Is President Sheikh Mujib`s Death a Murder or a Mutiny

AN ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF
BANGABANDU AND
BANGLADESH
Sheikh Mujib addresses the foundation meeting of BKSAL, sitting on a throne like a
king
Dr. Abid Bahar
PREFACE
The present query is part of a series of studies on the leaders of
Bangladesh. It is still in its draft form was originally undertaken
for a personal and a professional reason. It is primarily because I
myself as a Bangladeshi by birth to know about our leaders in their
contexts. Secondly in the role of a researcher with specialization
on ethics of leadership for the others and me it is to learn important
lessons from the leader’s lives to help the nation for a continued
multi democratic system in Bangladesh. I believe that the past is
always prologue to the future. There is much to learn from the life
of Bangabandu. In this series, I am probing to know Bangabandu
Sheikh Mujib to understand some of the core national issues that
persist till today related to the Bangabandu phenomenon. I am
certain; there are many researchers like me who would like to
know the flipside of the hero-worshipping about who the real
Bangabandu was. Here we will be dealing mostly with the nature
of his techniques he employed in politics. I must confess that I was
one a Mujib devotee but here as a researcher often I came up with
findings that could be the flipside of the picture some readers have
in their head and might find as disturbing and a humble request to
them to refrain from reading this sensitive piece of research work.
The work is not yet in its final stage to its publication therefore
acknowledgements to all the sources are not yet made. This work
is dedicated to the people who care about the future of Bangladesh.
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Bangabandu and Bangladesh are two interrelated names. Bangabandu was not an
ordinary leader of Bangladesh. He played both positive and negative roles in the history
of Bangladesh. There are abundance of materials praising him in great details. The
present research findings points out that he was also a Machiavellian leader. It seems that
AL in promoting him as a semi-god that he was not is causing disrespect to his many
positive contributions. This work still in its draft form is an attempt to show the real
Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as different from the AL’s hero-worshipping of
him.
Like most Bangladeshis, once I was a devotee of Bangabandu. But the present work is
about research not about our personal loyalty. Therefore, I began my research with the
premise that when we criticize politicians we take them as public figures not as private
citizens or the father or brother of somebody. As public figures we have the right to
criticize them because people elected these leaders. Reciprocally they volunteered their
time for people and they are expected to allow people to criticize them. When that is done
it is a practice in democracy, because they are required to be accountable to people.
It is true picture says a thousand words. This book uses a more nontraditional approach
with illustrations were compiled together with online links for details are to help
Bangladeshi people see through its difficult past and understand it to take the necessary
measures to help reform the country for a multi party democracy so as to be able for
Bangladesh to develop into a prosperous country. In Chapter 2 we have a brief
description of Bangabandu’s early life. In Chpater 3 it is about Bangabandu’s political
career during Pakistan time. In Chapter 4 his return from Pakistan and in chapter 5 his
imposition of BKSAL rule and that he was killed. Chapter 6 is about a debate. Chapter 7
is about Hasina’s politics; chapter 8 is about Moin U’s caretaker government ‘s 1/11ake
over. Chapter 9 is about Hasina’s rule and the transit questions. Chapter 10 is about
institutionalizing fascism (Bangabandukoron of Bangladesh. Chapter 11 is about the
Bangabondukon politics in Bangladesh. Chapter 12 is about question dealing with the
founding fathers of Bangladesh. This series accompaniies interesting reading questions
for researchers.
AL’s declared “Father of the Nation”
Mujib in his early life
3
CHAPTER 2: BANGABANDU: HIS EARLY LIFE (19201939)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, later Bangabandu was born in Tongipara of Faridpur district in
Bangladesh in 1920 A.D. He was the third child among four daughters and two sons of
Sheikh Lutfar Rahman and Siara Begum. The parents were very affectionate to him and
called him Khoka. Due to eye problem in his left eye, the parents withdrew him from
attending school for four years. During this time, the compulsive Mujib’s prolonged
break of study must have created anger in him, for he had no home education either.
What would he do except to play with one eye with children who skipped classes. When
he returned back to school, compared to his fellow students, he found himself way behind
in education. He also found himself physically taller and liked skipping classes. It is
obvious when he attended classes he liked to create trouble to other students. In 1938, the
bring a change to Mujib’s grubby reputation at the age of only eighteen, the parents
forced Mujib to get married to Begum Fazilatnnesa. In the following year in1939
“Bongobondhu’s political career was effectively inaugurated while he was a student
at Gopalganj missionary school. There he led a group of students to demand that the
cracked roof of the school be repaired” this was when Suhurwardhy came to visit the
school.(1) No one at the moment knew that Suhurwardhy just met a rebel who years
later would be claimed by the successive AL governments as the father of Bangladesh
nation.
