Ameer Hamzah :
Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign independent country on December 16, 1971 through a nine-month long bloody War of Liberation. It was a national war with historical legacy of the past. It was in no way a matter of ‘heat of the moment’ or wishful thinking.
The emergence of Bangladesh was not the windfall of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, nor was it born overnight. It has a long history beginning in March 1940 and ending in December 1971. Thanks to the farsighted leadership quality of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The historic Lahore Resolution adopted in 1940 incorporated those areas in which the Muslims were numerically in a majority as in the northwestern and the eastern zones of India should be grouped to constitute ‘Independent States’ in which the constituent units would be autonomous and enjoy sovereign power.
The resolution clearly referred to an independent and sovereign State of Bengal in the eastern India. But afterward, the Muslim League leaders from Punjab began conspiracy against the Lahore Resolution and finally in April 1946 at the League’s Delhi Conference dropped the letter ‘s’ from ‘States’ in order to make Bengal a part of Pakistan. In truth, it was the reflection of their colonial frame of mind.
It was clearly a deviation from the principles of the Lahore Resolution adopted by a 10-member committee by a 7-3 majority decision. Abul Hashim, Muslim League representative from Bengal, strongly protested and said, the Muslim majority eastern zone and the Muslim majority northwestern zone cannot constitute one State because they are separated by ‘over 1000 miles’.
One month later, the Muslim League won 113 seats out of 119 in the Bengal Provincial Legislative election. Krishak Proja Party under A.K. Fazlul Huq won six seats only. Contrarily, HS Suhrawardy tirelessly worked to make the Muslim League the largest party in Bengal.
In 1946, the Cabinet Mission suggested for a federal type of government in India. The Indian provinces were recast into three zones. Zone A: the Hindu majority United Province, Central Province, Bihar, Urissa, Madras and Bombay, Zone II: the Muslim majority Punjab, Sind, Beluchistan and North West Frontier Province, and Zone Ill. Bengal and Assam. This proposal too could not be workable.
In view of all these, HS Suhrawardy, submitted a proposal in April 1947 for an independent United Bengal. Muslim League leader Abul Hashim and Forward Bloc leader Sarat Bose and Congress leader Kiran Sankar gave all out support to the plan. But Suhrawardy could not meet success, as the Indian National Congress directly opposed the plan. Contrarily, the All India Muslim League leader M A Jinnah said that he had no objection if Congress agreed. Sarat Bose returning from Delhi in a statement admitted it and blamed Congress for the failure of the plan (Ref: Ausampto Atmajiboni by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at page No. 73).
Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib writes in his book that many Muslim League leaders criticized him and Suhrawardy for proceeding with the United Bengal plan. What a surprise it was that they were the members of the Bengal Muslim League working committee and gave all out support to the United Bengal plan at the outset. Said a critic, although the plan failed at that time, Sheikh Mujib made it successful after many years, precisely in 1971, however, partially.
Pakistan came into being in August 1947. But the central government exposed their colonial approach towards East Bengal right from the beginning. M. A Jinnah strongly advocated for Urdu as the only State Language of Pakistan and thereby marked the end of the journey of Pakistan.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, actively took part in the entire programme designed by the Tamaddun Majlish, a socio-cultural organisation, to create public opinion in favour of Bengali. East Pakistan Muslim Students League and the Tamaddun Majlish in a joint meeting declared March 11, 1948 as ‘Bhasha Dibosh’.
Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed in 1949 with Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani as President, Shamsul Haque as Secretary and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Joint-Secretary. This party dropped the word ‘Muslim’ in 1953 and constituted the sentiment of nationalism in the country and guided the nation to independence finally.
Swadhin Bangla Nucleus Cell was formed in 1962 with Sirajul Alam Khan, Kazi Aref Ahmad and Abdur Razzaq. They believed that the independence of Bangladesh could only be achieved through armed revolution. They advocated this approach and for the first time in Bengali history with slogans demanding independence for Bangladesh were heard: “Bir Bangali ostro dhoro Bangladesh swadhin koro” (Courageous Bengalis! Take up arms and free Bangladesh).
