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Bangladesh’s independence: A unique event in the annals of history

Syed Mehdi Momin
26 Mar 2023 00:00:00 | Update: 25 Mar 2023 22:21:41
Bangladesh’s independence: A unique event in the annals of history

Today on the 52nd anniversary of our Independence we need some serious soul searching. For a proud and freedom-loving nation, it is appalling to have our history of the Liberation War distorted by anti-liberation forces who ruled the country. We must set it right and uphold the ideals for which this nation made the supreme sacrifice. Only then can we hope to establish a society free from exploitation and injustice.

The leadership, under Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his trusted ally Tajuddin Ahmed, had a dream that actually guided the people to fight the Pakistani forces. Today we need to revive that vision and the dream in every citizen’s heart so that they feel inspired to achieve great things with bursts of creative energy a nation on move is capable of. Currently the country is in quest of the lost spirit of the Liberation War, once again and a demand for reconciliation with our history is gaining momentum. The reconciliation puts a premium on our commitment to the country’s fundamental principles that went into the making of this nation.

Bangladesh’s Independence, achieved at a very high cost in 1971, was a unique historical event that drew its inspirations from the ideals of a democratic, equitable and prosperous society. Ironically, Bangladesh’s existence since independence has been traumatic as well as promising. The first decade witnessed extreme volatility in politics, violent changes of government and military coups, the second with a brief interlude of civilian-democratic regime, was marked by a long period of authoritarian rule. The dawn of 1990 witnessed changing notes, rekindling hopes among the people for a better life they are entitled to. But power conflicts along the road cascading into increased polarisation and chaos could hardly sustain a fledgling democracy and economic stability. Yet, by developing-country standards, the country’s growth has been notable though it did not better the lot of the general mass. Economic indicators have been hovering tolerably well with the cushion to absorb various shocks. It pays for its purchases, never defaulting in meeting the balance of payments in international currency exchanges. The stigma tagged to Bangladesh at its birth that it was a “bottomless basket” case of perennial want and an international headache for distress management has clearly been proven wrong. This Day should inspire us to strive to bridge the gaps with those countries in a time-bound fashion. To make this happen, we need leadership, we need galvanisation of the people’s power. We must strengthen our democracy without which the gains of independence will not be fully consolidated or fully realised, for sure. Now we must look forward to a new beginning, with an elected, democratic government in power-pledge-bound to usher in a new era in the national life.

The Pakistan Army launched the crackdown at midnight of 25 March. According to the plan for action Search Light two headquarters were established. Major General Rao Farman Ali with 57 Brigade under Brigadier Arbab was responsible for operation in Dhaka city and its suburbs while Major General Khadim Raja was given the responsibility of the rest of the province. Lieutenant General Tikka Khan assumed the overall charge of the operation. The students and the common people put up resistance outside the cantonment. Road blocks were raised to obstruct the march of the Pakistani column to the city areas. The wireless set fitted jeeps and trucks loaded with troops groaned on the streets of Dhaka City at midnight of 25 March. The first column of the Pakistan army faced obstruction at Farmgate about one kilometre from the cantonment due to a huge road block created by placing big tree trunks across the road. The hulks of old cars and unserviceable steam roller, were also used. Several hundred people chanted the slogan Joi Bangla which lasted for about 15 minutes. them.

The Pak forces killed everybody in sight on the footpath and destroyed everything on their way. The tanks roared through the streets of Dhaka blasting indiscriminately at the people and official and residential buildings. They gunned down clusters of settlements and set fire on them. Scores of artillery bursts were pounded, while the tanks rumbled into the city roaring the main streets. The student halls of residence at Dhaka University were raided and numerous students residing there were brutally killed and maimed. They also killed many teachers of Dhaka University. The Hindu concentrated areas of old Dhaka were particularly targeted. They started killing the people, burnt their houses, looted their valuables and raped their women.

On 26 March Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taken prisoner by the Pakistan army after he declared the independence of Bangladesh just past midnight on 25th March. There were spontaneous uprisings throughout Bangladesh following the call of independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. These uprisings were participated by government officials, political activists, students, workers, peasants, professionals and members of the public.

The bloody war that followed led to the martyrdom of three million people. Besides that, 10 million people became refugees were evicted from their homes, 200,000 women dishonoured as well as large-scale destruction of houses and property.

On this day today we pay our deepest homage to Bangabandhu without whose leadership, sagacity and statesmanship and his comrades-in-arms our dream of freedom stood little chance of materialising. We also pay homage to those heroes who embraced martyrdom. Their sacrifices are too great to be sanctified further by any tribute.

On this day it would also be pertinent to state that the country that has a proud legacy of struggle and sacrifice should have done better in terms of social justice, economic progress and cultural reawakening. After 52 years, it can be said that the country is now at peace with itself as the major collaborators of Pakistani military were tried and punished.

The writer is Senior Assistant Editor of The Business Post.

He can be contacted at [email protected]

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