Bangladesh’s war for independence in 1971 was brief; thanks largely to Indira Gandhi’s steadfast decision-making and racing through the maze of opposition worldwide and within India. Bangladesh’s independence was good for India and also for the people who formed a new country called Bangladesh.
The reason for the separation of Pakistan was caused by the colonial attitude of the West Pakistani ruling class (the Army) and the quest for democracy by the people from East Pakistan. America was the role model often cited during the struggles all the way from 1952 till 1971. However what happened after the independence is somewhat different; a concoction of electoral voting followed by dictatorship of one person.
Right from the inception, the founding architect of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman decimated the opposition by killing and silencing them and then forming a one-party system BKSAL in 1974. Awami League, the ruling party now is the same party of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and there could be a parallel drawn pre- 1974 and what is happening now. Some of Sheikh’s advisors and architects of the one party system in 1974 are still alive and are advising Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sheikh Mujib formed the Rakkhi Bahini (militia) to protect the great leader and his family. Similarly Sheikh Hasina has a Special Security Force (SSF) composing of tough militia trained in foreign countries and also has some foreign elements. Apparently she does not trust Bangladeshi forces.
Ziaur Rahman, a military General took power in 1976 to unite a fragmented nation. He had to subdue about 18 uprisings and at the same time undo the dictatorial system created in 1974. He was ruthlessly honest and tough but lacked political acumen. He subdued all fragmented militias and united what is the start of Bangladesh today and started the first multi-party electoral process. Unfortunately he was killed in a coup in 1982 and General Ershad took power. Ershad ruled Bangladesh with a fake electoral process for 9 years until he was overthrown by popular uprising in 1991. Some quarters believe Ershad was complicit in the murder of Ziaur Rahman. As is usual with political murders, getting the true story is next to impossible.
Dictator Ershad’s political party currently is in coalition with the Sheikh Hasina’s party. He is believed to be her advisor, mentor as well as acting as a fake opposition in the parliament. The real opposition party BNP did not join the flawed election of January 5, 2014. The country is leading towards a one party monopoly again. Sheikh Hasina’s aim is to destroy main opposition party BNP; something similar to what happened in 1972-1975 when Sheikh Mujib destroyed the main opposition JSD, killing the leaders and their people who formed its hierarchy.
This is a brief of the Bangladesh’s political history from 1971 and it is suggested that one should read various books and sources that are available for it is difficult to find a coherent explanation of the true history. True history has been distorted to the political advantage of each administration aiming to bolster their position and decimate opposition. Especially the events in the last 6 years is extremely important as it may tip the balance-sheet of history. While the mid-level entrepreneurs, workers and peasants are developing the economy, the politicians are squandering and de-accelerating the flow of growth. The aim of the present regime and their backing capitalists (may number about 20 wealthiest families) is to establish a powerful one-party monopoly. It will assure their money making ventures which are often illegal or equivalent to looting. The politicians are forgetting that the Bangladeshi people are not fools. They are wise enough to figure out the injudicious acts of the politicians and these super-rich class and eventually will win at the end.
The Bangladesh Chronicle
A well written article. It’s a shame Awami League has come down to become a party of terrorists and striving to establish one party monopoly. Their student wing has raised havoc in last 6 years. Awami League and their student wing are responsible for the abductions and murders of members of the opposition parties. The police and paramilitary police (RAB) have been murdering people without any cause just because they are opposition party folks.
The political history of Bangladesh has always been an apathy and a difficult journey for freedom loving people because the dirtiest game being played by the AL party; since the inception of this country at the behest of India’s clinical support then to tear apart the two wings of a nation for its geopolitical aspects, economics and military advantages by axing the two wings altogether to many of her advantageous position. India’s support and military intervention during the War of Liberation gave India a timely opportunity to intervene to make the best of her political scheme.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh needed an overdue separation from the colonial and subjugated rule and emancipation by the Pakistani ruling junta since the partition of India. Although the nation got separated but the general mass is yet to achieve citizenry freedom and independence to exercise its vote of franchise independently without fear and any influence. May Allah help this country from further disaster and sufferings of the innocent mass.
I totally agree with A Citizen. Awami League is the strongest and well established party. It’s leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman originally fought politically to establish Pakistan. He also led the opposition against Pakistani Military rule in the 1969-1970. His aim was to become the PM of Pakistan and not formation of a separate nation. But some keen supporters will say otherwise. They want to dream Sheikh Mujib uttered the independence word. While Zia was fighting the war in the theater, Sheikh Mujib was well kept in a jail Pakistan. He had no idea what was going on.
Presently, AL leadership changed this part of the history saying, Sheikh Mujib declared independence and was only person who shoul dbe worshipped for our independent nation. In last 6 years they altered true history in text books as well officially to make a North Korean Kim like figure out of Sheikh Mujib and tarnishing every one else including Tajuddin and Ziaur Rahman. Some of the MP and ministers of AL government even called Zia a traitor or a Pakistani loving person. They publicly say Zia was against formation of Bangladesh.
In this type of climate, no one can recite the actual history. Because it will hurt the AL leadership from 1969 till now. But as a nation we must re-write the actual history for ourselves and the next generation. Write now, they are getting a confused version of the independence and wrong information about who was the actual fighter and who was not.
The much awaited independence of Bangladesh has been a product of crisis fumed out of the national election to the national parliament of the then Pakistan in the 1970; the result of which was brushed aside by not accepting the defeat by the ruling junta and coterie of Pakistani political clicks that set a tone for the people of the then East Pakistan to declare independence and war of liberation at the call of then late President Ziarur Rahman on 26th March, ’71 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was totally absent from the war ravaged theatre of the then ongoing war of liberation of Bangladesh. The guerrilla type war struggling people of Bangladesh was aided largely by the neighboring country-India to essentially reap her long geopolitical desires against arch rival Pakistan. India left no stone unturned to achieve her longstanding desirable goals and missions in breaking the two wings set apart with India in between in a militarily disadvantageous placement for having to open up many fronts in the event of any war between the two countries. In the event she solved one of her major military solutions by disintegrating the two wings.
Bangladesh became independent since 26th March ’71 and won victory over the occupied forces of Pakistan on December, the 16th 1971 and since then its people are yet to relish its independence, freedom of expression, freedom of right to exercise its voting right freely and fairly to the seats of the national parliament when it is due for voting.