Bangladesh: To the spirit of Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman

‘The song is ended, but the melody lingers on…’

by Anwar A. Khan- Feb 23, 2018

( February 23, 2018, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was
arrested by the Pakistan’s military dictator president General Ayub Khan on
political reasons sometimes in 1966 and after two years in jail, an official
sedition trial in in 1968 in a military court was opened which is widely known as
the Agartala Conspiracy Case. Mujib and 34 Bengali civil and military officers
were accused by the Pakistani government of colluding with Indian government
agents in a scheme to divide Pakistan and threaten its unity, order and national
security. The plot was guessed to have been planned in the city of Agartala, in
the Indian state of Tripura. The outcry and unrest over Mujib’s arrest and the
charge of sedition against him destabilised the-then East Pakistan amidst large
protests and strikes. Various Bengali political and student groups added
demands to address the issues of students, workers and the poor, forming a
larger “11-point plan” to oust the dictator and military President Ayub Khan of
Pakistan. The government caved to the mounting pressure, dropped the charges
on February 22, 1969 and unconditionally released Mujib and the alleged co-
accused on the same day. He came out from incarceration as a public hero.
I still recollect that Sheikh Hasina (now PM of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu’s
eldest child) was then a student of the University of Dhaka and stayed in Rokeya
Hall. As a very young girl when she came to know of this great news, she took a
Rickshaw (a human peddler) from there for her residence at 32 Dhanmondi R/A
to meet her great father and the Daily Ittefaq, the powerful voice of Bengali
Nationalism and Mujib’s ardent supporter carried a front page photograph of
her who was wearing Salwar and Kamiz with a girl’s gauze scarf in bright smiling
face. Sheikh Mujib was given a mass reception on February 23, at Racecourse
ground and conferred with the title “Bangabandhu”, meaning Friend of the
Bengal amid thunderous hand clapping by the-then famed student leader Tofail
Ahmed (now Commerce Minister of Bangladesh) on behalf of the Bengali
nation.
Mujib’s declaration heightened tensions across the country. The West Pakistani
politicians and the military began to see him as a separatist leader. His assertion
of Bengali cultural and ethnic identity also re-defined the debate over regional
autonomy.
Joining an all-parties conference convened by Ayub Khan in 1969 in Rawalpindi,
Mujib demanded the acceptance of his six points and the demands of other
political parties and walked out following its rejection. There was a time when
all efforts were made to erase the word “Bangla” from this land and its map.
The existence of the word “Bangla” was found nowhere except in the term Bay
of Bengal. On 5 December 1969 Mujib heroically sounded out at a public
meeting, “I, on behalf of our people, announce today that this land will be
called “Bangladesh” instead of East Pakistan.”
Mujib’s declaration heightened tensions across the country. The West Pakistani
politicians and the military began to see him as a separatist leader. His assertion
of Bengali cultural and ethnic identity also re-defined the debate over regional
autonomy. Many scholars and observers believed the Bengali agitation
emphasised the rejection of the Two-Nation Theory – the case upon which
Pakistan had been created – by asserting the Ethno-cultural identity of Bengalis
as a nation. Bangabandhu Mujib was able to galvanise support throughout the-
then East Pakistan, which was home to a majority of the national population of
Pakistan, thus making him one of the most powerful political figures in the
Indian subcontinent. It was following his 6-point plan that Mujib was
increasingly referred to by his supporters as “Bangabandhu.”
Unrest over continuing denial of democracy spread across Pakistan and Mujib
intensified his opposition to the disbandment of provinces. Earlier in 1966,
Mujib proclaimed a 6-point plan titled “Our Charter of Survival” at a national
conference of opposition political parties at Lahore in which he demanded self-
government and considerable political, economic and defence autonomy for
East Pakistan in a Pakistani federation. Sheikh Mujib announced the Six Points
in Lahore in that year and according to his plan:
1.The constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense
on the Lahore Resolution and the parliamentary form of government with
supremacy of a legislature directly elected on the basis of the universal adult
franchise.
2.The federal government should deal with only two subjects: defense and
foreign affairs, and all other residuary subjects shall be vested in the federating
states.