Suhrawardhy the populist leader of his time originally recruited Mujib to counter his
political rivals. Under Suhurwardhy, Mujib began his career as a muscleman student
leader. Mujib remained loyal to him until his death in 1962. In the Calcutta riot he was
with his mentor Suhurwardhy who was behind the Hindu-Muslim Calcutta riot in the
Jinnah called Direct Action Day that claimed many innocent lives for which the Congress
Party leadership continue to blame Suhurwardhy. Mujib’s dress and mannerism and his
association with Suhuwardhy show the sign of Mujib’s role at the time. See below the
picture with his mannerism and his nonverbal expressions especially his shirt’s collar. He
was hardly a student. He finished his matriculation examination at the age of 22. Despite
his busy time, it seems that he managed to complete his education.
In Calcutta, one Mazharul Islam from Kutubdia of Chittagong was known to have written
his BA examination from Calcutta Islamia College. Back in Dhaka he again became a
student of law at the Dhaka University; probably recommended by Suhurwardhy to help
him prepare for a future statesman. But Mujib was seen by his fellow students to be
sitting at the backbench with a group of his friends causing trouble to his professor in the
law faculty classroom.(2) Despite his disinterest in education, he was out and out a
4
political person and unfortunately never finished his law degree from Dhaka University.
He was deeply involved with the 4th class employees association of Dhaka University.
The university authority fined him for his involvement in worker's politics. He refused to
pay the fine.”
Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?
Mujib’s upbringing made him more of a populist leader politician than a statesman. But
he was no ordinary and a naïve leader as many people wish to believe. He was a complex
figure in politics; a Machiavellian and as a very powerful rebel rouser ready to take risks
but almost always knew how to save himself. Personally he showed pride and confidence
in his work and in his accomplishments in one hand on the other hand he would show
mockery to the opposition. These were his early sign of intolerance to the opposition
continued when established the BKSAL party. During his entire career; we see almost
always before a serious threat to his life he prepared the necessary grounds to be arrested
and be in jail. During the time of language movement as expected he was in jail. This
reminds us of a story in a film where a perilous person the jail authority just released to
lessen the extra burden but he insisted that they keep him in jail where he will be safe.
Not surprisingly, once Mujib was just released from jail and hearing the report of an
imminent trouble, he did something violent in front of the jail premise causing the death
of a child (3) His critics claimed that after his 7th March Speech to the 25th March in 1971
at the critical juncture of the national life instead of leading the nation he repeated his
similar behavior and for his and his family’s safety surrendered himself to the Pakistan
army.
5
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Suhrawardy in Rajshai, 1954.
Mujib the Complex Figure in Politics
The sophisticated actor politician
6
Mujib, the man of the hour giving the Historic 7th March
Speech
“Aberar Sangram, Sadhinatar Sangram, joy Bangla, Joy Pakistan.” Mujib
CHAPTER 3: MUJIB THE POLITICIAN
Mujib the traitor
Mujib negotiating to save Pakistan until 24th
March while the two other Pakistani autocrats preparing to strike genocide
Realizing trouble the ambitious AL top leaders (who wanted to be the Pakistani
Ministers of a confederate Pakistan), escapes to India, Mujib surrenders and
7
Mujib’s entire family remains safe during the liberation war receiving monthly
allowance from the Pakistani government while the Generals planned out and
executed a genocide against ordinary people.
The Mujibnagar government leaders
Fearing any challenge to his leadership. Mujib, the absentee leader and autocrat
never cared to know about the liberation war from these officials.
Ziaur Rahman declares independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
8
Mujib returning from Pakistan after war as an absentee leader
And claims for himself the title: “father of the Nation.”
CHAPTER 4: ‘There I Come and there I Go’:
MUJIB’S FALL
Mujib’s well-known characteristics in the pre liberation period were:
Anti establishment agitation
Anti constitution, anti institution and
Anti bureaucracy. After the liberation, logically he considered himself
as the source of all power.
In this situation, the constitution was considered as subordinate to
Mujib’s power.
Bangabandu, the 25 year Indo- Bangladesh Treaty maker
Mujib, in the family of the Indian Congress syndicate
9
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi signing the agreement of
friendship and cooperation with Bangaldesh, Dacca, March, 1972
Farakka dam is only a temporary test case: AL’s pro-Indian minister- Abdur
Razzak
1976 Bhasani’s Farakka March: Long March to Rajshahi
10
CHAPTER 5: MUJIB THE DICTATOR:
FOUNDER OF THE BKSAL (Dolio Koron
Rajniti of Bhai Culture)
Hero-worshipping of the BKSAL leader
1975: Civil servants and intellectuals were asked to show support to Mujib’s one party
government
Mujib’s Fourth Amendment: Mujib from a Democracy preacher into a lover of
Dictatorship
“The Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act 1975 was passed on 25 January 1975.
Major changes were brought into the Constitution by this amendment. The
presidential form of government was introduced in place of the parliamentary
system; a one-party system in place of a multi-party system was introduced; the
powers of the Parliament were curtailed; the Judiciary lost much of its independence;
the Supreme Court was deprived of its jurisdiction over the protection and
enforcement of fundamental rights.”
