[🇧🇩] Liberation War: Sheikh Mujib and Others

[Saif]

Date of Event: Nov 10, 2024

Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/march-7-belongs-people-not-just-al-anu-muhammad-3729126

March 7 belongs to people, not just AL: Anu Muhammad
Says any attempt to erase history won't be tolerated

Anu Muhammad

Renowned economist and former Jahangirnagar University professor, Anu Muhammad, today said March 7 does not belong to the Awami League, nor is the historic speech of that day a personal matter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In response to the recent cancellation of March 7 as a national day, Prof Anu expressed his views on his personal Facebook account, saying that the day represents the collective consciousness of people from all walks of life, nearly every political group, and organisation in the country.

"The power of Mujib's speech was derived from the extraordinary rise of the people. In fact, the Liberation War of 1971 began on this very day.

"March 7 is undoubtedly a significant part of our history. While Sheikh Mujib is a political figure subject to criticism and analysis, but any attempts to erase history will not be tolerated," he wrote.​

 

[Saif]

Govt doesn't consider Bangabandhu the Father of the Nation: Nahid Islam

"Bangabandhu has been made controversial by the Awami League," he said

www.thedailystar.net

Govt doesn't consider Bangabandhu the Father of the Nation: Nahid Islam
interim government's stance on Bangabandhu

Nahid Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, said today that the interim government does not recognise Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.

"Bangabandhu has been made controversial by the Awami League," he said in response to a question from journalists at the Secretariat.

When asked if he personally considers Bangabandhu the Father of the Nation, Nahid replied, "The Awami League held power in a fascist manner. They stayed in power by suppressing people's voting rights, through enforced disappearances, killings, and even genocide. Therefore, whatever they declared—whether calling someone the Father of the Nation or designating a national day—such continuities will not remain in the new Bangladesh."

He added that the government wants to rebuild Bangladesh in a new way, which requires bringing a new perspective to history.

When asked if the government considers anything done by the Awami League to be of national importance, the adviser responded, "A government without a mandate has no legitimacy. Many actions were taken during that period, but all of them will be restructured and reassessed."

In response to a question about whether the current interim government considers Bangabandhu the Father of the Nation, he replied, "Certainly not."

He further explained, "If we did, then we wouldn't have a Father of the Nation at all. Many people have contributed to the struggles of this land. Our history didn't start in 1952 alone. We have the anti-British struggle, the movements of 1947 and 1971, as well as those of 1990 and 2024. We have many founding fathers. It is through their struggles that we achieved independence."

The information adviser also commented on the cancellation of certain national days, saying, "The national days being cancelled were imposed by the Awami League. This was fascist behaviour. The government considers them unimportant, which is why they are being cancelled."

He added that a new national day might be established to commemorate the mass uprisings.​

 

[Saif]

'Liberation War's history placed on a single pillar'

The country's first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad's daughter Sharmin Ahmad yesterday said the Liberation War was a people's war. However, the history of the war of independent has been established on a single pillar -- the "Bangabandhu pillar"

www.thedailystar.net

'Liberation War's history placed on a single pillar'

Photo: Courtesy/Prothom Alo


The country's first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad's daughter Sharmin Ahmad yesterday said the Liberation War was a people's war. However, the history of the war of independent has been established on a single pillar -- the "Bangabandhu pillar".

In this process, the contributions of many people have been lost, especially the stories of the rural youth, adolescents, and Biranganas, she added.

She said this while speaking at a programme titled "Shotabdir Kanthashor Tajuddin Ahmad: Kannyar Chokhe, Putrer Chokhe", organised by Oitijjihya, a publishing house marking two decades of its journey.She said, "Bangabandhu's image is on the 1-taka note, and also on the 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100-taka notes. This isn't about diminishing Bangabandhu, but it becomes the history of just one person."

During the event, Oitijjihya launched a paperback edition of "Tajuddin Ahmad: Neta o Pita", a book published in 2014 on the liberation and post-liberation period, authored by Sharmin.During her speech, Sharmin highlighted various historical aspects of the Liberation War that took place in Bangabandhu's absence.

She said during the Liberation War, Bangabandhu fostered a secret group within the Awami League that worked covertly with the Indian RSS and intelligence agencies, which harmed the Liberation War effort significantly.

This eventually led to the formation of the Mujib Bahini, which attacked freedom fighters, she added.

She noted that these events are part of history, not intended to diminish anyone. However, there is a fear that revealing these facts could disrupt the image that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina wishes to uphold.

She also shared insights into the untold plans of 1971, saying, "At that time, Bangabandhu, Tajuddin Ahmad, and others had planned to go underground on the night of March 25, taking shelter in Old Dhaka to declare independence and lead the war. However, that plan was foiled when Bangabandhu was arrested, which deeply shocked and surprised Tajuddin Ahmad. This incident marked the point where two distinct paths emerged in history."

Sharmin said Bangabandhu holds a significant place as a "symbol" that will always remain. Beyond that, however, his actions and legacy should be open to discussion and critique. It is important to create space for this.

She said many young people feel disconnected from the Liberation War due to a lack of comprehensive historical education.

"For a long time, they were taught only the history of one family, one individual. As a result, they feel disinterested. However, the Liberation War was a people's war, with contributions from every race. It is essential to highlight these contributions," she added.She said, "Today's children are confused. They think the history of the Liberation War is the story of the Sheikh family -- about Russel, Jamal and Kamal. There's no space here for the stories of the poor mothers' children, those who lost their dignity."

Sharmin urged the younger generation to revisit the history of the Liberation War. "The new generation should know the proper history of the Liberation War, and after knowing it, they can analyse its contributions."