3.Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for two wings should be
introduced; or if this is not feasible, there should be one currency for the whole
country, but effective constitutional provisions should be introduced to stop the
flight of capital from East to West Pakistan. Furthermore, a separate banking
reserve should be established and separate fiscal and monetary policy be
adopted for East Pakistan.
4.The power of taxation and revenue collection shall be vested in the federating
units and the federal center will have no such power. The Federation will be
entitled to a share in the state taxes to meet its expenditures.
5.There should be two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of
the two wings; the foreign exchange requirements of the federal government
should be met by the two wings equally or in a ratio to be fixed; indigenous
products should move free of duty between the two wings, and the constitution
should empower the units to establish trade links with foreign countries.
6.East Pakistan should have a separate militia or paramilitary forces.
Mujib’s points catalysed public support across East Pakistan, launching what
some historians have termed the 6-point movement – recognised as the
definitive gambit for autonomy and rights of Bengalis in Pakistan. He obtained
the broad support of Bengalis, but his demands were considered radical in West
Pakistan and interpreted as thinly veiled separatism. Despite forming a majority
of the population, the Bengalis were poorly represented in Pakistan’s civil
services, police and military. There were also conflicts between the allocation of
revenues and taxation. The 1965 war between India and Pakistan also revealed
the marked vulnerability of East Pakistan compared to West Pakistan. Unrest
over continuing denial of democracy spread across Pakistan and Mujib
intensified his opposition to the disbandment of provinces.
Following political deadlock, on 7 March 1971 that Mujib called for
independence and asked the people to launch a major campaign of civil
disobedience and organised armed resistance at a mass gathering of people
held at the Race Course Ground in Dhaka. He declared, “The struggle now is the
struggle for our emancipation; the struggle now is the struggle for our
independence. Joy Bangla! Since we have given blood, we will give more blood.
God-willing, the people of this country will be liberated … Turn every house into
a fort. Face (the enemy) with whatever you have.” Pakistan’s military dictator
President Yahya Khan declared martial law on the darkness of 26th March,
1971, banned the Awami League and ordered the army to arrest Mujib and
other Bengali leaders and activists. The army launched ‘Operation Searchlight’
to curb the political and civil unrest, fighting the nationalist forces. Speaking on
radio even as the army began its crackdown, Mujib asked his fellow countrymen
to create resistance against Pakistani Army of occupation by a telegraph at
midnight on 26th March 1971.

Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman
The Pakistan Army suddenly attacked the Pilkhana EPR Headquarter and the
Rajarbag Police Line as well as killed many innocents in Dhaka. The battle
started in various places of Dhaka and Chittagong. He gave a clarion call, “I am
asking help to all the nations of this world. Our freedom fighters are valiantly
fighting against the foes to save their motherland. In the name of Almighty Allah
my last request and order to you all is to fight for independence till death. Ask
your brothers of Police, EPR, Bengal Regiment and Ansar to fight with you. No
compromise, the victory is ours. Execute the last foe from our holy motherland.
Carry my message to all the leaders, activists and the other patriots from the
every corner of the country. May Allah bless you all. Joy Bangla.”
The Pakistani army’s campaign to restore order soon degenerated into a
rampage of terror and bloodshed. With Al-Badrs and Al-Shams forces belonged
to Jamaat-e-Islami and other smaller factions of Muslim Leagues and Nezam-e-
Islami, the army targeted Bengali intellectuals, politicians and union leaders, as
well as ordinary civilians. The East Bengali army and police regiments soon
revolted and AL leaders formed a government in exile under the leaderships of
Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Capt. M. Mansur Ali, AHM Kamruzzaman…
very prominent politicians close to Mujib. A major insurgency led by the Mukti
Bahini (Freedom Fighters) arose across the-then East Pakistan. Despite
international pressure, the Pakistani government refused to release Mujib and
negotiate with him. Most of the Mujib family was kept under house arrest
during this period. General Osmani was the key military commanding officer in
the Mukti Bahini, which was a part of the struggle between the state forces and
the nationalist forces during the war in 1971 that came to be known as the
Bangladesh Liberation War. At our request and following Indian intervention in
December 1971, the Pakistani army surrendered to the joint force of Bengali
Mukti Bahini and Indian Army.
