From Crisis to Liberation: Indian Media and 1971 Bangladesh War

Abstract

The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was one of the most significant events in the
history of South Asia. The 1971 War resulted in the emergence of Bangladesh following
a political crisis, military repression, and interstate conflict (Sisson & Rose, 1990;
Raghavan, 2013). Within this unfolding crisis, India emerged as a significant regional
actor. When Bangladeshi mass people were murdered by the military of Pakistan,
India intervened and sent army to fight against Pakistani soldiers and supported
freedom fighters (Drong, 2016)
However, historical media research shows that newspapers often contribute to
the construction of national narratives about war and identity. During any war or
crisis, the media becomes an essential source to provide objective and neutral
information (Ryan, 2009). The way Indian media represented 1971 allowed for a better
understanding of how public memory and identity are shaped through journalistic
ways, particularly in times of conflict.
This study analyzes how the war was covered in Indian media during 1971. It identifies
variations in media narrative across news reports. It will use a mixed approach to
present the 1971 conflict in two leading Indian English dailies (The Times of India and
The Indian Express) between October to December 1971. Using qualitative coverage
analysis, the study examines news reports of the front pages of both newspapers
to identify dominant themes, narrative patterns, and representations of key actors.
Data served by interviews of the journalists also. Data will be based on primary and
secondary sources. Particular attention is given to shifts in language, emphasis,
and thematic focus. The results suggest a clear progression of coverage through
all three phases, with a notable move from of the refugee problem and diplomatic
developments in October, to increased military activity in November, following its
formal declaration on December 3, 1971, in December.