NEW DELHI: Faced with a backlash from many veterans as well as Congress functionaries like Priyanka Gandhi over the replacement of a painting of Pakistan’s surrender during the Bangladesh war with a ‘semi-mythological’ one in the Army chief’s lounge in South Block, the force on Monday said the ‘iconic 1971 painting’ has been ‘relocated’ to its ‘most befitting place’ in the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment.
A reproduction of the famous photograph showing Pakistan’s Lt-General AAK Niazi signing the Instrument of Surrender in Dec 1971, sitting alongside Lt-General Jagjit Singh Aurora and others, the painting had adorned the lounge – next to the Army chief’s office where he meets visiting dignitaries – for several years.
It was replaced few days ago with a painting titled ‘Karam Kshetra – Field of Deeds’, which depicts Krishna’s chariot with Arjun, Garuda & Chanakya with modern tanks, rocket launchers and attack helicopters against a backdrop of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh & snow-capped mountains.
The new painting portrays Army as a ‘guardian of dharma’ and its ‘timeless commitment to righteousness’, as drawn from teachings of Mahabharata, which is complemented by Chanakya’s strategic & philosophical wisdom, while transforming itself into a technologically advanced integrated force, a senior officer said.
Many veterans, however, dubbed it a “kitsch semi-mythological painting”, with some taking to social media to condemn the move, describing it as an “assault on military history” and an “insult” to those who fought in the 1971 war.
“The photo/painting symbolising India’s first major military victory in 1,000 years, and the first as a united nation in 1971, has been removed by a hierarchy which believes that mythology, religion and distant fragmented feudal past will inspire future victories,” former Northern Army commander Lt-General H S Panag (retd) said.
Congress promptly latched onto the controversy, accusing the Modi govt of attempting to erase and rewrite history. “The picture showing the Pakistan army surrendering to India has been removed from Army Headquarters. That picture should be put back,” Priyanka said in Lok Sabha Monday.
Amid the criticism, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, along with his wife, officers and veterans, installed the 1971 surrender painting in Manekshaw Centre – named after the architect of the victory, late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw – on Vijay Diwas (Dec 16), celebrated to mark the occasion.
“This painting is a testament to one of the greatest military victories of Indian armed forces and India’s commitment to justice and humanity for all. Its relocation to Manekshaw Centre will benefit a large audience due to the substantial footfall of diverse audiences and dignitaries from India & abroad at this venue,” an officer said.
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