.
Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the parliament, 1973.
Mujib’s Fascist style: Mockery of the opposition and the Self
Pride:His three blunders
Standing in the parliament Mujib said “Sheraj Sikder Tumi Akhon
Khotai”
“Jatir Pitahoichee bole noito Lal Ghora Dabaiea Ditham”
11
“Tribals, Tumra Bangali hoye Jao, triggering unrest in Chittagong
Hill Tracts.”
Over the precipice: fate of the fascists
The dead Mussolini lies
Deadbody of Mujib
Bangabandu’s Killers
It says, All's well that ends well. True, Jalal Uddin Khan says:“No assassination can
ever be supported (it is always a heinous crime) but the rejoicing at
the death of Sheikh Mujib, even by the elements of his own party, was
indeed a fact. He was a great leader but his rule was
highly compromised and controversial with people suffering from
famine, anarchy, lack of security, Rakkhi-Bahini torture and the
dictatorial operation of his government.(4)
“Mujib’s sycophants think that only Mujib and family blood is the most worthy, pure and
valued. And that of all other people are Dholai Khaler dirty water. That’s their problem.”
Mujib’s killers are his own people. His opportunism in 1971 led his surrender to the
Pakistan army and a genocide of the ordinary people in Bangladesh. While Pakistan army
spared him but Mustaque’s diplomatic success with Kissenger to save Bangladesh from
becoming Red led Kissenger’s initiatives to release Mujib from Pakistani jail, but
realizing him as a traitor and a cunning politician his own people and the foreign
connection it is alledged led by Mostaque got him killed.
12
Taj Hashmi says” I think had there been no BKSAL, Dalim, Faruq and his gang would not
have dared to touch Mujib and his family. And even if they succeeded, there would have
been mass protest and counter-revolution against the killers. I firmly believe that the
killings were one of the darkest events in our history.”
The AL Minister Mostaque Ahamed who led the coup and replaced Mujib
“Bhutto who remained apologetic and on the defensive ever since
March 1 was thus compelled to further expose his ambition in Karachi
on March 14. Here he introduced West Pakistan for the first time to the
concept of the Two Nation theory and demanded that power be
handed to the two majority parties of Pakistan, namely the Awami
League in Bangla Desh and People's Party in West Pakistan.”
13
CHAPTER 6: A DEBATE
ZIA THE DICTATOR- AL
ZIA IS THE FATHER OF MULTI PARTY
DEMOCRACY IN BANGLADESH -BNP
Fifth Amendment of President Ziaur Rahman
The Fourth Amendment was made by Bangabandu and the Fifth
Amendment was by Ziaur Rahman
“The Constitution (Fifth Amendment) Act was passed by the Jatiya
Sangsad on 6 April 1979. This Act amended the Fourth Schedule to the
Constitution by adding a new Paragraph 18. The expression
‘BISMILLAH-AR RAHMAN-AR-RAHIM’ was added before the Preamble of
the Constitution. The expression ‘historic struggle for national
liberation’ in the Preamble was replaced by the expression ‘a historic
war for national independence.’ One party system was replaced by
multiparty system. Fundamental principles of state policy were made
as ‘absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah, nationalism
[Bangladeshi nationalism], democracy and socialism meaning
economic and social justice.’
President Ziaur Rahman established the multi party democracy and allowed Hasina to
enter in politics.”And brought order over chaos.
President Ziaur Rahman, founder of the SARCC with Indra Gandhi
Hasina and Pronok Drama
-------------------------------------------Hasina:Dada, I am afraid that people will find out Zia the General was actually the one
who allowed multiparty democracy and gave newspaper freedom.
Pronok: Don’t worry we have the Daily Star to lie daily about Zia as the betrayer; and as
the military dictator. We also have Prothom Alo to help you. Your father didn’t have that
help.
14
Hasina: I am also afraid that some intellectuals call themselves as the independentminded Bangladeshis. They opposed Pakistan and now opposes India. What am I going
to do about them?
Pronok: Call them Jamat!
Hasina: But they were freedom fighters.
Pronok: Look, if could turn Zia from a freedom fighter into a Jamati, why not these
brainless intellectuals. It’s propaganda that matters for perception but not the reality. It’s
called manufacturing consent.
Hasina: Due to the killing of Bangladeshi border guards and the fence dividing Bengal, I
am afraid that one day most of my countrymen are going to abandon our ethnic identity
Bengali for the territorial nationalism, Bangladeshi. Bangladeshi nationalism has an
advantage that it includes all the Bangladeshis well being.
Pronok: True, your opposition has many advantages but they don’t have the support of
your country’s cultural groups. Your country’s cultural groups are connected to the West
Bengali and Indian groups. Only if the opposition can create strong media support and
pro-Bangladeshi cultural group in drama, cinema, music, you will be really in trouble.
