50 years on Victory of the Spirit 1971: The liberation of Bangladesh

This book uses a carefully compiled collection of documents and reports to create a flowing and, at times thrilling narrative that allows the reader to better understand the events that led up to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Before its liberation, Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan, and because of the dictatorial regime that West Pakistan imposed there, millions of refugees flooded into India.

In the introduction, Claude quotes Sri Aurobindo’s words from 1940. They were as valid then, for Bangladesh in 1971, as they are today: “It is in fact a clash between two world-forces which are contending for the control of the whole future of humanity. One force seeks to destroy the past civilization and substitute a new one; but this new civilization is in substance a reversion to the old principles of dominant Force and a rigid external order and denies the established values, social, political, ethical the most precious, the liberty of the individual, the right to national liberty, freedom of thought, even religious liberty is to be crushed and replaced by the subjection of religion to State control.”

The book casts a new light on the topic of the Liberation of Bangladesh, by using an impressive array of data collected from different sources, including previously classified files from the National Security Archive (released in 2005).

Compared to other available historical books on the same topic, the author weaves in more depth and nuances. By drawing information from different levels he helps us understand the subject more integrally: from the spiritual level in the context of The Mother, Sri Aurobindo, and the Dalai Lama, to the intellectual impact on the global community through the solidarity of the famous French statesman André Malraux, to the hostile stance of the US and China, to the lesser known involvement of Tibetans in the fight for Bangladesh’s freedom.

Spiritually, key personalities such a spiritual, altogether. Among these values are those which were hitherto held to be Indira Gandhi, General Jacob, and Auroville’s own General Tewari, received guidance through their contact with The Mother. General Jacob received a message from The Mother before the war: “India’s Victory Assured. Very soon you will see some miracle.” Thirteen days into the war, he wrote the “Pakistani forces surrendered in Dacca… India had fought her battle alone.”

Indira Gandhi, after the Liberation of Bangladesh, wrote to The Mother: “Through these critical months I have thought constantly of you. I can find no words with which to express my gratitude for your support. Your blessings are a great source of strength…

” The book criticises the US, the biggest force globally at play, who initially ignored the conflict and then eventually encouraged the Chinese to take action against India. The US had a vested interest in Pakistan because the latter was facilitating the former’s communication with China, and the US was interested in developing trade with China.

Finally, the book talks about the Tibetan Army in India. Originally formed in the hope of one day liberating Tibet, the Force joined the fight, and was instrumental in the success of the operation, although no documentation exists to prove this fact: “The use of the Tibetan Force was the best guarded secret of the War…",

This is an important informative read for anyone - with or without prior knowledge on the topic. Certain topics that are addressed, such as the unity of India, her historical ties with Russia and the complexity of relationship with the US and China, make it a relevant book not just historically, but also to better understand and reflect upon the situations we are facing today, in Auroville, in India, and the rest of the world.

True diversity and solidarity was shown through Tibetans, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims all coming together and fighting on the Indian side for the freedom of Bangladesh.

As the author says: “In a way, the Liberation of Bangladesh was a small step forward towards a freer subcontinent, with all progressive forces of the planet joining in the struggle. For a greater 'unity', we still have to do a bit more.”

Happy reading!