In February 1966, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib submitted his famous six points at a Round Table Conference held in Lahore. The political leaders from all over Pakistan assembled there to discuss the latest political development and future plan to restore democratic rule in Pakistan. The six points ushered in a new era in the history of Bangladesh, a land mark that the world never witnessed and an answer to the continuous economic exploitation of East Pakistan. Sher-e-Bangla A.K.Fazlul Huq said, “Politics of Bengal means in reality economics of Bengal.” The movement for full autonomy began, which the central government, the civil and the military bureaucrats from West Pakistan opposed and devised to suppress with arms. The main features of “Six -Point were:
I. Pakistan should be a Federal State according to the minutes of the Lahore Resolution, with Parliamentary form of government. All elections are to be held on the basis of the adult franchise, with sovereign power in the hands of the Legislature.
2. The central government will look after the foreign affairs and the defence only, while the regional governments will take care of all other ministries.
3. There shall be two separate but easily exchangeable currencies, or two reserve banks in case of single currency, keeping a provision in the Constitution, banning flight of capital from East Pakistan to West Pakistan.
4. All powers to fix and collect taxes shall be in the hands of the regional governments. The regional governments will deposit a part of the revenues in the federal account. In this context, there shall be a provision in the Constitution, bindings on the regional governments. The deposited amount shall be treated as federal government’s assets to meet its expenditures.
5. There shall be two separate foreign currency accounts under the control of the regional governments, which will equally remit a part in the federal account, as per provision incorporated or to be incorporated in the Constitution. The regional governments will have power to send economic, commerce and trade delegations abroad with power to sign deals with any country of the world.
6. There shall be a militia force equipped with modern and sophisticated arms in East Pakistan.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib said, I have placed six points in the interest of farmers, workers and exploited classes of the country.
At face value, the 6-point demand was economic in character, but in deeper intents and contexts ; it was absolutely political.
The Agartala Conspiracy Case implicating 34 people, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Lieutenant Commander Moazzem Hossain of Pakistan Navy, the students community’s 11 points movement, the mass uprising on February 24, the killing of Sergeant Zahurul Haque of Pakistan Army in Dhaka Cantonment, the killing of Dr Shamsuzzoha, Reader of Rajshahi University, the proclamation of Martial Law in 1969, the general election of 1970 and the landslide victory of Awami League, all combined, changed the course of the history.
Amid debate whether to take part in the general election under Legal Framework Ordinance (LFO) in December 1970, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman decided to contest it and won 167 seats (169 allotted for East Pakistan on population ration basis) out of 300 in the National Assembly and 288 out of 300 in the Provincial Assembly. President Yahya Khan congratulated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib addressing him as Mr Prime Minister of Pakistan.
But in Pakistan, everything does not work in accordance with the wishes of the people. The civil and the military bureaucrats, the bourgeoisie, the rightwing reactionary, the ultra-left and the fanatics rallied around Z.A. Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, which won 88 seats in the National Assembly. Bhutto threatened of collapsing West Pakistan from Khyber to Karachi if President Yahya Khan remained firm to hold the National Assembly session.
When the people vowed to sacrifice, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib addressed a mammoth rally on March 7 in 1971 in Dhaka. There, he called for independence of East Pakistan (henceforth Bangladesh) if the central government ventured to suppress brutally the movement for an end to exploitation. In truth, the 7 March speech was the guideline or genesis of our freedom and henceforth the day should be recognized as ‘Bangladesh Day’.
From this day, Bangladesh was a de facto sovereign and independent country and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was in full charge. President Yahya Khan postponed the National Assembly session scheduled for March 2, 1971 citing security reason.
Instantly, the people of East Pakistan rose in protest and raised slogans for an independent Bangladesh. Shahjahan Siraj, General Secretary of East Pakistan Students League read out the ‘Manifesto of Independence’ on March 2 on the Dhaka University (Arts Buildings) campus. The following day, ASM Abdur Rab hoisted the flag of Bangladesh at the same venue in presence of thousands of students
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib called for the nationwide hartal on March 3 and onwards and said that he would address the nation on March 7.
On the day, he said in a mammoth public meeting at the Race Course: This time ‘the struggle is’ the struggle for liberation; this time the struggle is the struggle for freedom’. He also said, make every house a fortress and face the enemy with what you have in your hands. Since we have once learnt to give blood, we shall give more to free the country’ Inshallah.
