News for 'Bengalis of East Pakistan'

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In a culture where children take up the profession of their father, her becoming a politician was seen as natural and acceptable.

Clashes in Odisha village after tribal woman's beheading; internet shut

Clashes in Odisha village after tribal woman's beheading; internet shut

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Tension grips Malkangiri district in Odisha after a tribal woman was beheaded, leading to clashes and property damage. Internet services are suspended as authorities work to restore peace.

Sheikh Hasina: From reign to ruin of Bangladesh's 'Iron Lady'

Sheikh Hasina: From reign to ruin of Bangladesh's 'Iron Lady'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Now, in exile in India, Hasina, often dubbed the 'Iron Lady' of Bangladesh, watches from across the border as the nation she helped build, and often ruled with a firm hand, grapples with the legacy her rise and fall has left behind.

1905: The Partition Before Partition

1905: The Partition Before Partition

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The partition of Bengal in 1905 split more than a province, it touched people's hearts and awakened India's fight for freedom.

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Will Language Politics Help Didi Win 4th Term?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Will Mamata's bhasha andolan campaign sway Bengal's bhadralok before the 2026 election in the TMC's favour?

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

Rediff.com29 May 2025

While the Prime Minister did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned in B'desh

Rediff.com13 May 2025

The Awami League leaders were charged with committing crimes against humanity over the deaths of hundreds of people during last year's anti-government protests by a student platform. The protests resulted in the ouster of Hasina's 16-year-long regime on August 5.

'Mass Hindu migration from B'desh unlikely at present'

'Mass Hindu migration from B'desh unlikely at present'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee has said the current situation in Bangladesh is unlikely to trigger a fresh round of exodus of minority Hindus into India. He believes that migration is primarily driven by social networks and economic opportunities rather than persecution. Banerjee, known for his work in poverty alleviation, further emphasized that India's overt preference for Hindu migrants from Bangladesh in the past has been a significant factor in their migration, rather than attacks on the community.

If India attacks Pak, B'desh should occupy NE states: Yunus' aide

If India attacks Pak, B'desh should occupy NE states: Yunus' aide

Rediff.com2 May 2025

A former Bangladesh army officer and close aide of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has suggested that Dhaka should collaborate with China to occupy India's northeastern states if it attacks Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Bangladesh's interim government has distanced itself from the remarks made by Major General (Retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman on his social media account. Rahman's comments come amidst growing tensions between India and Bangladesh following Yunus' remarks in China about India's northeastern states being landlocked and needing Bangladesh's access to the ocean. These incidents have further strained relations between the two countries, with India withdrawing transhipment facilities granted to Bangladesh for exporting goods to the Middle East, Europe, and various other countries.

'Disgusting To See Bangladeshis Turning Backs On India'

'Disgusting To See Bangladeshis Turning Backs On India'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'The present generation, either due to historical amnesia or political propaganda, has been fed a narrative that paints India as an adversary rather than an ally.'

63 Hindu families from East Pak get land, house in UP after 40 years

63 Hindu families from East Pak get land, house in UP after 40 years

Rediff.com19 Apr 2022

Each family was given two acres for agriculture purposes, a residential plot measuring 200 sq metres and a house in Kanpur Dehat district.

A 1971 War Hero Flies Into The Ages

A 1971 War Hero Flies Into The Ages

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Wing Commander Pratap Marathe's story is one of dedication, bravery, and humour, a shining example of the spirit of the Indian Air Force. Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) salutes Wing Commander Marathe who passed into the ages last week.

Bengali musical icon Sandhya Mukherjee passes away

Bengali musical icon Sandhya Mukherjee passes away

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

Legendary Bengali semi-classical singer Sandhya Mukherjee, who had worked with leading music directors such as S D Burman, Naushad and Salil Chaudhury died on Tuesday evening following a massive cardiac arrest, leaving behind millions of mourning fans of all ages across borders.

'I Was Fortunate To Fight The 1971 War'

'I Was Fortunate To Fight The 1971 War'

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

'The 1971 War was our greatest military victory.' 'It had so many stories of exceptional valour and leadership.'

The Scotsman Who Loves India

The Scotsman Who Loves India

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

'You have to separate the concept of India as a nation State which is very young and the Upanishadic wisdom which is timeless.'

How Pakistan surrendered in 1971

How Pakistan surrendered in 1971

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

'You have been surrounded from all directions, if you want the safety of your troops and your personal safety, we will give you eight hours to make up your mind to surrender.'

Nixon-led US let Pakistan Army commit genocide in 1971

Nixon-led US let Pakistan Army commit genocide in 1971

Rediff.com16 Oct 2013

While the Indian Government was aware of it, it tried to play it down and instead referred to it as genocide against the Bengali community in Bangladesh so as to avoid an outcry from the leaders of the then Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the today's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, says Gary J Bass, author of the book The Blood Telegram: Nixon Kissinger and a Forgotten Genocide, which recently hit the book stores.

Pippa Review: More Pipsqueak

Pippa Review: More Pipsqueak

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

More than the jingoism overkill, it's the tedious tone of telling stories of this genre that hurts Pippa, observes Sukanya Verma.

Time For India To Revisit Western Alliances

Time For India To Revisit Western Alliances

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

It's time India re-visited its Western alliances for the attitude and approach that the West reserves for the nation when it comes to security cooperation of the kind that they might not have visualised outside of China, India's bug-bear, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

BJP sees opportunity in Bengal post TMC-Cong break up

BJP sees opportunity in Bengal post TMC-Cong break up

Rediff.com11 Feb 2024

Struggling to gain political traction on issues of corruption, the West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party is shifting its focus to emotive topics such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in a bid to achieve its target of securing 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats from the state.