Upon assuming the presidency after Yahya Khan’s resignation, Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto responded to international pressure and released Mujib on 8th January
1972. He was then flown to London en route to Bangladesh via New Delhi and
Sheikh Mujib flew back to Dhaka on the RAF jet where he was received by a
massive and emotional sea of people at Tejgaon Airport on 10th January
1972.The very name Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the embodiment,
not of sentiment, but of a glorious history.
For every end no matter how tragic, there will be a new beginning.
As we remember our history on Bangladesh’s achievement in 1971,
Independence Day, and as we celebrate the Victory Day that will allow us the
chance to reunite with our children, we fight for a large battle that will
recognise the most veteran like the Sheikh and his great contributions to our
country. While typically associated with progress and change, and, indeed, with
new citizens-cum voters, ‘People’s Power,’ as perhaps all too familiar repertoire
of protest, may also have emerged as part of the challenges to institutionalising
democratic consolidation under the able leadership of Sheikh Hasina in
Bangladesh. Veteran Freedom fighter Md. Shafiqur Rahman lamented that the
youths today are not aware of the heroism of the veterans during the 1971 War
and they want to impart to them that their selfless sacrifices must be emulated
in our everyday lives to achieve lasting peace or progress.” “Because of the
advancement of technology, there is less focus on the valour of our heroes…
That’s why, we are trying to help bring consciousness of the importance of their
sacrifices,” he said.
Mujib promised to usher in a new politics, improve moral standards, and
provide leadership by example. He was an unyielding public opposer of
Pakistani corrupt regime. Our country has a colorful political past and present.
He was a firebrand orator. Once he said, “We will applaud if we make the right
decision or we will weep in the end if we make a mistake” His term was
battered by what at times seemed a never ending string of socio-political crises
because of emergence of some evil forces that were on the run because of their
grave misdeeds during our glorious Liberation War in 1971. But his
administration had doggedly and consciously focused on pro-poor policies,
In 971, “The images of people’s power were about to fade into history, but
remain iconic: leaders kneeling in prayer in front of tanks, and unarmed civilians
trying to push back military vehicles with their bare hands. People were
determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be
recognised throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and
of overwhelming force on the other.” Thucydides said, “The secret of happiness
is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” Bangabandhu was always very
courageous for his people and the country. He used to say, “They tried to bury
us. They didn’t know we were seeds. It is through difficulty that we must
discover our true ability.”
The strength of will is the grace of survival. The struggle of change is all ways
winning. Challenges make us grow in faith, in spirit and in strength. “The anchor
of my life is the grace of Allah” was his firm conviction. Brute force, no matter
how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom.
Rabindranath Tagore said, “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out
the lamp because dawn has come.” The Sheikh was a great soul. “A great soul
serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together
again and again” has correctly been spelt out by Maya Angelou. If we remember
Bangabandhu, we should also remember what Angelo Patri said, “In one sense
there is no death. The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond departure. You will
always feel that life touching yours, that voice speaking to you. He/she lives on
in your life and in the lives of all others that knew him/her.”
The next generation should also know that leadership is critical in all struggles:
it is critical to harnessing free elements to produce results; to uniting and
conjugating human forces to achieve desired ends; to achieving successful
human interactions. Strong leadership must work for the general interest as
opposed to personal enrichment. Leadership should create durable democratic
institutions that could operate independent of charismatic leadership. Sheikh
Mujib’s politics was in line with these spirits. We can call him “the incarnation
of the heroic figure of the fighter.” One of Bangabandhu’s true votaries and a
1971 war veteran Syed Shahidul Haque Mama once said, “He did politics with
integrity, commitment, dedication and honesty. After him, there is no one who
will take a principled stand in politics. I used to say to him that he should write
his memoirs. He would reply that he was writing them. He knew a lot. Sad, I
don’t see the kind of integrity that he had in any of the current lot of
politicians.”
Another 1971 war veteran and Editor of weekly Postcard Md. Mujibur Rahman
said, “His death has brought a chapter of progressive politics to a close. He
ended his journey from where he began, that is, he never moved away from his
path. He always preferred society’s happiness to personal happiness. He did not
succeed to shape society the way he wanted because of his brutal murder, so
his dreams remained unfulfilled.”
Politicians play an important role in the development of a country. The world
has seen many great politicians emerging out in last decades. He committed his
life to working with the poor throughout the country.
