The statue at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex in Bangladesh, commemorating Pakistan’s surrender and the conclusion of the Bangladesh Liberation War, has been defaced amid ongoing national protests. The statue, representing the “Instrument of Surrender,” marks the historic signing of the surrender document by the Pakistan Army.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the vandalism via his X handle, attributing it to “anti-India vandals.” Tharoor expressed deep concern over attacks on Indian cultural sites and Hindu communities in Bangladesh, while also acknowledging the efforts of Muslim civilians who have been protecting minority homes and places of worship amid the unrest.
Tharoor called on Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to act swiftly to restore law and order. He affirmed India’s solidarity with the Bangladeshi people but condemned the current state of lawlessness.
The unrest, which began with protests over job quotas, has escalated into anti-government demonstrations, resulting in over 400 deaths and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5. The violence has particularly affected minority communities, causing displacement and a refugee buildup at the India-Bangladesh border.
Yunus has denounced the attacks on minorities as “heinous,” urging protection for all religious groups in Bangladesh and calling on students to resist attempts to undermine their progress.