The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: A historic event that has long symbolised India’s greatest military victory – showing the Pakistani army signing the Instrument of Surrender in Dhaka on December 16, 1971 – has been removed from the office of the army chief. The painting that depicts an iconic photograph had proudly hung in the office for decades, often serving as a backdrop for official meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries and military generals.
A press communique the Indian Army had released – showing the army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, greeting his visiting Nepal counterpart against the backdrop of the new painting – was the first indication that the old photograph had been removed.
The removal of the image was first reported by The Telegraph, which observed that the iconic photo has been replaced with a new painting, purportedly inspired by the Mahabharata.
The painting, which depicts tanks and helicopters on the banks of Pangong Lake in Ladakh, is overseen by a charioted warrior, a saffron-clad sage and a bird.
Several critics have speculated that the shift is politically motivated, with some suggesting that the government may be trying to distance itself from the legacy of the 1971 victory, which occurred under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
In response to the criticism, a senior defence ministry official speaking to The Telegraph defended the new painting, titled ‘Karam Kshetra — Field of Deeds’, describing it as a representation of the army’s “timeless commitment to righteousness”.
The official explained that the painting, created by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jacob of 28 Madras, reflects the army’s commitment to dharma, inspired by the teachings of the Mahabharata and the wisdom of Chanakya, alongside modern technological advancements.
The timing of the photograph’s replacement has raised eyebrows, particularly as the new artwork is contrary to the current ground situation in eastern Ladakh, where India and China have disengaged following a military stand-off lasting four years.
“It’s shocking that the military leadership did not object to the removal and instead bowed to political pressure,” said a former brigadier to the newspaper.
It also occurs when many quarters in Bangladesh would prefer to ignore India’s role in the liberation war, which seems to be aligned with the decision to not highlight the military victory in the army chief’s room to receive visitors.
The celebrated photograph, taken during the surrender ceremony in Dhaka, showed Lieutenant A.K.K. Niazi of Pakistan signing the Instrument of Surrender before Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, the commander of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the eastern theatre.
On X, retired Major General Yash Mor expressed disappointment, calling the photograph the “only military victory in our modern history”. He added that its removal was deeply saddening for veterans and history enthusiasts alike.
Retired Vice-Admiral Jaggi Bedi quipped on X: “Times surely changing. Bend like the reed is the new normal,” while former Air Vice-Marshal Manmohan Bahadur posted, “Dignitaries and military heads of other countries would meet the Army chief and see the symbol of India’s greatest military event. Now, this ham-handed effort — at what?”
Retired Lieutenant General H.S. Panag posted that the “photo/painting symbolising India’s first major military victory in a thousand years has been removed by a hierarchy that believes mythology, religion, and a fragmented feudal past will inspire future victories”.