Updated Dec 16, 2020 | 19:59 IST
Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s statement drew sharp criticism from the BJP which said that his remark was an insult to the Indian Army. Congress leader Salman Khurshid | Photo Credit: PTI
New Delhi: Stoking a controversy, Congress leader Salman Khurshid attributed India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war to Indira Gandhi who was prime minister at the time, saying that “she gave her blessings to soldiers”.
“Today’s day should be remembered as a historic moment. 50 years ago, in 1971, we had given birth to a new country, that is Bangladesh. Our country, especially our soldiers, made a key contribution to the achievement. We can also not forget who gave blessings to our soldiers, who motivated them, who gave courage to them, Indira Gandhi. We gave birth to Bangladesh because of Indira Gandhi’s courage and valour,” Khurshid said in a video in Hindi.