Tarek was taking such dangerous moves. He is your enemy #1. Now that you have our
full support at least for now you don’t have any thing to worry.
The Daily Star and Prothom Alo supporting
Hasina:Why?
We have no clue except that most freethinkers are anti-Islamic. The newspapers
preach Indian style secularism and are also aligned with Indian Congress syndicate
preaching Indian supremacy over Bangladesh.
Mahfuz and Motiur (Editors of mainstream dailies: Pro-Indian
ex-communist free-thinkers now “manufacturing consent” for
the AL)
15
CHAPTER 7: HASINA’S BKSAL PLUS
ANTI BANGLADESH POLITICS:OVER
THE PRECIPICE AGAIN
The Fascist shadow behind
Hasina
Julfikar Ali
Manikwww.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details
MIG 29 purchases
Hasina escorted by RAB on corruption charges
16
CHAPTER 8: A Glimpse at the 1/11
Motiur- Mahfuz and Pronok’s Indian
Bollywood Show in Bangladesh(20072008)
__________________________________________
Moin U, the Mirjaffor of Bangladesh:
The five feet tall General and his Jagu Bangladesh
Moin U and India’s 6 horses
BDR MUTINY to finish BD army with Indian horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFlqZhc1IQk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb-er6F9DqE
MBI MUNSHI’’S INDIA DOCTRINE
Abid Bahar, Capitalist Development Chocked in Bangladesh
Tuesday September 09 2008 20:31:49, NFB
Abid Bahar, From Polashy to Bangabhavon: A Drama on U Ah’s Selling Bangladesh
Link: "http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidDate=2009-0720&hidType=OPT&hidRecord=0000000000000000275469
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb-er6F9DqE
http://svaradarajan.blogspot.com/2001/04/dateline-dhaka-bdr-chief-is-not-our.html
'Resistance against India in BD'
http://www.hvk.org/articles/0305/14.html
Weekly Blitz report: http://www.weeklyblitz.net/314/strange-happenings-in-bangladesh
Abid Bahar, The 1/11 Hijacking of Bangladesh, http://www.bangladeshweb.com/view.php?hidDate=2008-12-27&hidType=&hidRecord=237359
17
CHAPTER 9: HASINA IN OPPOSITION
OR IN POWER
26th October 2006, AL
members killing political opponents Awami Tandob( Logi Boiytha) 2006 Part 2 youtube
Digital Deception
http://nimg.sulekha.com
Mujiber Muscleman Chalera
http://nimg.sulekha.com
Namoste, Hasina!
When are you going to start
the war crimes trial?
Hasina: Never!
It’s a good strategy. Never
finish it
http://nimg.sulekha.com
http://nimg.sulekha.com
India’s dam will not
be a problem for
Bangladesh-Hasina
18
Hasina- Pronok Drama:
Hasina: Dada, I am having some problems: I have to show to my
people that you gave us something.
Pronok: Ok we will give you the Tipaimukh dam, how about that?
Hasina: Ok, ok, thank you.
Pronok: In exchange what will you give? I am sure we will get the
transit to the NW.
Hasina: Yes, Yes!
Pronok: You are a very intelligent lady; you are just like your
father, your father of the nation.
Hasina: No, he is my father and and also the father of the nation.
Pronok: Yes, he will be the father until Padma, Magna Jamuna will
be there.
Hasina: I heard that you are leaving for your posting in Thailand?
Pronok: I am a Bengali, before I leave I will make sure for get
more from India.
-----------------------------------“DHAKA: Bangladesh on Sunday blocked video website YouTube
after it hosted a audio tape, which appeared to depict army personnel 'shouting' and
'showing anger' at Premier Sheikh Hasina for alleged
Tender anarchy of
inept handling of the BDR mutiny that killed 73
Chatra League
military officers.”
http://www.prothomBDR Mutiny why? 73 officers dead
alo.com/detail/date/2009- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jTBqbqfPUY
12-24/news/27554
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuQYGE2HqZs
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CHAPTER 10: AL’S INSTITUTIONALIZING
(INTOLERANCE TO THE OPPOSITION) FASCISM
97125105&aid=-1&id=1419151844&oid=91797125105
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30267967&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=917
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CHAPTER 11: BANGABANDUKORON HeroWorshipping, A Fascist tendency in the AL/BCL
Hero-worshiping: Little children are indoctrinated to see Mujib as the father of the nation
When there are no enemies, find some around you, fight against them to remain popular.AL ideology of populist politics.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30267967&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=917
97125105&aid=-1&id=1419151844&oid=91797125105
Abid Bahar, Mob Mentality of leaders and the Future of Bangladesh
www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=140365
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Mujiber Chalera: Hasina’s petite Fascists in action(2)
Mujib’s BKSAL tradition of anti_Islamic pro-Indian politics, his technique of using
violence and deception against political opponents is institualized in AL politics.