A few days back, there was an event held to celebrate Bangabandhu’s life.
There were many participants and Dhali Moazzem Hossain, a senior most 1971
war veteran and once senior post holding leader in BCL, Juba League and AL was
discussing that these days people like Mujib are hard to find. It is a great loss for
us and for Bangladesh.” He added, “Bangabandhu belonged to that generation
which was full of imagination and had ideals. It was a time when there was
commotion in the entire world: third world countries were gaining
independence, American imperialism was being protested against, in America
itself street fighting was happening. At that time, he played an important part in
the movement and protested against Ayub Khan’s military dictatorship. ….
jailed for the Agartala Conspiracy case which elicited a strong response from the
whole country. Because of his clarion call, we pledged to leave our wives and
mothers to go out on the battlefield in 1971 to attain Bangladesh.”
In 1971, bullets were whizzing right over our heads but our people cared very
little to them. Bangladesh had to be achieved- that was the principal motto of
them. On this month, the spirit of remembrance remembers and honours
Bangabandhu and for those whose sacrifices have provided us with the freedom
that we enjoy today. Our dedication is from the heart, as we provide a complete
form of remembrance that comes from understanding and explaining the events
that has led to the immense sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of our young
men and women in innumerable incidents over two decades in particular. True
understanding of remembrance comes from visiting where history was made in
the company of likeminded people and expert battlefield guides like the above-
mentioned great freedom fighters.
The Sheikh led the Bangladesh people to its greatest victory against impossible
odds – daring to defy the red eyes of the Pakistani rulers. His battle was like:
“We shall defend our land, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the
beaches, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills
… we shall never surrender.” He also possessed incredible wit. However, the
highpoint in his career came when he addressed the nation on 7th March, 1971
in the Race Course Ground in a thunderous voice.
He is known for his extensive work of fighting for the rights of his own people.
His story is one of perseverance and success against all odds. …..thereby earning
the title, ‘”Father of the Bengali Nation” from his people. He combined an
unapologetically progressive view of what the country could be with a
pragmatic willingness to work across party-lines to get things done. The
momentous shift of the political landscape in that time has enshrined him in the
pantheon of Bangladesh’s people. He remains as the most popular and beloved
political leader in history during his time.
Politicians play an important role in the development of a country. The world
has seen many great politicians emerging out in last decades. He committed his
life to working with the poor throughout the country. He lived among
impoverished people so that he could better serve them. He personified the
potential for goodness in humans and in doing so; he became a role model for
people throughout the world. A great orator, Bangabandhu felt that liberation
of the nation was more important than his great personal sacrifice throughout
his life. He inspired people of Bangladesh to rise up and challenge injustices and
exploitations imposed on us by the Pakistani rulers.
He continued to fight for human rights, democracy and creation of Bangladesh
in 1971. His 7th March speech served as a model for many other political
revolutionary movements leading to a large scale armed struggle against the
Pakistani occupation forces. He is known as a great politician, and world leader.
He was noted for his courage in directing his people, his vision in protecting his
people from exploitation by the Pakistani regime and his commitment to the
cause of betterment of his people. He transformed all people of Bangladesh into
a single platform to fight against the brutal Pakistani Military junta and achieve
our beloved country.
The world is full of aspiring political leaders but sadly, very few live up to the
leadership ideals. In fact, many political leaders seem to severely lack some of
the most important leadership qualities, such as integrity and accountability.
“One thing I believe profoundly: We make our own history. The course of
history is directed by the choices we make and our choices grow out of the
ideas, the beliefs, the values, the dreams of the people. It is not so much the
powerful leaders that determine our destiny as the much more powerful
influence of the combined voices of the people themselves” and these words of
Eleanor Roosevelt are truly compatible with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman’s long struggle for Bangladesh’s independence. His political voice was
continued to be heard throughout his life but his legacy as an advocate for the
downtrodden has continued. His ability to summarise the range of human
emotions in simple yet eloquent words and phrases have led to his enduring
popularity and power and the standard to which others are held.