The Pakistan Army crack down began on the night of March 26 but faced strong resistance from the East Bengal Regiment (EBR), the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and the East Pakistan Police (EPP).. Rajarbagh Police Lines, the EPR headquarters and the EBR rose in revolt. Nothing could stop them from their single mission of independence.
Although the Pakistan Government arrested Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib from his Dhanmondi residence on the night between March 25 and 26, (took him to West Pakistan and kept him in a jail). He was present in the heart of every man and woman of this land, and his March 7 speech was the guideline of war for independence of Bangladesh.
On April 17, the Bangladesh government was formed at Mujibnagar with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Acting President and Tajuddin Ahmad as Prime Minister. The three other members of the Council of Ministers were Captain Mansur Ali, Khondaker Mushtaque and AHM Qumruzzaman. Col. (later made a full General) MAG Osmani was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army (with a full ministeral rank).
The country was also divided into nine sectors under military officers in order to carry on the war for independence of Bangladesh. The sector commanders were :- Major Ziaur Rahman (later President of Bangladesh) and Major Rafiqul Islam of Sector-I, Major Khaled Mosharraf of Sector-2, Major Shafiullah of Sector-3, Major C.R.Dutta of Sector-4, Major Mir Shawkat Ali and Joynul Abedin of Sector-5, Major A.K.M. Nazmul Haque of Sector-6, Major Abu Osman of Sector-7, Major M.A Jalil of Sector-8 and Major Abu Taher of Sector-9.
The great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said, we have two identities. The first one is that we are Muslims, and the second one is that we are Bangalis-(Ausampta Atmajiboni by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Page No.47).
India extended full diplomatic and technical supports in favour of Bangladesh in its War of Liberation. And of late, India forming an alliance with Bangladesh engaged in a full scale war with Pakistan. Pakistan lost the war, Bangladesh was born as a Sovereign Independent State (country) on December 16, 1971. The Vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib got the concrete shape—Bangladesh was born as an Independent state in world map.
Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign independent country on December 16, 1971 through a nine-month long bloody War of Liberation. It was a national war with historical legacy of the past. It was in no way a matter of ‘heat of the moment’ or wishful thinking.
The emergence of Bangladesh was not the windfall of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, nor was it born overnight. It has a long history beginning in March 1940 and ending in December 1971. Thanks to the farsighted leadership quality of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The historic Lahore Resolution adopted in 1940 incorporated those areas in which the Muslims were numerically in a majority as in the northwestern and the eastern zones of India should be grouped to constitute ‘Independent States’ in which the constituent units would be autonomous and enjoy sovereign power.
The resolution clearly referred to an independent and sovereign State of Bengal in the eastern India. But afterward, the Muslim League leaders from Punjab began conspiracy against the Lahore Resolution and finally in April 1946 at the League’s Delhi Conference dropped the letter ‘s’ from ‘States’ in order to make Bengal a part of Pakistan. In truth, it was the reflection of their colonial frame of mind.
It was clearly a deviation from the principles of the Lahore Resolution adopted by a 10-member committee by a 7-3 majority decision. Abul Hashim, Muslim League representative from Bengal, strongly protested and said, the Muslim majority eastern zone and the Muslim majority northwestern zone cannot constitute one State because they are separated by ‘over 1000 miles’.
One month later, the Muslim League won 113 seats out of 119 in the Bengal Provincial Legislative election. Krishak Proja Party under A.K. Fazlul Huq won six seats only. Contrarily, HS Suhrawardy tirelessly worked to make the Muslim League the largest party in Bengal.
In 1946, the Cabinet Mission suggested for a federal type of government in India. The Indian provinces were recast into three zones. Zone A: the Hindu majority United Province, Central Province, Bihar, Urissa, Madras and Bombay, Zone II: the Muslim majority Punjab, Sind, Beluchistan and North West Frontier Province, and Zone Ill. Bengal and Assam. This proposal too could not be workable.