Bangladesh has to fight against the shadow of Mujib, the fascism in Bangladesh
BCL men go for'change
(BNGBANDUKORONIZATION OF BANGLADESH)
“31-year old sculpture 'Shelly', made by a freedom fighter, a group of leaders and activists of Bangladesh
Chhatra League recently put the statue of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Shahnewaz Hostel of
Dhaka University. Photo: Syed Zakir HossainÈ
22
FASCISM IN ACTION:Following Bangbanduès ideals, Sheikh Salim and the other
leaders controlling the streets for Hasina: Joy Bangla
Attendants lead New Age staff correspondent FM Masum into Dhaka
Medical College Hospital late into Thursday night after he was
picked and beaten up by the Rapid Action Battalion in detention for
23
more than 10 hours and a half. — New Age photo
Politics of anarchy
AL’s SECULARISM: AL writes at the top of their
web page ‘Allah sharbasaktiman’
Mujib’s politics was a politics of deception. In the same vain Hasina’s AL calls for the separation
between religion and politics but “AL writes at the top of their web page ‘Allah sharbasaktiman’ (Allah is
almighty’)? Then what is the big difference between the BNP and the AL?” It is the AL’s more powerful
hypocrisy.
The pious Hasina.Hasina’s Khalafat alliance in 2007.
God bless Hasina’s Secularism in Bangladesh
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CHAPTER 12: Father or the Founding fathers!
Joinal Hazari (a Mujib recruit) is back in politics. “My last wish is to die with state honor,
I have done enough for my party.”-Hazari
Picture says a thousand words. In the above we have seen Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being a
muscleman in the 50’s rose to the status of the president of Bangladesh.Perhaps Joinal Hazari
wouldn’t be as lucky as Bangabandu was. As time changes people also changes, we have
seen that in Bangabandu. In the above pictorial tour he dramatically changed especially in his
mannerism and dress that he began to dress like a muscleman then to his imitation of
Suhwardhy’s western style dress to Jinnah’s dress to after Suhwardhy’s death he took up the
West Bengali dada style dress. While his dress style changed dramatically he seemed to
remain the same person in his use of political technique. In his short rule of just a little more
than three years his use of violence caused 3200, 00 people to lose their lives. Thus he
remained the same person of the 50’s preaching violence when he finally established the
dictatorial BKSAL party. Unfortunately though, in a country like Bangladesh instead of
identifying Mujib’s death as the death of a dictator, the AL party continued to recognize him as
the father of the nation. It says, an abusive biological father's role shouldn't be glorified. In today's
Bangladesh, questions are repeatedly asked, why to honor an "absentee," "authoritarian" and "partisan"
leader, the founder of BAKSAL even as the symbolic "father of the nation" of an emerging democracy.
Mujib was accused of killing the infant democracy in Bangladesh setting the stage for the bloodbath and
subsequent anarchy in Bangladesh. Now, asking him to be recognized as the "father" it seems as if in the
democratic Russia, Stalinists asking to recognize the Fascist dictator Stalin to be the "father of the
Russia."
It is true, Mujib missed his chances and surely doesn't deserve to be the father of the nation also for the
following reasons:
(1) Mujib was not the biological father of the nation, (it is not possible) nor he was an ideal fatherly
political figure of Bangladesh requiring to be recognized as the "father of the nation." An abusive biological
father is not generally glorified. Even in a symbolic form, why to glorify Mujib who loved only his people;
the ALs and was abusive to other anti BAKSAlite democratic Bangladeshis? He is the one who led
Bangladesh from democracy to BAKSAL dictatorship. In doing so he even put elderly leaders like Bhasani
under house arrest. It is a known fact that Mujib's Rakhi bhani, Lal bahini, Shaschasevok bahini, Mujib
bahini and the other para military bahinis killed thousands of activists who opposed him. Which means he
didn't tolerate opposition. He didn't tolerate the Tribal's demand for accepting Bangladeshi nationalism.
Mujib said, "Forget your ethnicity, be Bengali." Now some people (former BAKSAL leader/ supporters) out
of personal devotion and favor/ love received from Mujib want to elevate him to the status of an ideal
father. But was he an ideal father? History tells us that he wasn't. On record Mujib, established
dictatorship of one party system, banned newspapers, he was an elected leader but him as if like a king
demanded intellectuals to visit him to their show of allegiance, and in the process divided the nation. The
legacy of that divide still continues.
(2) He was an elected leader, instead of staying in his house until the last moment he was supposed to be
25
with his people to lead them. (See Zahirul Quaium's interview, Quaium was the senior vice president of
the AL, Mujib waited until March 25 afternoon for a fresh negotiation to begin on the 28th of March). Mujib
surrendered to the Pakistani army. Before his death, Mujib shied away from explaining to reporters why
he surrendered to the advancing army when each and every top member of the AL leadership could
escape to Calcutta. Kamal Hossain who was with Mujib never clarified the issue either.