There is that great proverb – “that until the lions have their own historians, the
history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” He was like a lion. He wrote
history. He made history. He inspired so many by his example of caring for the
poor and needy. He was canonised as “The Founding Father” of our nation. He
began his leadership role early in life. He was integral to the rise and power of
Bangladesh. He was the leader of Bangladesh during its height and greatness in
the world. He developed a cult following and remains an icon of the politically
revolutionary-minded worldwide. He is an iconic symbol of revolutionary
movements worldwide. Even after his passing, the Sheikh has become a
household name, a true testament to his perseverance and dedication to the
cause of people’s welfare.
Leading by examples, Bangabandhu embodied the love, hope, and
understanding that he expressed in his sermons and speeches. Over the course
of its magnificent history, Bangladesh has been led by the most charismatic of
leaders who have guided this country’s people and served as an inspiration for
all of us. But one of the greatest personalities ever born in this country and he is
Mujib. He is also known as the “People’s Politician”, one of the most charming
leaders in the country even in today’s time. Let us pay tribute to him and his
party stalwarts.
The world is full of aspiring political leaders but sadly, very few live up to the
leadership ideals. In fact, many political leaders seem to severely lack some of
the most important leadership qualities, such as integrity and accountability. It
is no coincidence that for many people, the word “politician” has such negative
connotations! However, history – and present day – shows us that there are still
a few who come close to the leadership ideals and who are good examples of an
effective political leader and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the
most effective political leader.
Political leaders are vitally important – through the authority of government,
they assess the distribution of power and resources, build relationships with
other stakeholders and make decisions that can have great impact on the well-
being of a nation and its people. Leadership in the political framework requires
a focus on the long-term good of a country, above and ahead of any personal
short-term gains. Good political leadership requires a combination of charisma
and integrity, as well as the ability to assess a situation and make a decision
based on what would be best for the greatest number of people. Most of all,
leadership in a political framework requires ‘statesmanship’ – as opposed to
just being a ‘politician’ – this means having the integrity and willingness to stand
up for what is right, even if it means resigning a position in government or losing
an election.
Ironically, those who make good political leaders are often those who least
want the position in the first place! These are individuals who do not seek
power but who have authority conferred upon them by others who value their
judgment. A good political leader is someone who serves as an example of
integrity and loyalty to the people they represent, both to the public and to
other political leaders; someone with good communication and inter-personal
skills, who can work with a range of other people, regardless of political party or
opinion, to achieve the greatest good for the general population; someone who
can resist the various temptations and lures of the political arena; someone of
strong character, with both conscience and charisma; someone willing to listen
to the needs of the common people and to represent them faithfully; someone
with the courage to stand up and say what needs to be said – rather than just
tell the general public what it wants to hear; someone who is willing to make
difficult (and possibly unpopular) decisions for the greater good.
Accountability is crucial to effective political leadership, as without this; there
will be no respect from the followers.
An effective political leader will have a leadership style that focuses on coalition
and building, while an ineffective leadership situation results from a leader who
is a “hustler” – i.e. who uses manipulation to get what they want, instead of
inspiration and motivation. While negotiation and even coercion are sometimes
necessary, a good political leader will always try to use persuasion first. One of
the key leadership qualities many political leaders lack is ability to take
responsibility. A lot of political leaders are very adept at pointing the finger at
everyone else and few seem able to accept responsibility for their mistakes,
admit their political failures and acknowledge their own contribution to a
problem.
Accountability is crucial to effective political leadership, as without this; there
will be no respect from the followers. A good political leader is someone who
will be honest and responsible for their own actions and decisions and who is
willing to admit when they have made a mistake. They will focus their energies
and time on representing the people rather than spending all the time covering
their backs and criticising others. Team work is a great way to build confidence
and teach leadership to teenagers and youths but for many, the thought of
leading a group of teenagers can be a daunting one. However, teenagers
respond to the same principles of respect, integrity and communication that
defines good leadership in other arenas so by applying the same skills when
dealing with a group of youths, it is possible to achieve success.
Well-organised groups and teams with good leaders provide a much-needed
healthy community and environment where teenagers and youths can learn
about themselves, their relationships with others and their place in the world.