In view of all these, HS Suhrawardy, submitted a proposal in April 1947 for an independent United Bengal. Muslim League leader Abul Hashim and Forward Bloc leader Sarat Bose and Congress leader Kiran Sankar gave all out support to the plan. But Suhrawardy could not meet success, as the Indian National Congress directly opposed the plan. Contrarily, the All India Muslim League leader M A Jinnah said that he had no objection if Congress agreed. Sarat Bose returning from Delhi in a statement admitted it and blamed Congress for the failure of the plan (Ref: Ausampto Atmajiboni by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at page No. 73).
Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib writes in his book that many Muslim League leaders criticized him and Suhrawardy for proceeding with the United Bengal plan. What a surprise it was that they were the members of the Bengal Muslim League working committee and gave all out support to the United Bengal plan at the outset. Said a critic, although the plan failed at that time, Sheikh Mujib made it successful after many years, precisely in 1971, however, partially.
Pakistan came into being in August 1947. But the central government exposed their colonial approach towards East Bengal right from the beginning. M. A Jinnah strongly advocated for Urdu as the only State Language of Pakistan and thereby marked the end of the journey of Pakistan.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, actively took part in the entire programme designed by the Tamaddun Majlish, a socio-cultural organisation, to create public opinion in favour of Bengali. East Pakistan Muslim Students League and the Tamaddun Majlish in a joint meeting declared March 11, 1948 as ‘Bhasha Dibosh’.
Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed in 1949 with Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani as President, Shamsul Haque as Secretary and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Joint-Secretary. This party dropped the word ‘Muslim’ in 1953 and constituted the sentiment of nationalism in the country and guided the nation to independence finally.
Swadhin Bangla Nucleus Cell was formed in 1962 with Sirajul Alam Khan, Kazi Aref Ahmad and Abdur Razzaq. They believed that the independence of Bangladesh could only be achieved through armed revolution. They advocated this approach and for the first time in Bengali history with slogans demanding independence for Bangladesh were heard: “Bir Bangali ostro dhoro Bangladesh swadhin koro” (Courageous Bengalis! Take up arms and free Bangladesh).
In February 1966, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib submitted his famous six points at a Round Table Conference held in Lahore. The political leaders from all over Pakistan assembled there to discuss the latest political development and future plan to restore democratic rule in Pakistan. The six points ushered in a new era in the history of Bangladesh, a land mark that the world never witnessed and an answer to the continuous economic exploitation of East Pakistan. Sher-e-Bangla A.K.Fazlul Huq said, “Politics of Bengal means in reality economics of Bengal.” The movement for full autonomy began, which the central government, the civil and the military bureaucrats from West Pakistan opposed and devised to suppress with arms. The main features of “Six -Point were:
I. Pakistan should be a Federal State according to the minutes of the Lahore Resolution, with Parliamentary form of government. All elections are to be held on the basis of the adult franchise, with sovereign power in the hands of the Legislature.
2. The central government will look after the foreign affairs and the defence only, while the regional governments will take care of all other ministries.
3. There shall be two separate but easily exchangeable currencies, or two reserve banks in case of single currency, keeping a provision in the Constitution, banning flight of capital from East Pakistan to West Pakistan.
4. All powers to fix and collect taxes shall be in the hands of the regional governments. The regional governments will deposit a part of the revenues in the federal account. In this context, there shall be a provision in the Constitution, bindings on the regional governments. The deposited amount shall be treated as federal government’s assets to meet its expenditures.
5. There shall be two separate foreign currency accounts under the control of the regional governments, which will equally remit a part in the federal account, as per provision incorporated or to be incorporated in the Constitution. The regional governments will have power to send economic, commerce and trade delegations abroad with power to sign deals with any country of the world.
6. There shall be a militia force equipped with modern and sophisticated arms in East Pakistan.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib said, I have placed six points in the interest of farmers, workers and exploited classes of the country.
At face value, the 6-point demand was economic in character, but in deeper intents and contexts ; it was absolutely political.
The Agartala Conspiracy Case implicating 34 people, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Lieutenant Commander Moazzem Hossain of Pakistan Navy, the students community’s 11 points movement, the mass uprising on February 24, the killing of Sergeant Zahurul Haque of Pakistan Army in Dhaka Cantonment, the killing of Dr Shamsuzzoha, Reader of Rajshahi University, the proclamation of Martial Law in 1969, the general election of 1970 and the landslide victory of Awami League, all combined, changed the course of the history.