Speaking at the event, Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj, son of Tajuddin Ahmad, said, "Maintaining the same principles in both personal and public life was a defining characteristic of Tajuddin. Today, there is a lack of such values among our politicians."

"We have compromised on essential qualities like morality, honesty, principles, and ideals. This is why the country's political landscape is so chaotic. If we could uphold these values, they would be reflected in the betterment of our society."

Reflecting on the sacrifices of those who fought for Bangladesh's independence, Sohel Taj added, "Our duty is to honour the debt of their blood. Even if we can't give anything else, we should at least show respect to them."​

 

[Saif]

মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সময় ভারতীয় গোয়েন্দা সংস্থা 'র' এর ভিন্ন উদ্দেশ্য ছিলো: শারমিন আহমদ

 

[Saif]

শেখ মুজিবের স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা নিয়ে সংশয় আছে: শারমিন আহমদ

 

[Saif]

শেখ সাহেব কিভাবে স্বাধীনতার ঘোষক হন, প্রশ্ন তাজউদ্দীন কন্যার?

 

[Saif]

শেখ মুজিব কি আসলেই মুক্তিযুদ্ধ চেয়েছিলেন?

 

[Saif]

'ভুট্টোকে খুশি করতেই শেখ মুজিব ১৯৫ জন যুদ্ধাপরাধী সেনাকে মাফ করে দেন'

 

[Saif]

মুজিব ভাই আমাদের ২৩ বছরের প্রচেষ্টা নস্যাৎ করে দিল: তাজউদ্দীন আহমদ

 

[Saif]

স্বাধীন বাংলা বেতার কেন্দ্র থেকে তাজউদ্দীন আহমদের ভাষণ​

 

[Saif]

India's removal of 1971 war photo, A snub to Bangladesh’s?

 

[Saif]

Remembering the martyred intellectuals

Some dates on the calendar are both painful and inspiring. It is painful due to the unwanted and undesirable incident that took place on a particular date. Again, it also reminds the great sacrifice of some lives that inspires the nation. The Martyred Intellectuals Day, also known as Buddhijibi Dib

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Remembering the martyred intellectuals
Tanim Asjad
Published :
Dec 13, 2024 21:31
Updated :
Dec 13, 2024 21:31

Some dates on the calendar are both painful and inspiring. It is painful due to the unwanted and undesirable incident that took place on a particular date. Again, it also reminds the great sacrifice of some lives that inspires the nation. The Martyred Intellectuals Day, also known as Buddhijibi Dibosh, is one such day observed by the people in Bangladesh.

Just two weeks before the surrender of the Pakistani Army in 1971, the occupation forces had launched an operation to kill as many intellectuals of Bangladesh as possible. Assisted by the local collaborators, the killing operation led to the death of a number of renowned teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and others. As the occupation forces and their collaborators had already come to know the fate of their own, it was one last assault to turn the country devoid of intellectuals and top professionals.

Killing the intellectuals of then East Pakistan was part of the overall plan to subjugate the Bengali people from the behinning. During the Black Night of March 25, the military junta launched "Operation Searchlight", killing hundreds and thousands of innocent Bangalee people. Intellectuals were specific targets on that fateful night. Ten eminent teachers of Dhaka University, including Gobinda Chandra Dev, Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta and Anwar Pasha, were killed. GC Dev was a distinguished philosopher and scholar and a much respected teacher. To many, he was a saintly person. Late thriller writer and publisher Qazi Anwar Hussain, once in a conversation with this scribe, describing the atmosphere of Dhaka University during the '60s, said: "I saw Professor GC Dev was browsing a book while strolling. Disturbed by a fly trying to sit on his face, the saint-like man was trying to remove it with one hand as his other hand was holding the book."

In fact, throughout the nine months of the war, intellectuals across the country were attacked, abducted and killed. For instance, On April 8, physician Mohammed Shafi, husband of Begaum Mushtari Shafi, in Chottogram, was forcefully abducted by the Pakistani Army and later killed along with his brother-in-law Ehsan. Shafi was reputed for his social and pro-independent activities and extended full support to his wife, Mushtari Shafi, the eminent writer and activist. After the abduction of Shafi, Mushtari fled the country with her children, taking a lot of trouble and joined Sawdhin Banlga Betar Kendra.

December 14, 1971, however, witnessed the final blow to wipe out the intellectuals. Those who were abducted from their houses blindfolded were later found dead at Rayarbazar in Dhaka. The list includes Mufazzal Haider Chaudhury, Munier Choudhury, Shahidullah Kaiser, Dr Mohammad Fazle Rabbee and many others.

As the Pakistani force surrendered on December 16 in 1971, it became Bangladesh's Victory Day. Immediately after independence, Tajuddin Ahmed, the country's first prime minister, declared December 14 as the Martyred Intellectuals Day. Though the full list of the martyred intellectuals is yet to be prepared, their sacrifice is well recognised. Several books provide a vivid description of their lives and works. Bangla Academy published a series titled Sritmi Ekattor (Memory of 1971), compiling martyred intellectuals' memories.

The martyred intellectuals showed that standing against injustice and intimidation is not easy. By sacrificing their lives, they also proved that it is the duty of the enlightened section of society to defend the interests of the country, work for emancipation of people from oppression and all kinds of discriminations. It is sad that more than 50 years later, the legacy of the martyred intellectuals is yet to be consolidated. Intellectuals today mostly fail to live up to the high standard of their predecessors who sacrificed their lives for the country. They sermonise to uphold the spirit of the liberation war of 1971, but fall short of maintaining the principles and values.​