Time spent in groups and teams can be very important and beneficial to
teenagers. Especially in our increasingly hectic modern society, there is a danger
of isolation in the bigness of our culture and with the re-definition of family
structures that has occurred in the past few decades, many teenagers no longer
have a traditional community or extended family to grow up with. This means
that they may look for a supportive community in other places – which may not
be as healthy for their physical and emotional well-being. Well-organised
groups and teams with good leaders provide a much-needed healthy
community and environment where teenagers and youths can learn about
themselves, their relationships with others and their place in the world. Here
they can build on the skills and traits which will enable them to achieve success
in the rest of their lives and also form significant relationships with caring adults
who can model leadership.
Youth leaders require many of the same qualities and skills as leaders in other
arenas, even though they may not be managing projects in the corporate
business world or discussing world politics. In fact, they could be considered as
having an even more important responsibility as their decisions and actions are
potentially influencing and shaping the future lives of many young adults. They
have even greater responsibilities as a role model than leaders in many other
fields and their communication and inter-personal skills have to be even more
sophisticated than in many other leadership positions.
Here are two traits that are very important for a youth leader: A well-known
cartoon by Gary Larson shows a human giving a dog lengthy instructions and the
dog not hearing a word except his name! Communicating with teenagers can
seem like this scenario if you don’t make the effort to express yourself clearly
and persuasively, and if you don’t command enough respect for the teenagers
to want to listen to you.
However, beware of talking too much! Some youth leaders in their enthusiasm
to impart wisdom and advice on their charges never give their group members a
chance to talk as well. This kind of leader will often give long, personal
anecdotes and even when he finally pauses to ask a question, may interrupt any
answers offered to give the answer himself. This will lead to resentment from
the teenagers at being talked at rather than talked to and could well lead to the
above scenario of them shutting themselves off and ultimately, not hearing
anything that is being said.
At the other end of the spectrum is the youth leader who lets his charges walk
all over him. Often because he is too worried about being popular and getting
the group members to like him, such a leader is weak and ineffective: his group
does not follow directions, they are disrespectful to him and to each other and
whenever he makes a weak attempt at asserting leadership, they either laugh at
him or ignore him. Sadly, this pattern of behaviour becomes harder to change
the longer it is allowed to continue – so for anyone to be effective leader of
teenagers, it is important to establish authority and respect early on in the
relationship.
The inevitable Bangabandu: Possibly the greatest Bangladesh’s political leaders
of all times, who profoundly influenced the political ideas of Bangladesh’s
people as no one else could, and left his indelible impact on the course of the
country’s history both before and after his brutal assassination. He hugely
altered the course of the movement as well as the destiny of the Nation itself.
The Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has rightfully been given the title of the “Father of
the Nation” as Bangladesh truly owes its independence as a sovereign and
independent state to this charming tall-figured man who was strong enough to
take the responsibility of an entire country and usher it to the world of
sovereignty.
He had great love for Bangladesh’s people and genuine concerns for the poor
and the down trodden. He was unmatched for his political acumen and intrepid
boldness, and was a leader of towering stature, whom one may adore, and can
never afford to ignore. Mujib was the only Great Political Leader of pre and
post-independence polity, and also the last in the line of all Great Political
Leaders of Bangladesh. No one else after him qualifies for this tag until this day
and time.
Bangabandhu as he was called was a very prominent figure in the Bangladesh
freedom struggle. His sole aim was the freedom of his country and he termed it
as a necessity. One of the most iconic men during his time in the world that ever
took birth and still continues to survive in the lessons of passive-resistance and
non-violence that he selflessly gave to the world, hence making it a much better
place. He gave up everything to fight for justice and for the betterment of his
people who were being treated as third class citizens by the colonial Pakistanis.
Even in the harshest of conditions, he never gave up his morals and rules, no
matter what the cost of it. The Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has rightfully been given
the title of the “Father of the Nation” as Bangladesh truly owes its
independence as a sovereign and independent state to this charming tall-
figured man who was strong enough to take the responsibility of an entire
country and usher it to the world of sovereignty.
He was a Golden Age superhero who possessed the power of flight, the World’s
Mightiest Mite, A man of supreme patriotism for his people and for his country.
December, 1971, began the siege of the Dhaka City, a 14-day or so moment in
history that turned a ruined Pakistani mission in the heart of the Dhaka City,
Bangladesh, into a shrine known and revered the world over. But what is it that
makes this one battle so different from any other battle fought in the name of
freedom? The people involved? Yes, that’s part of it. The issues at hand? Yes,
that’s another part. Or can it be that the mysteries, myths and legends even
today? Yes. Yes. Yes. All of these things have made the battle stand apart and
have caused it to be so well remembered throughout the nation 48 years later.
