46 years ago during the early hours of this day, a group of young Bangladesh army personnel invaded the Dhanmondi 32 residence of revolutionary leader and first President of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and gave him an ultimatum: resign or die.
When the father of Bangladesh refused to resign, he was brutally murdered along with his family, just 7 months after he fought for his country and assumed the presidency.
In Bengali, “Bangabandhu” means “friend of Bengal”, and that captures the ideals that Mujeeb-ur-Rehman lived by.
Born in Tungipara, Bengal, in 1920, Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman was a staunch advocate for democracy and socialism, and involved in politics since his university days.
Mujeeb is remembered for his resolve and dissent against the ethnic and institutional discrimination of Bengalis in Pakistan.
He played a crucial role in the Language Movement in 1948 and rallied a nationwide strike against the Muslim League’s decision to impose Urdu upon East Pakistanis. By 1949, he left the Muslim League and formed the Awami League, using it to gain more autonomy for East Pakistan.
But the magnum opus of Bangabandhu’s dissent came after Ayub Khan imposed martial law. Mujeeb was arrested, once again, but on this occasion, he released his six-point plan.
The six points movement called for greater autonomy for East Pakistan, and a balance of power to be maintained between the two sections of Pakistan. The movement marked a shift towards secularism – something Mujeeb was a big advocate for. His points alienated West Pakistanis and Muslim fundamentalists.
Mujeeb’s constant agitation led to West Pakistani politicians and the military seeing him as a separatist leader. This led to the infamous Agartala Conspiracy Case, formally known as State vs. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others where Mujeeb’s courage and passion for justice were highlighted. A group of courageous Bengalis walked into the courtroom led by Mujeeb, charged with conspiracy to break up Pakistan and turn East Pakistan into an independent state with assistance from the Indian government.
On the opening day of the trial, Mujeeb spotted a familiar journalist and called out his name, only to find the journalist not responding out of fear. However, Mujeeb persisted, and eventually, the journalist whispered: “Mujeeb Bhai, we can’t talk here …” Mujeeb famously responded loudly: “Anyone who wishes to stay in Bangladesh will have to talk to Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.”
The trial was dismissed in 1969, and Mujeeb went on to oppose the government of Yahya Khan. Soon he crossed paths with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who recognised Mujeeb’s resolve. He promised him the seat of prime minister, however Yahya Khan banned the Awami League and imprisoned Mujeeb.
This was the last straw for Mujeeb and he signed an official declaration on 25th March 1971 declaring Bangladesh a sovereign and independent country.
Bangabandhu was a leader that a state encounters only once in a lifetime. He stands among great names, such as Peter I of Russia, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Mahatma Gandhi, who founded homes for their people.
In this spirit, on his death anniversary, we recall his dance with dissent, and how the lifelong struggle and resolve of one man led to the liberation of many others.