(3)Mujib was clearly not a statesman but a demagogue and shows he believed in Pakistan. Even US state
department shows, he wanted confederation not independence. On March 2, he even sent Rao Farman Ali
to peruse Yahya Khan in then West Pakistan to save Pakistan. (See Farman Ali's book Bhutto, Mujib and
Bangladesh.) He even said to him that time was running out. For not being a statesman he continued his
foolish negotiation of the 6 points with the pretender Yahya Khan until the 24th of March.
Like most other leaders, even Bashani could escape hiding as a refugee when the Pakistani army went to
Tangail to hunt down "the Kafir" Bhasani, but why not Mujib? It was not definitely his courage to
surrender as somr ALs claim, nor his love to save people as most neo-BAKSalites claim. It appears that at
the last moment, he didn't have much of a choice but to save himself and his family. Alas, such an
opportunist person (Hasina's father) who had left his people to such a helpless situation in 1971, just to
become the Prime Minister of Pakistan (power hungry politics) at last in 1975 could neither save himself
nor his family!
But again killing was not the solution; especially his family was innocent. But nature takes its own course,
his family suffered for his failures.
The point is if you know that Pakistani military rulers will not accept the 6 point demands and you will not
sacrifice a bit of the 6 points, why to negotiate until March 24 when Yahya left Dhaka after finishing all the
preparations to attack? If it was not his foolish love for Pakistan, what was it? Negation means to come to
a common ground. What was going on from the 7th March to the 24th March? What made him so
confident? How can a Pakistan lover be the father of Bangladesh?
Bhasani reminded Mujib again and again, Pakistanis will not accept his 6 points. Bhasani declared
independence in December. Why Mujib didn't is a question repeatedly asked? BAKSAlite explanation, "This
great patriot, wanted to save lives," Could he save innocent lives?" Then why he had to be a coward not a
revolutionary?
Bhasani used to call Mujib lacking in enough intelligence in the upper chamber. The truth is as a very
powerful agitator he was dealing with big and small political issues he couldn't handle.
Some Als even believes that the Pakistan army feared to kill him. It will be foolish to forget, the notorious
Pakistani army didn't fear to hang Bhutto, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. But why Mujib was saved and
his family even received protection and allowance in Dhaka? Was there a secret deal at the last moment?
If there was one does he deserve to be a father? These are some unanswered questions about
Bangabandu’s role in Bangladesh’s crucial hours. That is the untold "Bangabandu story" of Bangladesh.
If Mujib had some love for Pakistan, or most love for his family at the expense of the millions of people
facing the organized Pakistani military, what does he deserve? Not glorify him as the father of the nation.
Under the circumstances, if historians consider him as a pretender, an absentee political leader at times of
national distress, while in power only proved himself a dictator, no govt. should open the controversial
issue to further lower his credibility. In opening the issue we are only dividing the nation and doing a
disservice to it because to many, Mujib's BAKSAL was similar to Sadam's Bath party, or like any other
African Fascist dictatorships.
In conclusion, will glorifying this man as the "father" likely to create consensus in Bangladesh? To me they
are only opening the Pandora ’s Box which will be a recipe for further chaos.
If we desire for a developed Bangladesh for the common masses, but not help benefit Hasina’s, or
Khalidas, or the hero-worshippers, the wisest measure to take would be either to ignore the issue
altogether or recognize this controversial partisan BAKSAL founder/figure/ absentee politician as only one
of the founding fathers of Bangladesh (for his role in the pre liberation period (leading up to March 7,
1971.)
Bhasani, the spiritual leader of Bangladesh, the founder of AL, and the Ittifaq, the leader of 1969
movement that ousted Ayub and saved Mujib, and was the chairman of the government in exile in India
and declared independence, was a fatherly figure to Mujib also deserve to be one of the founding fathers.
Then it was Zia who declared independence and brought order after Mujib's BAKSAL and its subsequent
anarchy. It seems that until the nation recognizes Bhasani, Mujib and Zia as the founding fathers of
26
Bangladesh, there will not be any political consensus. Seen in the favorable light, Bhasani, Mujib and Zia
could be seen as our Gandhi, Nehru and Patel of Bangladesh. But the question will continue to be asked to
the thinking Bangladeshis if the followers of the rebel rouser Bangabandu and their India backers will
accept something positive about the contributions of the other national leaders in order to save the nation
from the shadow of fascism that was first installed by Bangabandu.
Hasina with the SAARC leaders
The Heads of State/Government of SAARC Nations at a Retreat near Colombo on July
30, 1998. Photo shows (from right) the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina
Wajed, the Chair of Council of Ministers of Bhutan Mr. Jigme Tinley, the Prime Minister
of Nepal Mr. G.P. Koirala,the Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the
President of Sri Lanka Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the President of Maldives Mr.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Nawaz Sharif.
