Salute to a Soldier-2         Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan            Sensing defeat, the West Pakistan forces dealt a final, crippling blow to East Pakistan. On

A Salute to a Soldier-2

Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan

 

 

 

 

Sensing defeat, the West Pakistan forces dealt a final, crippling blow to East Pakistan. On December 14, 1971, the army abducted scores of East Pakistani intellectuals from their homes. They tortured and killed over 1111 people — namely, teachers, doctors, engineers, journalists, lawyers, and scientists. In Bangladesh, Martyred Intellectuals Day is observed on 14 December.

 

It was on 14th Dec,1971,the allied force crossed Madhumati River in Faridpur. To reach Dhaka promptly, two brigades separated to avoid conflicts with Pakistan troops on the way. Local Bengalis help them to reach Dhaka. Hundreds of local boats help the Indian troops to cross the river. General Manekshaw’s speech addressing Rao Farman Ali was broadcasted. He says, “My troops have cordoned Dhaka city. Dhaka cantonment is within my artillery range. Therefore, surrender! Or else you will be embracing death.” He ensured protection for those who will surrender.

 

 

 

 

The puppet governor Dr Malik sent wire message to President Yahya Khan, asking for permission to surrender. Malik and General Niazi jointly send another message to the Pakistan president, urging him to accept the ceasefire proposal. Yahya rejected both of the requests saying that definitely China and the US would intervene into this matter. “Keep fighting,” he says. Hundreds of Pakistani military men surrendered in different parts of Bangladesh, Moynamati in Comilla, around 1,134 Pakistan troops. It was the beginning of the end, which came ever so swiftly.

 

Sam was a rollicking character. Never short of drama. After leading India to a sensational victory over the brutal Pakistan army, Sam became a national icon. Indira’s intelligence agencies reported the possibility of the Army staging a coup. Gossip was rampant in Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta that such a coup was imminent. General SHFJ Manekshaw, then Commander in Chief of the Indian Army commented that everywhere he went, he was being asked, “When are you taking over?” Among those asking the question were some of Indira Gandhi’s ministers. One afternoon General Manekshaw got a telephone call. It was the Prime Minister on the line, “Sam, are you busy ..

 

 

Field Marshals- both- K M Cariappa & Sam

 

He was a friend and joked with her on the telephone. She asked him to go over and he did. “I had known her for a long time”, he said, “She was a supreme actress. I could see that she had assumed a role to meet me. She was sitting at her kidney – shaped table, with her hand supporting her head. I asked, “What is the problem, Prime Minister, you look very harassed?” “I have so many problems,” she replied. “What are your problems?” I asked “Why don’t you cry on my shoulder and tell me?” She looked straight into my eyes. “You are my problem.” “Oh” I said, “Now what I have done?” Oh” I said, “Now what I have done?” “Are you trying to take over from me?” That shook Manekshaw for some seconds. Recovering he walked across and faced her. “What do you think”, he asked. “You can’t,” she said. “Do you think I am so incompetent?” “No Sam, But you won’t,” She replied.

 

Manekshaw then said: “You know I have no political ambition. My job is to command my army and see that it is kept as a first rate instrument. Your job is to look after the country.” My ministers are saying that a military coup will take place.” “You appointed ministers. Get rid of them. You must have trust in me. If not, find someone else. I am not here to be bullied.”

 

Former Foreign Secretary JN Dixit recounts another interesting incident. One incident reflects the spirit of quiet confidence and humour that characterised the Indian military high command at the beginning of the conflict. I have mentioned Mrs.Gandhi going to the Operation Room for a military briefing at midnight on 3 December. I was told by some colleagues who were in attendance that as she entered the Operation Room, she noticed a bottle of scotch and a couple of bottles on the table. Fastidious as always, there was a frown on her face and she directed an enquiring look at General Manekshaw. The story went that General Manekshaw said to Mrs Gandhi:

“Madam, the brand name of that whisky is Black Dog. It’s the whisky that Yahya Khan drinks. I am quite sure that I shall outdrink him and outfight him; so please do not be angry.”

 

 

Before partition of India, Manekshaw and Yahya Khan (President of Pakistan during 1971 war) were friends and on the staff of Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck. Sam Manekshaw owned a red James motorcycle, which Yahya had an eye on. He offered to buy the motorcycle for Rs. 1000. Manekshaw agreed to sell the motorcycle. Partition happened and Yahya took the motorcycle to Pakistan, never paying the thousand rupees he owned to Sam Manekshaw.

 

After the Instrument of Surrender was signed on 16 December 1971, Gen. Sam Manekshaw was heard saying, “Yahya never paid me the Rs. 1,000 for my motorbike, but now he has paid with half his country.”

 

On Sam’s generous treatment of his subordinates. The young lady was brought to the MI room. She was rather unwell. The Captain looked up at the fair-complexioned and long-nosed Parsi Field Marshal and then looked at the daughter. He fumbled with the stethoscope in his ears and again peered at Sam’s luminous countenance. “Is she too bad, Captain?” he asked.

 

“No sir, she will be alright,” the Captain hurried forth with a reply.

 

He asked the young lady some general questions in English. She looked back with blank eyes and stammered, “Khui, kooni, hui, hui.”

 

 

The doctor suspected damage to her brain and the changed circumstances demanded a more thorough examination. He told the nurse to make her comfortable on the examination bed behind the screen. Sam and his Gorkha batman left the room.

He gave the young lady an injection and was contemplating to call in the full arsenal of specialists. The batman came in and sat on the patient’s bed. He started petting the lady on her head and then even held her hand.

 

“Hey, what are you doing? Leave her hand. Get away from her, you chap,” the Captain snapped at him. Sule Bahadur looked at him as if deeply hurt and said. “Sahib, am I not allowed to hold my ailing wife’s hand in your MI room?”

 

 

The dense fog bank in his mind parted. So, she was the batman’s wife. How callow were his powers of observation. The Field Marshal treated his staff’s families like his own.

 

The patient thankfully recovered in a matter of days and was discharged.

 

In 1973, after becoming Field Marshal and relinquishing office, Sam was visiting the U.K. At a dinner he hosted for the British officers, one of his old commanding officers walked up to him if he could address him as Sam now that he a field marshal. ‘Please do Sir, he replied, ‘ you used to only call me a ‘bloody fool’ before. At one time I thought it was my Christian name’.

 

 

 

 

May we meet the bloody fool on 15th Dec,2022, if you so please.

 

( Author of Sam Manekshaw’s Beloved Armed Forces,Kalaimagal Publications,2021- practicing advocate in the Madras High Court)