After spending in prison for nine months in Pakistan, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released on Jan 8 by Pakistan government and was sent to London. On that day, all eyes were on London.
The Dainik Bangla of Jan 9 quoted Bangabandhu telling journalists: “You can see I am alive; I don’t want to say anything at the moment.”
A PIA special charter flight went to London with Bangabandhu and reached Heathrow early in the morning.
Wearing a white shirt, a grey suit and overcoat he landed in London and with Dr Kamal Hossain, headed towards Hotel Claridges. At this time, he did not talk to the media.
UNI news states that Bangabandhu refuted the Pakistani statement that he had gone to London on his will.
“I was a prisoner and Pakistan government sent me here.”
Meeting the media at the hotel, Bangabandhu said: “I don’t wish to stay here any longer and want to go back to my people.”
He also said that Bangladesh would soon apply for membership to the UN. He also thanked India, Soviet Union, Poland and France for supporting the cause for Bangladesh.
Addressing the media with the 'Joy Bangla' slogan, he said: “I knew one day Bangladesh will be free.”
“When my people declared me their president, I was spending time in prison faced with charges of treason.”
He said: “I spent time in solitude but was prepared to die. Millions were killed in Bangladesh and such barbaric acts would have shamed Hitler.”
Regarding future ties with Pakistan, he said: “I can only say that Bangladesh will have links with as many countries as possible.”
“Bhutto asked me to keep the matter of future links with Pakistan in mind but I told him that unless I go back to my people I cannot promise anything.”
To bring back Bangabandhu a special meeting was held at Bangabhaban presided by acting president Syed Nazrul Islam. At the programme, the wartime prime minister Tajuddin Ahmed said that Bangabandhu may come over India and after arriving will lay flower wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.
Form the hotel in London, Bangabandhu talked to his family members.
Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi talked to Bangabandhu and invited him to visit New Delhi. At this time, Bangabandhu expressed gratitude to India for support in the freedom movement.
At the release of Bangabandhu, there was euphoria all around the country. At that time, student leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Dhaka University central students’ union, Nur e Alam Siddiqui, Shahjahan Siraj, ASM Abdur Rab and Abdul Quddus Makhon asked everyone to celebrate with restraint and requested the freedom fighters to refrain from firing gunshots.