Symbol of Bangladesh’s future
27
Source: BANGLAPEDIA: National Assembly building; vision of a world famous
American architect, Luis I Kahn.
End notes and References:
1. Mozahed Alam, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The Father of the Nation: A Political Profile, 1999. www.bangabandhu.org/profile.html;
Early life of Bangabandhu « Moktel Hossain Mukthi
muktimusician.wordpress.com/2009/11/.../early-life-of-bangabandhu
early-life-of-bangabandhu
2.http// Wikipedia .org
3. Information compiled from interviews done on the the contemporaries of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
4. Jalal Uddin Khan, Sonar Bangladesh, BAL & Amar Desh
Support AWAMI LEAGUE(NOWKA) for a Revolutionary democratic Change.'dan Fotoğraflar
facebook; Hasina’s Logi Boitha Viloence youtube video link http://www.youtube. com/watch?
v=hjWhLD1- JLk&feature= player_embedded;
Abid Bahar, Bangabandu Vs. Mussolini of Italy: Striking Similarities
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2008-08-25&hidType=&hidRecord=216675; BCL
men go for 'change'Dec 2, 2009, Daily Star;
Shahidul Alam, Sheikh Mujib: A people's dictator , Notun Bangladesh, August 14, 2008. Farman Ali,
Bhutto, Sheikh Mujib and Bangladesh, Published by Altaf Hossain: Translated by and published in Bengali
by Mostofa Harun, 1978,
Abul Monsur Ahamed, Amer Dhaker Rajnatir Ponchas Botchas, Dhaka:Khroz Kitab Mohal, 1984.; Azizul
Karim, From Awami League to BAKSAL, http://newsfrombang ladesh.net/ view.php? hidRecord= 42362;
28
Abid Bahar, The 1/11 Hijacking of Bangladesh, http://www.bangladeshweb.com/view.php?hidDate=2008-12-27&hidType=&hidRecord=237359
Abu Rushd edited "Secret Affidavit of Yahya Khan," Published by: Bangladesh Defence Journal,
February 2009
http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=5049
M A S Molla,Tajuddin's prophecy, Daily Star, November 03, 2006
Ibid
Syed Muhammad Hussain, "A book, a coup, some thoughts"
http://www.newagebd.com/edit.html#2; http://www.bdsdf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=3478
Awami League and its role betwen 1971 and 1975, Jamshed Chowdhury, Bangladesh:
Failed Years —- 1972-75, based on his thesis dissertation for his PhD from Heidelberg
University; Amartya Sen, Poverty and Famines (Famine in Bangladesh, p. 131), New
York: Oxford University Press, 1981; Abid Bahar, Bangabandu Mujib and
Benito Mussolini: Striking Similarities, News from Bangladesh, http://bangladeshweb.com/view.php?hidRecord=218125.
Submissions - Khan Saifur Rahman (Senior Advocate)
Case of Mutiny leading to Murder or a Case of Murder Simpliciter? Defence arguments
presented on behalf of Col. Syed Farook Rahman and Col Mohiuddin
Syed Muhammad Hussain, "A book, a coup, some thoughts"
http://www.newagebd.com/edit.html#2;http://www.bdsdf.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=3478
MUJIB MURDER CASE Court rules on reading of 3rd verdict today, New Age Front Page.
http://www.newagebd.com/2009/oct/13/front.html; Mujibès Killers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l292yT1FHDo&feature=related
Kamruddin Ahamed, Banglar Ak Modhubetter Atho Kahini (Bengali), Dhaka, p. 1-4, 15,
1979; also quoted in Syed Abul Maksud, Bhasani, First edition, 1986, 122, 126-127, p.
146-147.
Toffozal Hossain Manik Mia, Pakistani Rajnitir Bish Botshor, pp. 68-69, 86-87, 90-91
talks about Mujib’s widespread use of blackmailing intimidation and force to push
through his agenda. Also see in Syed Abul Maksud, Bhasani, First edition, 1986, pp.146147.
The director in charge of the Radio station recorded that Mujib personally warned him
for giving Bhasani a grand coverage as a hero as at Bhasani’s return from India. But
openly he showed great respect for Bhasani.
29
Kamruddin Ahamed, Banglar Ak Modhubetter Atho Kahini (Bengali), Dhaka, p. 1-4, 15,
1979;
Henrik Ibsen, The Enemy of the People, “An Enemy of the People addresses the irrational
tendencies of the masses, and the hypocritical and corrupt nature of the political system that they
support. It is the story of one brave man's struggle to do the right thing and speak the truth in the
face of extreme social intolerance; see for Properties stocked in Mujib’s house Ittifaq, 30th
October 1975/ (Among the illegal weapons recovered were one heavy machine gun, two light
machinre guns, 3 SMGs, 8 Stan guns, 10 rifles, 60 grenades and ammunitions.)
