Mujibnagar Govt and Bangabandhu’s Leadership

Under Bangabandhu’s leadership, we got the country called Bangladesh. Now the country is well recognized in the world because of his daughter Sheikh Hasina. Under her proper guidance, the government is moving forward. Writing about the life and politics of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will not end in a whole day or a whole month. The Father of the Nation is an integral part of history.

— writes Dr Md. Shafiqul Islam

Every year on April 17, Bangladesh commemorates Mujibnagar Day. This day is known for being particularly connected to Bangladesh’s declaration of independence. In honor of the historic Mujibnagar Day, the government today declared April 17 a public holiday in Meherpur’s Mujibnagar upazila. The provisional government-in-exile took an oath on this date (April 17) fifty years ago at a mango grove in Baidyanathtala, a border region in the current Meherpur district. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh while vice-president Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in absence of Bangabandhu.

Under Bangabandhu’s leadership, we got the country called Bangladesh. Now the country is well recognized in the world because of his daughter Sheikh Hasina. Under her proper guidance, the government is moving forward. Writing about the life and politics of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will not end in a whole day or a whole month. The Father of the Nation is an integral part of history.

Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are synonyms. One is closely related to the other. One cannot be imagined without the other. The new generation should be informed about his consciousness. That is why the government and we have to take various steps. His leadership should be researched so that people can know new information about him. His sacrifices from the language movement of 1952 to independence in 1971 is unbelievable. He led every movement risking his life, so we are free today and can speak our mother tongue today. Because of his birth, we have an independent country and a national flag today. Our child should introduce Bangabandhu by referring to the national flag and the speech of the Father of the Nation on March 7. Our moral and social responsibility is to inform the new generation about Bangabandhu. By fulfilling this responsibility, we will practice the ideals and spirit of the Father of the nation. Society should be taken forward by keeping the true ideals of Bangabandhu in our minds and heart. This will make Bangabandhu’s soul find peace.

Bangabandhu was a leader of the oppressed people, as reflected in his various speeches, such as his speech in the capital of Algeria in 1973, where he said that the world today is divided into two parts. One is the side of the exploiter, and the other is the side of the exploited. But Bangabandhu said in that speech that I am for the exploited. That day, Fidel Castro compared Bangabandhu to the Himalayas. What a lucky nation we got a leader like him. But if he had not been killed by a bullet in 1975, the country would have been in a better and more vital position today because his political and economic thoughts were far-reaching. The speech he gave at the Racecourse ground on January 10, 1972, after the victory on December 16, 1971, was his proof. Because in that speech, he outlined Bangladesh’s future prosperity and the country’s reconstruction. That was very commendable. He was able to rebuild the war-torn country in a very short time. He always thought about the nation and the country’s people. He loved the people and children of the country very much.

Many great people have been born in the world, but many have been discussed and criticized after their death. But our undisputed leader, and great hero Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is not criticized. We are proud of this.

Bangabandhu was a man of liberal thoughts. This great man created a rare precedent. He would always give respect to his political rivals, which can be understood by reviewing history. He was a unique example in political, economic, and social society. For which he is getting and will get respect from all people.

Bangabandhu was a voice of protest against injustice. For example, after the imposition of Ayub Khan’s dictatorship in East Pakistan in 1958, unity was formed between Maulana Bhasani and Bangabandhu. They led various movements and struggles against the dictatorship. Bangabandhu’s contributions of 1948, 1952, 1962, 1966, 1969, and 1971 cannot be concluded by writing or speaking. He had spontaneous participation and a strict role in every movement, so he became the common man’s leader. Bangabandhu’s every decision was well-planned, and he believed that progress meant keeping pace with the times and thus leading the country. The speeches of March 3, March 7, 1971, the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu in the early hours of March 26, and the speech given by him on January 10, 1972, each speech were groundbreaking and timely. Every speech is to be remembered because his speech showed promising signs of leadership and love for the country. Due to this, he is different from other national leaders.

A journalist asked Bangabandhu on March 17, 1971, “Today is your 52nd birthday”. What is your wish for this birthday? In reply, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, said the total liberation of the people. So, he never did politics for power; he did it for the welfare of the people. His life was very simple. Even after being in power in the country, he did not live in the official residence. This is the politics of public welfare, not the politics of enjoyment. Our current politicians have a chance to learn a lot from here. Now politics practised by the leader is not well accepted in society. That’s why ordinary people don’t like contemporary politics. Therefore, I request leaders to do politics like Bangabandhu and work for the welfare of the common people by cherishing his ideals. Bangabandhu’s daughter leads the country by holding his ideals and presenting the country positively to the world’s people. We should take Bangabandhu’s spirit, strengthen Sheik Hasina’s hands, and play a role in building Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla.

Bangabandhu has been working for people’s rights and has been imprisoned repeatedly. He was not afraid of lawsuits, prisons, oppression, and torture. Despite all this, he was devoted to the people. He never compromised with injustice at any moment. Standing on the gallows, he spoke of freedom and human rights. No rank, title, or greed could attract him. We all hold and practice the ideals, think of the people’s sufferings, and stand by them. Today hope to extend a helping hand to people’s suffering. We deeply remember Bangabandhu in the month of March.

(The writer is an Associate  Professor at the Department of Accounting & Information Systems, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh).