during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was not just limited to suppressing the political and military uprising in East Pakistan but extended to a systematic campaign of terror aimed at obliterating the Bengali identity. General Tikka Khan, infamously known as the “Butcher of Bengal,” spearheaded the military crackdown under Operation Searchlight, which began on March 25, 1971. This operation unleashed unparalleled brutality, targeting civilians, intellectuals, and women as part of a deliberate strategy to crush Bengali resistance. The use of mass sexual violence as a weapon of war was central to this plan, with the military systematically targeting women to instil fear and humiliate the Bengali population. The assaults were not random acts of war; they were a carefully orchestrated tactic to degrade the moral and cultural fabric of East Pakistan.
The Pakistani military relied heavily on collaborators, particularly the Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams militias, who assisted in identifying targets and carrying out atrocities. These groups, comprised of local East Pakistani men loyal to West Pakistan, actively participated in the abduction, rape, and murder of Bengali civilians. In many cases, the Razakars would identify homes where young women lived, and Pakistani soldiers would storm in, dragging them away to be held in rape camps. In places like Dhaka, Jessore, and Sylhet, these camps were set up within military bases, schools, and abandoned buildings. Women were imprisoned for weeks, subjected to relentless sexual violence, starvation, and physical torture. Survivor testimonies revealed that some of these camps held dozens, sometimes hundreds, of women who were violated daily as part of a systematic plan to weaken Bengali resistance and “punish” the community for daring to seek independence.
The military’s strategy also sought to create psychological devastation by targeting Bengali women’s honour, a deeply valued aspect of their society. Soldiers were reportedly instructed by higher-ranking officials to “break the backbone” of Bengali nationalism by using sexual violence as a weapon. The International Commission of Jurists and other human rights organisations later uncovered documents and testimonies pointing to the systematic nature of these atrocities. The explicit aim was to terrorise the population and to biologically “pollute” the Bengali ethnicity by forcing women to bear children fathered by Pakistani soldiers. This genocidal intent was explicitly expressed by senior military officers, with statements such as, “If you want a new East Pakistan, you must kill all the Bengalis” becoming emblematic of their brutality. Despite the overwhelming evidence of this orchestrated campaign, many of the perpetrators have never been held accountable, leaving survivors and their descendants to carry the unresolved weight of these atrocities. The sheer scale and calculated nature of these crimes cement the Pakistan Army’s actions during the war as one of the darkest chapters of modern history.
The Role of Media: Silence and Outrage
The media’s role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 is a story of stark contrasts: silence, selective reporting, and delayed outrage. At a time when over three million people were killed and around 400,000 women were raped, the global media response was shockingly muted, reflecting the failure of international journalism to confront the scale of atrocities unfolding in East Pakistan. During the initial stages of the war, much of the international press was either absent from the region or heavily restricted by the Pakistani government, which imposed strict censorship and ensured that foreign journalists had little access to evidence of its actions. The events of March 25, 1971, when Operation Searchlight was launched, saw thousands of Bengalis massacred in Dhaka alone, yet the international media failed to report the full extent of the brutality until weeks later.
The atrocities committed during the war, including systematic sexual violence, were often downplayed or ignored by major global outlets. One of the rare exceptions was Simon Dring, a journalist for The Daily Telegraph, who secretly stayed in Dhaka during Operation Searchlight and reported the massacre to the world. His article, published in April 1971, exposed the shocking scale of violence against Bengalis and described the Pakistani military’s deliberate targeting of civilians. Yet, this groundbreaking report received limited global traction, as many Western governments, including those of the United States and China, prioritised their geopolitical alliances with Pakistan over acknowledging the unfolding genocide. The Nixon administration, in particular, actively suppressed criticism of Pakistan’s actions due to its strategic relationship with General Yahya Khan, turning a blind eye to the suffering in East Pakistan.
By the time the global media began to take notice of the atrocities, much of the damage had already been done. It wasn’t until reports from India, which housed over 10 million Bengali refugees, began surfacing that the true extent of the Pakistani military’s crimes became widely known. Even then, the focus remained largely on the humanitarian crisis caused by the mass displacement of people rather than the systematic use of rape and murder as tools of war. The deliberate silence from major outlets and the delayed outrage reflected a broader failure of the international community to hold Pakistan accountable during the conflict. This selective reporting robbed the victims of the immediate global attention they deserved and allowed the perpetrators to escape scrutiny. The media’s failure during this genocide is a reminder of how political interests often overshadow journalistic integrity, leaving the world unaware of some of the gravest human rights abuses in history.
The Role of Media: Silence and Outrage
The media’s role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 is a story of stark contrasts: silence, selective reporting, and delayed outrage. At a time when over three million people were killed and around 400,000 women were raped, the global media response was shockingly muted, reflecting the failure of international journalism to confront the scale of atrocities unfolding in East Pakistan. During the initial stages of the war, much of the international press was either absent from the region or heavily restricted by the Pakistani government, which imposed strict censorship and ensured that foreign journalists had little access to evidence of its actions. The events of March 25, 1971, when Operation Searchlight was launched, saw thousands of Bengalis massacred in Dhaka alone, yet the international media failed to report the full extent of the brutality until weeks later.
The atrocities committed during the war, including systematic sexual violence, were often downplayed or ignored by major global outlets. One of the rare exceptions was Simon Dring, a journalist for The Daily Telegraph, who secretly stayed in Dhaka during Operation Searchlight and reported the massacre to the world. His article, published in April 1971, exposed the shocking scale of violence against Bengalis and described the Pakistani military’s deliberate targeting of civilians. Yet, this groundbreaking report received limited global traction, as many Western governments, including those of the United States and China, prioritised their geopolitical alliances with Pakistan over acknowledging the unfolding genocide. The Nixon administration, in particular, actively suppressed criticism of Pakistan’s actions due to its strategic relationship with General Yahya Khan, turning a blind eye to the suffering in East Pakistan.
By the time the global media began to take notice of the atrocities, much of the damage had already been done. It wasn’t until reports from India, which housed over 10 million Bengali refugees, began surfacing that the true extent of the Pakistani military’s crimes became widely known. Even then, the focus remained largely on the humanitarian crisis caused by the mass displacement of people rather than the systematic use of rape and murder as tools of war. The deliberate silence from major outlets and the delayed outrage reflected a broader failure of the international community to hold Pakistan accountable during the conflict. This selective reporting robbed the victims of the immediate global attention they deserved and allowed the perpetrators to escape scrutiny. The media’s failure during this genocide is a reminder of how political interests often overshadow journalistic integrity, leaving the world unaware of some of the gravest human rights abuses in history.
Justice Denied: The Struggle for Accountability
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 is a glaring example of how justice can be neglected for the sake of political expediency. Despite the staggering scale of atrocities committed, including the rape of over 400,000 women and the systematic killing of over three million Bengalis, justice for the survivors and victims has remained elusive. The Pakistani military, which orchestrated these crimes, has never been held accountable. No high-ranking military officers or political leaders from Pakistan have faced international tribunals or domestic trials for the crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The refusal of Pakistan to acknowledge or prosecute these crimes is a brutal affront to the victims and an enduring stain on international justice systems. To this day, Pakistan continues to deny the genocide and violence, dismissing the well-documented atrocities as “propaganda” or exaggerated claims.
In 1972, shortly after the war ended, the Bangladeshi government, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, attempted to bring the perpetrators to justice by drafting a law for prosecuting war criminals. However, the political reality of the time made it nearly impossible to proceed. India, which had supported Bangladesh in its fight for independence, repatriated 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war (POWs) back to Pakistan under the Simla Agreement of 1972, prioritising regional stability over justice. This effectively shielded many of the perpetrators from facing trial in Bangladesh. Moreover, the global powers, particularly the United States and China, remained silent due to their strategic alliances with Pakistan during the Cold War. International inaction further compounded the inability to prosecute war criminals, leaving survivors without any recourse to justice.
Even within Bangladesh, the quest for justice has been fraught with challenges. Although the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was established in 2010 to prosecute local collaborators, such as the Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, these trials have largely focused on Bangladeshi perpetrators rather than the Pakistani military, which was directly responsible for orchestrating the genocide. The ICT trials have been criticised for political interference and procedural flaws, diminishing their credibility. For the survivors of sexual violence, justice remains even more distant. The stigma attached to rape, coupled with the lack of legal mechanisms to address sexual violence in wartime, has silenced many survivors, leaving their stories untold and their suffering unacknowledged. The denial of justice to the victims of the 1971 Liberation War is not just a failure of Bangladesh but of the entire international community, a haunting reminder of how the powerful can evade accountability for even the gravest crimes.
Why the World Chose to Ignore the Atrocities
The global silence during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, despite the horrific scale of atrocities, remains one of the most shocking failures of the international community. Over three million Bengalis were killed, and more than 400,000 women were raped, yet the global powers turned a blind eye. The reasons were clear but deeply unsettling: geopolitical interests were prioritised over justice and humanity. The United States, led by President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, actively supported Pakistan due to its strategic alliance during the Cold War. Pakistan was a crucial intermediary in the U.S.-China rapprochement, and acknowledging the atrocities or intervening would have jeopardised these diplomatic goals. As a result, the U.S. government downplayed the genocide, silenced critical voices within its administration, and continued its military and economic aid to Pakistan even as reports of mass killings and rapes emerged.
Similarly, China, another major global player, shielded Pakistan from accountability due to its close alliance and mutual opposition to India, which supported Bangladesh’s independence. The United Nations, which should have acted as a neutral arbiter, remained paralysed due to the veto power wielded by both the U.S. and China in the Security Council. Despite growing evidence of genocide, including testimonies from refugees and journalists, the UN failed to take decisive action to condemn or stop the atrocities. This silence was compounded by the lack of media coverage in the early months of the war, as Pakistan tightly controlled access to East Pakistan, restricting journalists and human rights observers. When reports did emerge, they were often buried under the geopolitical narrative of the Cold War, reducing the genocide to a footnote in the global struggle for power.
The inaction of international organisations and Western governments also reflected a broader apathy towards crimes committed in what was then perceived as a “remote region.” The refugee crisis, with over 10 million Bengalis fleeing to India, was reported more widely than the systematic campaign of mass killings and sexual violence. Even after the war, efforts to seek justice were undermined by global indifference. The Simla Agreement of 1972, signed between India and Pakistan, ensured that Pakistan’s military and political leadership would face no international tribunal for their crimes. This decision, driven by political pragmatism, denied justice to the victims and emboldened perpetrators. The world’s decision to ignore the atrocities of 1971 reveals not just the failures of international organisations but also the alarming ease with which human suffering can be dismissed in the face of strategic interests. This silence continues to haunt global conscience, serving as a grim reminder of the cost of geopolitical convenience.
Recognition and Reparations: A Fight That Continues
The journey to recognising the survivors of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War as victims of systematic violence and genocide has been fraught with challenges, delays, and societal stigma. In the immediate aftermath of the war, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, declared the survivors of sexual violence as “Birangona” (War Heroines) in an effort to honour their sacrifices and provide them with dignity. This was a bold attempt to redefine the narrative around sexual violence survivors in a deeply patriarchal society. However, the declaration failed to translate into actionable support. The survivors continued to face widespread social ostracism and were shunned by their communities and, in some cases, their families. Many were left with lifelong trauma, physical injuries, and no avenues for rehabilitation, as societal shame overshadowed their heroism. Despite the government’s intention to provide these women with recognition and support, the infrastructure for rehabilitation and reparations remained painfully inadequate.
Efforts to provide reparations have been hindered by legal complexities and political inertia. Over the decades, the Bangladeshi government has struggled to establish comprehensive programmes to assist survivors, including those who were subjected to mass rape and those whose children were born of sexual violence. Laws protecting the rights of these survivors and ensuring their access to compensation have been slow to materialise. The focus of successive governments has often been on prosecuting local collaborators, such as the Razakars, through the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) established in 2010, rather than addressing the long-term needs of the survivors. While these trials have brought some degree of justice by convicting individuals involved in war crimes, the survivors of sexual violence have often felt left behind in the broader pursuit of justice. Many survivors remain in poverty, without access to counselling, financial assistance, or medical care, despite the public acknowledgment of their suffering.
The issue of reparations has also been complicated by Pakistan’s refusal to accept responsibility for the crimes committed during the war. Pakistan’s consistent denial of the genocide and its failure to offer any apology or compensation has left survivors without a sense of closure. International organisations, too, have largely ignored the plight of these women, leaving Bangladesh to shoulder the burden alone. Advocacy groups within Bangladesh have continued to demand justice, including symbolic reparations such as national memorials for survivors, alongside financial and medical support. The fight for reparations is not just about compensation but also about restoring dignity to the women who endured unimaginable violence and ensuring that their suffering is not forgotten. The survivors of 1971 represent a painful yet resilient chapter in Bangladesh’s history, and their fight for recognition and reparations remains a testament to their enduring courage.
Breaking the Silence: The Role of Activism and Literature
The atrocities of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, particularly the mass rapes and genocide, might have faded into obscurity if not for the relentless efforts of activists, writers, and historians. These individuals and groups have fought tirelessly to ensure that the crimes committed during the war are not forgotten. Their work has played a pivotal role in breaking the silence surrounding the war’s darkest chapters, highlighting the stories of survivors and exposing the actions of the Pakistani military and its collaborators. In the immediate aftermath of the war, the narratives of survivors were overshadowed by political concerns and societal shame, but activists like Sultana Kamal and organisations such as Ain o Salish Kendra began documenting the experiences of victims. Their efforts helped preserve crucial testimonies that would otherwise have been lost, laying the groundwork for future recognition and justice.
Literature and art have also been instrumental in keeping the memories of the war alive. Writers like Taslima Nasrin, Humayun Ahmed, and Jahanara Imam have vividly depicted the horrors of the war and the impact on survivors through their works. Jahanara Imam’s “Ekattorer Dinguli” (Of Blood and Tears) is a harrowing account of the war, blending personal loss with a broader critique of the atrocities committed. Similarly, Nasrin’s writings have shed light on the plight of women who were subjected to sexual violence, challenging societal norms that often silenced these stories. Documentaries and films, such as “Rising Silence” by Leesa Gazi, have provided a platform for survivors to share their stories directly, reaching audiences around the world and igniting discussions about justice and accountability. These artistic endeavours have not only educated global audiences but have also empowered survivors by acknowledging their pain and resilience.
In addition to literature and art, historical research has played a crucial role in uncovering the full extent of the 1971 atrocities. Scholars like Dr. M.A. Hasan and Bina D’Costa have meticulously compiled evidence of the genocide and its aftermath, providing a factual basis for international recognition and legal accountability. Books such as “The Blood Telegram” by Gary J. Bass have exposed the complicity of global powers, particularly the United States, in ignoring or enabling the atrocities due to Cold War alliances. Activists and academics have also campaigned for the inclusion of these events in international discourse, pushing for the recognition of the 1971 genocide by organisations such as the United Nations. Through their combined efforts, activists, writers, and historians have ensured that the stories of survivors are heard, their suffering is acknowledged, and the demand for justice remains alive, challenging the forces of denial and indifference.
Lessons from 1971: The Cost of Ignoring Gendered Violence in War
The mass sexual violence perpetrated during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 is a grim reminder of how gendered violence is weaponised in conflicts and how the global community continues to fail survivors. The rape of over 400,000 women during the nine-month war was not a byproduct of chaos but a deliberate strategy used by the Pakistani military to terrorise and demoralise the Bengali population. The survivors of this gendered violence faced unimaginable horrors, including societal rejection and decades of psychological trauma. Yet, even as the scale of these atrocities became evident, the international community chose silence over action, allowing perpetrators to evade justice. This failure to recognise and address gendered violence during the conflict has had long-lasting repercussions, not just for the survivors but for how sexual violence in war is addressed globally. The lessons of 1971 highlight the devastating human cost of ignoring gendered violence and demand that the world takes decisive action to confront such crimes in contemporary conflicts.
In the years since the war, the global implications of failing to hold perpetrators accountable have become increasingly clear. The lack of justice for the survivors of 1971 has emboldened the use of sexual violence as a weapon in other conflicts, from Bosnia in the 1990s to Rwanda in 1994, and more recently in Syria and Myanmar. The systematic nature of these crimes, targeting women and girls as tools to destroy communities, mirrors the atrocities committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Yet, international mechanisms for prosecuting wartime sexual violence remain grossly inadequate. For instance, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia marked important steps in recognising sexual violence as a war crime, but these efforts remain limited and sporadic. The absence of a consistent global framework to address such crimes leaves survivors across the world without justice, perpetuating a culture of impunity.
Recognising and addressing wartime sexual violence is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for achieving lasting peace and reconciliation. The 1971 Liberation War serves as a stark reminder of how societal shame and silence can further victimise survivors, compounding their trauma and erasing their voices from history. To prevent history from repeating itself, governments, international organisations, and civil society must prioritise justice for survivors of wartime sexual violence. This includes creating comprehensive support systems for survivors, prosecuting perpetrators at the highest levels, and challenging societal stigmas that discourage survivors from coming forward. The global community must also hold nations accountable for their actions, ensuring that crimes like those of 1971 are recognised as genocide and war crimes, rather than dismissed as collateral damage. The lessons of 1971 demand urgent action, for every instance of silence and inaction allows gendered violence to persist as a weapon of war.
Conclusion: Never Forget, Never Forgive
The atrocities of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, including the calculated genocide, the mass killings of over three million people, and the systematic rape of more than 400,000 women, demand that we never allow these horrors to fade into obscurity. Forgetting such crimes not only dishonours the victims but also enables history to repeat itself. This was not just a war of territorial dispute; it was an organised campaign of annihilation targeting the identity, culture, and future of the Bengali people. The victims, especially the women who were subjected to unimaginable violence, deserve more than just passing acknowledgment—they deserve justice, remembrance, and a global commitment to preventing such atrocities from happening again. The cries of those who perished and the anguish of survivors should echo through generations as a powerful reminder of the depths of human cruelty and the consequences of unchecked power.
The call to “never forgive” is not a call for perpetual hatred but a demand for accountability. Without justice, healing remains incomplete. The Pakistani military and its collaborators executed one of the most heinous genocides in modern history, yet they have evaded responsibility for decades. Pakistan’s refusal to acknowledge its role in the violence, coupled with the silence of global powers like the United States and China, highlights the failures of international systems meant to uphold justice. The survivors of 1971, particularly the women labelled as “Birangona”, have lived with scars of physical and emotional trauma, often compounded by societal rejection. Their stories must serve as a testament to the resilience of humanity but also as a stark warning about the dangers of indifference. The impunity granted to the perpetrators of the 1971 genocide must not continue, and the global community must stand united in its demand for recognition and justice.
To ensure such atrocities are never repeated, there must be a collective effort to educate future generations, confront historical denial, and challenge political expediency that sacrifices human rights. Governments, historians, and activists must work together to include the events of 1971 in international discourse as a case study of genocide and crimes against humanity. The lessons from Bangladesh extend beyond its borders—they remind us that silence in the face of atrocities emboldens oppressors, that strategic interests must never outweigh human lives, and that justice delayed is justice denied. We must remember the horrors of 1971 not just to honour the victims but to ensure that the world never again allows such darkness to prevail. In remembrance, there is power; in justice, there is healing. Never forget, and never forgive the forces of oppression that sought to extinguish the light of a nation.
References:
Bangladesh genocide
5 Decades of Hidden Horror: The Mass Rape Suffered by Bengali Women and Girls.
History of violence in Bangladesh, a country born out of war
Bangladesh: The fall of a dynasty
yt links
Exposing Pakistan’s Disturbing Past: Atrocities Too Evil To Comprehend
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gz1vNOcYfmI
Rapes of 1971 by the Pakistan Army
