The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and Its Unquiet Legacy by Salil Tripathi

The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and Its Unquiet Legacy by Salil Tripathi is a powerful narrative that examines the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and its enduring aftermath. Through meticulous research and moving storytelling, Tripathi captures the brutality of the conflict, the resilience of survivors, and the lasting political, social, and moral questions it raised. Synopsis The book delves into the atrocities committed during Pakistan’s military crackdown in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), including mass killings, sexual violence, and the displacement of millions. Tripathi weaves together eyewitness testimonies, historical analysis, and interviews with survivors, soldiers, and politicians to illustrate both the human cost of war and the struggle for justice that followed. Central to the story is the figure of Colonel Taj, symbolizing the unapologetic perpetrators of wartime atrocities, whose refusal to repent reflects the unresolved wounds of 1971. The book also explores how the war shaped Bangladesh’s identity, politics, and relations with India and Pakistan. Key Features & Themes

• Wartime Atrocities: Documentation of genocide, mass rapes, and refugee crises.
• Eyewitness Accounts: Survivor stories that bring human voices to the forefront.
• Justice and Memory: The long struggle for recognition, accountability, and healing.
• Political Legacies: How 1971 continues to shape Bangladesh’s politics and identity.
• Regional Impact: The role of India and the shifting dynamics of South Asia.

Why Read It?

• Provides a deeply human perspective on one of the 20th century’s major conflicts.
• Brings to light stories of courage, trauma, and the pursuit of justice.
• Essential for understanding Bangladesh’s birth, its struggles, and its contested memory.
• Written with empathy, depth, and journalistic clarity.

The Colonel Who Would Not Repent is a haunting and important book that ensures the tragedies and triumphs of 1971 are neither forgotten nor simplified, offering readers a vital lens into South Asia’s turbulent history.