'Pakistani tanks were burning in front of us'

'Pakistani tanks were burning in front of us'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

'The tank battle was fought at ranges of 300-700 metres.' 'It was a rare example of the complete destruction of a squadron by another squadron.'

When Pakistan SURRENDERED to India

When Pakistan SURRENDERED to India

Rediff.com9 Jan 2021

'There was plenty of pushing, pulling and jostling going on as everyone wanted to see what was going on at the table.'

Army Still Up To Mischief In Pakistan

Army Still Up To Mischief In Pakistan

Rediff.com4 Nov 2022

But it is less adventurous. It seems, at last, that in its eighth decade, Pakistan has settled into being a parliamentary democracy just like Bangladesh has and like we have always been, observes Aakar Patel.

When the IAF trained Pakistani pilots!

When the IAF trained Pakistani pilots!

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Air Commodore Nitin Sathe discovers how the IAF trained Pakistani air force pilots, during the 1971 War, which led to the birth of the Bangladesh air force.

B Raman: Pak floods may bring strategic changes

B Raman: Pak floods may bring strategic changes

Rediff.com18 Aug 2010

On November 12, 1970, a cyclone of devastating magnitude struck the then East Pakistan. Over 3 lakh people -- majority of them Bengalis perished and East Pakistan's economy suffered extensive damages.

'Today's actors can't read Hindi scripts'

'Today's actors can't read Hindi scripts'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

Javed Akhtar says he has to write Hindi dialogues in the Roman script for the new generation of actors today because 'they can't read anything else'.

Bhutto to Imran: Pak's history of jailing its former PMs

Bhutto to Imran: Pak's history of jailing its former PMs

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

The first on the list is Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy, a Bengali politician from then East Pakistan who served as the fifth prime minister. He was arrested in January 1962 and put in jail on bogus charges of "anti-state activities". His actual crime was his refusal to support military ruler General Ayub Khan.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Unity exists in diversity, proves Lok Sabha

Unity exists in diversity, proves Lok Sabha

Rediff.com22 Feb 2006

Chatterjee, who had hit upon the novel method to observe the day, was euphoric over the spontaneous response from members.

Are we really different from Pakistan?

Are we really different from Pakistan?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2019

'We have done majoritarianism through other means.' 'The Citizenship Amendment Act, read together with the National Register of Citizens, will prove what I mean,' notes Aakar Patel.

BJP forgets there are Hindus and Hindus

BJP forgets there are Hindus and Hindus

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

'In enacting the citizenship law, the BJP's focus has been so much on consolidating its Hindu vote bank all over the country to divert attention from the economic downturn that the party forgot that there are Hindus and Hindus and that one group of Hindus may not always be warmly embraced by another,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

'Are we supposed to look the other way as Islamists go on a rampage against Hindus and the Hasina government pay lip service to secularism?' A revealing excerpt from Avishek Biswas and Deep Halder's book, Being Hindu In Bangladesh: The Untold Story.

BJP's self-goal in Bengal and north east

BJP's self-goal in Bengal and north east

Rediff.com6 Feb 2019

'After a longish time being on the defensive on the Muslim issue, Mamata found in the Centre's surgical strike just the kind of battle in which she specialises -- hand-to-hand combat.' 'Having routed the once formidable Marxists by her trademark, no-holds-barred belligerence, she is now ready to employ the same tactics against the BJP,' predicts Amulya Ganguli.

1971 War: When my dad trained the Mukti Bahini

1971 War: When my dad trained the Mukti Bahini

Rediff.com11 Dec 2020

Dad had sneaked into East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) well before the war had started for reconnaissance of the terrain on the other side. He had disguised himself as a driver of a truck laden with goods and traveled into East Pakistan to be received by the underground fighters of the Mukti Bahini.

Assam: BJP/RSS and 'illegal immigrants'

Assam: BJP/RSS and 'illegal immigrants'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

'The BJP and RSS were working on the ground to define who is an illegal immigrant.'

Indira's greatest triumph was not Bangladesh

Indira's greatest triumph was not Bangladesh

Rediff.com17 Nov 2017

'According to me, her finest hour was in 1983-1984 when she neutralised a combined US-Pakistan-British conspiracy to Balkanise India by creating an independent Sikh State of Khalistan,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). A special assessment of Indira Gandhi on her centenary.

'No govt promise will work at this moment in Assam'

'No govt promise will work at this moment in Assam'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2019

'The BJP is taking a risk in Assam, but it may face a tough time in coming times,' says Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty.

'How many of us really know our prime minister?'

'How many of us really know our prime minister?'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

'We think we know him because he's written about everyday.' 'But how many of us know him as a person?'

UP seriously planning to implement Uniform Civil Code: Dy CM Maurya

UP seriously planning to implement Uniform Civil Code: Dy CM Maurya

Rediff.com23 Apr 2022

Maurya made the revelation while favouring the expeditious implementation of the UCC both in the country and the state.

US wanted China to intervene against India in 1971 War

US wanted China to intervene against India in 1971 War

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

On December 10, Kissinger began to encourage the Chinese to take action against India: 'If the People's Republic were to consider the situation on the Indian subcontinent a threat to security, and if it took measures to protect its security, the US would oppose efforts of others to interfere with the People's Republic.' On the 50th anniversary of India's greatest military victory, Claude Arpi recalls how the US suggested that China intervene militarily on Pakistan's side.