.http://www.amardeshbd.com/dailynews/detail_news_index.php?NewsID=247355&New
sType=bistarito&SectionID=home
Logi Boitha Viloence youtube video link http://www.youtube. com/watch?
v=hjWhLD1- JLk&feature= player_embedded
Sheikh Hasina
http://sajeeb. blogspot. com/2007/ 04/charges- against-sheikh- hasina.html;
BDR MASSACRE; Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpmr4gKFHww&feature=related, part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWI3Ybe2hfs&NR=1
Dr. Abid Bahar's exposure of Mujib and BKSAL By Zoglul Husain, UK London 26 November
2009. I read with much interest Dr. Abid Bahar's three articles on ...
www.wikio.com/themes/Abid+Bahar
Reading Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What do we learn from the early life (1920-39) of Bangabandu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman? Was Mujib a compulsive person? Why was he force
to marry at the age of 18?
What did he do during his high school years that helped him become
the future leader of Bangladesh?
What kind of changes we see in his mannerism and political techniques
Mujib employed from the school years to 1975? What were the
underlying reasons for his rise and also fall?
Mujib was fined by Dhaka university for his involvement in the 4th class
employee labor union politics. He refused to pay the fine? Was it a fair
or unfair act?
In the independent Bangladesh, there are demands for banning
student’s involvement in politics, is there anything to be learned from
Mujib’s life as an example? Why during his rule, there were so many
murders in the university campus? Who were the killers?
Shall today’s students follow Mujib as an ideal to suceed in life or
consider it inappropriate in an independent country?
Was he a populist leader or a statesman?
Was he an honest leader or he used deception in politics?
Was Agartala conspiracy a true event?
30
If Agartala was true, why Mujib was negotiating from the 7th to the
24th March? Was he for an independent Bangladesh or a
confederation?
11.
Did Mujib declare independence? Why the AL claims that the
declaration was send to Chittagong and was made from Kalurghat and
not from Dhaka?Is it to undermine Zia’s declaration?
12.
Why in 1971 he preferred to surrender than remain outside as a rebel?
Was that a pattern in Mujib’s leadership?
13.
What made Mujib powerful, is it his strong loyality and favouratism to
the political party or his love for rational institutions and democracy?
14.
Why during his rule, Mujib loved to help his party man than the
countryman?
15.
Why Mujib boosted in extra-judicial killings?Is it his demonstration of
the style a roughshot muslman or demonstration of frustration?
16.
Why AL people do do hero worship of Mujib?
17.
What is Fascism?
18.
Are there elements of Fascism in Mujib’s leadership?
19.
What are the similarities and differences between Mujib and Mousilini?
20.
Who killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? Who were the parties involved?
21.
Was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death the of a dictator or the death of a
statesman?
22.
Mujib gave his great historic 7th March speech but a failure in the post
liberation as a statesman? Does this make Mujib a pre liberation hero
or a post liberation hero?
23.
AL followers claim that Mujib founded the AL, the newspaper Ittifaq,
the autonomy demands and he declared the independence of
Bangladesh and should be the rightful father of the nation. What are
the elements of truth in this statesment?
24.
Who founded the two national institutions, Awami League and the
Ittifaq and led the language movement, the 1969 mass movement to
release Mujib from Agartala conspiracy, made the declaration of
independence, his politics was to serve god (called ibada), and all his
life lived in hut with peasants, and was the chairman of the
government in exile in India and a fatherly figure to Mujib?
25.
What is the story of Major Dalim and Golam Mostafa’s son – Sheikh
Kamal and the army involvement in the death of Mujib? Why Mujib
took side of Golam Mostofa? What was Shafiullah’s advice?
26.
Why the AL wants everything in Mujib’s name and defame the other
national leaders? Does this have anything to do with the concept of
ownership? It this a democratic act?
27.
A debate: ZIA THE DICTATOR- AL
ZIA IS THE FATHER OF MULTI PARTY DEMOCRACY IN
BANGLADESH –BNP. In the light of the constitution’s Fourth and the Fifth
Amendment what is true?
10.
31
28.
Why the AL leadership that wanted independence from Pakistan is
naturally show subordination to India?Is is a matter of opportunism or
leadership to Bangladesh’s continued independence?
29.
Who were the parties to the 1/11 drama?
30.
Why the AL capture of power is the fruit of violence?
31.
What does Hasina’s logi boitha movement refers to?
32.
Why AL election win also brings the commonly known “tender league
anarchy?”
33.
Is Bangladesh in the list of nations favourable toward development or
toward debt? Where does Bangladesh’s development money come
from?
34.
What is India Doctrine? Why India has continued trade surplus with
Bangladesh?
35. Why AL politics is based on controlling the media and the media
propaganda?
36.What connection Hasina has in the wider world of international alliance?
37. What are the prospects of a multiparty democracy leading upto a
continued development in Bangladesh?
32