Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the Narendra Modi-led BJP government for dividing and weakening the nation and said that India must learn from the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Addressing a rally in Dehradun, the Wayanad MP said that Pakistan bowed its head within 13 days in the 1971 war because India was united.

“Generally, a war is fought for 6 months, 1-2 years. America took 20 years to defeat Afghanistan but India made Pakistan lose in 13 days only as India was united and was standing as one,” he said.

‘Indira Gandhi took 32 bullets for country’

On his relationship with Uttarakhand, Rahul said that just like many families in the state, his family made sacrifices and that’s his relationship with ‘devbhoomi’.

He also slammed the Centre for not mentioning Indira Gandhi at a government function held today to commemorate Vijay Diwas.

“Today a function was held in Delhi regarding the Bangladesh war. There was no mention of Indira Gandhi in that function. The woman who took 32 bullets for this country, her name was not there in the invitation because this government is afraid of the truth,” he said.

The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh and India is hosting a number of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the war.

‘Misogynist BJP government’

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also blasted the Centre for failing to mention the former Prime Minister during celebrations.

In a tweet, Priyanka said, “Our first and only woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi is being left out of the misogynist BJP government’s Vijay Diwas celebrations. This, on the 50th anniversary of the day that she led India to victory and liberated Bangladesh.”

Tagging PM Modi she further said, “Women don’t believe your platitudes. Your patronising attitude is unacceptable. It’s about time you started giving women their due.”