Today is the 39th shahadat anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The day is being observed in a befitting manner with great solemnities. On this day he was killed with his close family members. A minister, Abdur Rab Serniabat and another close relation Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni were also killed.
From a student leader, he gradually became able to transform the deprivation of the people of the erstwhile East Pakistan to a major political cause and launched the historic six-point programme to usher the dawn of a new country in the world atlas in 1971. Sheikh Mujib awakened the Bangali people to learn to dream of an exploitation free nation breaking the iron chain of Pakistani occupation.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a follower of H.S. Suhrawardy. During the time of Suhrawardy he became eventually the Secretary of Awami League. He also respected Moulana Bhashani and for sometime both of them worked together in Awami League. They all struggled hard for making the people here to enjoy democratic freedoms and exploitation free life.
Sheikh Mujib was in prison in Pakistan when the nation fought the nine-month long liberation war. But prior to that, his historic speech on March 7 at Race Course now Suhrawardy Uddyan instilled courage and unity to begin a different phase in the political struggle for freeing the Bengalis of East Pakistan from the occupation of Pakistani army. Though he was physically absent being away in Pakistani prison, his very name was the guiding force and inspiration for the liberation war conducted from and with the help of India.
It is for the historians to find out the impact of his absence during the liberation war, but what is undeniable is that the political developments after Bangladesh won independence appeared in conflict with the main purpose of democracy. It was unthinkable that in free Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujib will go for one-party system or he would be killed. The whole nation was not only saddened but puzzled, and dumb founded when Bangabandhu was killed in his Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu’s love for the people and his honesty should be the shining examples for any worthy leader who has any sincerity to help and lead our people. Surely, he did not expect there will be so much corruption in Bangladesh.
It is not enough to show support for Bangabandhu without being the follower of his love for people and honesty in private and public affairs.
We remember Bangabandhu as a great leader of the masses who helped us to have the identity of a nation on the basis of our struggle for democracy.