It is…a rash man indeed who claims he has the final answer to everything that
happened at the Dhaka City on 16th December 1971. A Bengali politician turned
rebel and a hero of the revolution, became the leader of the new nation. It was
like “I shall never retreat….Victory or Death is considered one of the most heart-
wrenching pleas ever written.”
He really did draw a line in the earth, and ask all to step over who were willing
to die for the cause of independence. It is based on fact. Bangabandhu
anticipated a battle to the death. Since he was also one for fairness, it is logical
to believe that he would give the men an opportunity to fight and liberate his
beloved country from cruel Pakistani occupation forces. He died a heroic death
inside his own house. Our Liberation Struggle in 1971 is now respected and
revered throughout the world. Remember the Sheikh’s “Joy Bangla” slogan
became the battle cry that broke Pakistani Army’s back.
Songs of pain and protest became the backdrop to liberation struggles as
detailed in our history, setting the tone for love and hope as well as lamenting
lost comrades and relatives.
In any nonviolent movement, there are four basic steps: collection of the facts
to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct
action. We have gone through all these steps in Bangladesh. Pakistan’s Army
and their mango-twigs ugly record of brutality are widely known. These are the
hard, brutal facts of the case. We know through painful experience that
freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by
the oppressed and fought to attain it. We have waited for more than two
decades to get justice from the oppressor, the Pakistani regime. This “Wait” has
always meant “Never.” We must come to see, with one of the distinguished
jurists of the world, that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”
Songs of pain and protest became the backdrop to liberation struggles as
detailed in our history, setting the tone for love and hope as well as lamenting
lost comrades and relatives. Our freedom loving singers’ songs were so
important to struggle that freedom fighters often unwittingly gave their fighting
positions away by singing. Known simply as “The Voice,” those venerable
singers are celebrated as the most distinctive and powerful vocalists of
……Uprising. They responded through their music, inspiring other musicians and
listeners around them. Their songs of hope are said to connect independence-
scarred Bangladesh with their promise for a better future.
So, “we have a good dynamic both on and off the stage. ….the band we have
formed for this project has really gelled well… it’s very tight,…… said. We want
to share it with the world and give everyone a piece of who we are. People
should take part in the world around them.” The long and difficult struggle in
Bangladesh has produced many leaders who have displayed great courage and
determination in the face of cruel persecution. Among them, Bangabandhu has
a special place of honour. He has long been a loved and respected leader in his
own right. He has been in the forefront of the struggle for more than quarter a
century and suffered cruel and vengeful persecution by the barbarous Pakistani
regime – a series of gaolings, as well as the anguish of a father as his children
were frequently detained and held incommunicado. But he has refused to be
intimidated and never wavered in his commitment to the struggle for freedom
and non-communalism. Bangabandhu became a living symbol not only of the
spirit of the great freedom movement but of the crucial role which the people
play in it. He is honoured, by his people as the ‘Father of the Nation’.
“Your determination, selflessness and courage have brought the freedom
struggle towards its fulfillment.”
Like Gerry Adams, we should say, “Your determination, selflessness and courage
have brought the freedom struggle towards its fulfillment.” Change does not roll
in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggles. And
so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride
you unless your back is bent. We are determined that before the sun sets on
this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognised throughout the world as a
symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other.
But they didn’t know we were seeds. It’s through difficulty that we must
discover our true ability” and we should remember this famous quote of Chris
Burkmenn. The strength of will is the grace of survival and we proved it in 1971.
The Struggle of Change is all ways winning! Because challenges make us grow in
faith, in spirit and in strength. The anchor of our life is the grace of God. “Brute
force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire
for freedom” has aptly been said by Dalai Lama. The Pakistan’s Army and their
mango-twigs used brute force against us but we cowed them down and bravely
won independence. The Bangladesh’s people remember him as ‘Bangabandhu’,
an affectionate title used to address this sky-touching political figure. “The song
is ended, but the melody lingers on…” – Irving Berlin.
-The End –
Posted by Thavam