Amid debate whether to take part in the general election under Legal Framework Ordinance (LFO) in December 1970, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman decided to contest it and won 167 seats (169 allotted for East Pakistan on population ration basis) out of 300 in the National Assembly and 288 out of 300 in the Provincial Assembly. President Yahya Khan congratulated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib addressing him as Mr Prime Minister of Pakistan.
But in Pakistan, everything does not work in accordance with the wishes of the people. The civil and the military bureaucrats, the bourgeoisie, the rightwing reactionary, the ultra-left and the fanatics rallied around Z.A. Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, which won 88 seats in the National Assembly. Bhutto threatened of collapsing West Pakistan from Khyber to Karachi if President Yahya Khan remained firm to hold the National Assembly session.
When the people vowed to sacrifice, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib addressed a mammoth rally on March 7 in 1971 in Dhaka. There, he called for independence of East Pakistan (henceforth Bangladesh) if the central government ventured to suppress brutally the movement for an end to exploitation. In truth, the 7 March speech was the guideline or genesis of our freedom and henceforth the day should be recognized as ‘Bangladesh Day’.
From this day, Bangladesh was a de facto sovereign and independent country and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was in full charge. President Yahya Khan postponed the National Assembly session scheduled for March 2, 1971 citing security reason.
Instantly, the people of East Pakistan rose in protest and raised slogans for an independent Bangladesh. Shahjahan Siraj, General Secretary of East Pakistan Students League read out the ‘Manifesto of Independence’ on March 2 on the Dhaka University (Arts Buildings) campus. The following day, ASM Abdur Rab hoisted the flag of Bangladesh at the same venue in presence of thousands of students
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib called for the nationwide hartal on March 3 and onwards and said that he would address the nation on March 7.
On the day, he said in a mammoth public meeting at the Race Course: This time ‘the struggle is’ the struggle for liberation; this time the struggle is the struggle for freedom’. He also said, make every house a fortress and face the enemy with what you have in your hands. Since we have once learnt to give blood, we shall give more to free the country’ Inshallah.
The Pakistan Army crack down began on the night of March 26 but faced strong resistance from the East Bengal Regiment (EBR), the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) and the East Pakistan Police (EPP).. Rajarbagh Police Lines, the EPR headquarters and the EBR rose in revolt. Nothing could stop them from their single mission of independence.
Although the Pakistan Government arrested Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib from his Dhanmondi residence on the night between March 25 and 26, (took him to West Pakistan and kept him in a jail). He was present in the heart of every man and woman of this land, and his March 7 speech was the guideline of war for independence of Bangladesh.
On April 17, the Bangladesh government was formed at Mujibnagar with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Acting President and Tajuddin Ahmad as Prime Minister. The three other members of the Council of Ministers were Captain Mansur Ali, Khondaker Mushtaque and AHM Qumruzzaman. Col. (later made a full General) MAG Osmani was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army (with a full ministeral rank).
The country was also divided into nine sectors under military officers in order to carry on the war for independence of Bangladesh. The sector commanders were :- Major Ziaur Rahman (later President of Bangladesh) and Major Rafiqul Islam of Sector-I, Major Khaled Mosharraf of Sector-2, Major Shafiullah of Sector-3, Major C.R.Dutta of Sector-4, Major Mir Shawkat Ali and Joynul Abedin of Sector-5, Major A.K.M. Nazmul Haque of Sector-6, Major Abu Osman of Sector-7, Major M.A Jalil of Sector-8 and Major Abu Taher of Sector-9.
The great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said, we have two identities. The first one is that we are Muslims, and the second one is that we are Bangalis-(Ausampta Atmajiboni by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Page No.47).
India extended full diplomatic and technical supports in favour of Bangladesh in its War of Liberation. And of late, India forming an alliance with Bangladesh engaged in a full scale war with Pakistan. Pakistan lost the war, Bangladesh was born as a Sovereign Independent State (country) on December 16, 1971. The Vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib got the concrete shape—Bangladesh was born as an Independent state in world map.
