Father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is an unforgettable leader who led the people of then East Pakistan to rise against the repression of West Pakistani rulers and declare an armed independence movement. Those who saw him from close proximity at that time have said that many aspects of Bangabandhu’s contribution and his political life are not yet known.
Many of his contemporaries have said that the world has not seen such a sagacious, perspicacious and compassionate leader.
On occasion of his 100 birthday, Mujib year will be celebrated from Mar 17, 2020, till Mar 17, 2021. During this period, efforts will be taken to know about various aspects of Bangabandhu’s life, who was also elected the greatest Bengali of all time in a BBC survey.
When Bangabandhu took a variety of programmes for the economic emancipation of the people of Bangladesh, he, along with his family members were assassinated. For a long period, there was an attempt to erase his name from history but that did not happen. PM’s economic adviser, Mashiur Rahman, said: “Bangabandhu did not give administrative decisions after reading documents; he knew the whole country and was aware of everything that went on; he respected Maulana Bhashani and had the rare ability to easily understand another person.”
This undisputed leader of the Bengalis was born in 1920 in Tungipara, Gopalganj. To fight for the rights of the people, he had to face imprisonment many times. He started his career in 1940 by joining the All India Mulsim Student Federation. While a student of Islamia College (currently Moulana Azad College), he was elected general secretary of Chhatra union. Later, he became Awami Muslim League’s joint secretary, general secretary and then, worked as East Bengal legislative assembly member.
He led the 6 point and then the 11 point demand in 1966 and 1969, spearheading the mass uprising in 1969. On his call made on Mar 7, 1971, millions went to war to liberate the country.
At the landmark speech made at the Racecourse field on 7 March, Bangabandhu declared: “the struggle this time is for freedom and independence was the innermost desire of seven crore Bengalis.”
When on 25 March night, the invading Pak forces swooped on the unsuspecting people of East Pakistan, millions went to India to train at camps to come back and fight to liberate the country.
At that time, countless songs were written to express love for Bangabandhu and one such is written by Gauriprasanna Majumdar. He song “Shono ekti Mujibur theke lokkho Mujibur” (listen to the voice of millions of Mujiburs form one Mujibur) can still manage to trigger goosebumps.
AL presidium member Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin, says: “of all the songs composed this is the most touching.”
To understand Bangabandhu, one needs to know of his outlook against sectarianism, love for humanity, said Lenin.
Bangabandhu lived only 54 years and of this, one decade was spent in prison but imprisonment could not weaken his resolve to stand against autocracy and oppression.
Another political leader, Tofail Ahmed, feels that Bangabandhu’s rare quality was that he could easily endear anyone with love and empathy.
He gave me the honour of a state minister by electing me in Pakistan’s National Council when I was only 28; I travelled the world with him and saw how much people loved him, added Tofail.
“Many leaders came and many will come but there won’t be another like him, ever.”
The veteran politician went on to say: “Feb 23, 1969, is the greatest day in my life when I conferred the epithet Bangabandhu on him in front of ten lakh people.”
He did not capitulate even while standing at the gallows, said Tofail.
