15/08/2024
Title : Mujib : Bangabandhu?
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the torchbearer of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, has an undisputed legacy written in the golden letters of Bangladeshi history as he was the beacon of hope for all the libertarian folks residing in Bangladesh. As the driving force behind the Bangladesh liberation war, his speech galvanised millions of Bangladeshis to rise up and fight for their freedom. His dedication to justice, equality, and the welfare of his people laid the foundation for a sovereign Bangladesh. His dedication towards establishing a democratic form of governance is still inspiring generations, and embodying the ideals of courage and patriotism. We all are familiar with this image of Mujib, which was being portrayed to us in our textbooks for more than a decade. But a vastly contrasting image of this very individual can be observed in the books of his close associates and other famous politicians of his era. While he is widely revered, some have questioned whether his leadership truly embodied the ideals of a democratic and just society.
Every year, August 15 was observed as ‘National Mourning Day” during the regime of Sheikh Hasina to commemorate the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. So, it's natural to assume that the morale of the majority of the general populace was expectedly low in the event of the death of their beloved leader. But, the reality was completely contrary to what one may imagine. However, according to CBC news reports of the public reaction to his death in 1975 reveal a different perspective, with some accounts indicating a lack of widespread mourning. In fact, there were reports indicating people rejoicing in the streets of Dhaka.
It would be fair to assume, Sheikh Mujib portrayed contradicting personas before and after the liberation war. Mujib was alleged to have adopted an authoritarian leadership style, which resulted in the restriction of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, for the populace. This approach also appears to have influenced his daughter's leadership style.
There were concerns about favoritism and nepotism in appointments to the highest ranks in the military and other armed forces during Sheikh Mujib's time, raising questions about fair governance and effective administration. This malpractice contributed to the crippling of the economy, as rampant corruption thrived, largely perpetuated by his favoured people. Such favouritism eventually reached such extremes that even his closest allies, such as MAG Osmani and Tajuddin Ahmed, who played a pivotal role in the War of Liberation, were compelled to resign. Tajuddin Ahmed's daughter, in her book 'Neta O Pita,' recounts several instances of Ahmed's growing disillusionment with the then administration. Once in deep frustration, Ahmed remarked that they didn’t strive for freedom for 24 years to end up like that. Another one of his close associates, Barrister Abdul Halim referred to Mujib as a ‘drunk driver’ in the car named ‘democracy’. Such instances of authoritarian bureaucracy, fuelled by mismanagement and corruption, were one of the pivotal forces driving the country towards the catastrophic famine of 1974, where the unofficial death toll crossed a million. This period of profound crisis is hauntingly memorialised in Rafiq Azad's acclaimed poem, 'Bhat De Haramjada Naile Manchitro Khabo,' which eloquently embodies the intense anger and frustration of a populace betrayed by its leadership.
The enactment of the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahinee Act on February 8, 1972, was a significant development in the evolving political landscape of that time. The Rakkhi Bahinee, a paramilitary force ostensibly created for "national security," was accused of targeting members of the opposition, especially the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). This controversial legislation effectively sanctioned the arming of Awami League cadres, undermining national interests and provoking discontent among the higher-ups in the military.
Renowned Bangladeshi historiographer Mohiuddin Ahmed, in his book "The Rise and Fall of JSD", levelled accusations against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, asserting that he had engaged in electoral malpractices during the inaugural general election of Bangladesh in 1973. Despite the fact that Mujib would have undoubtedly emerged victorious through legitimate means, Ahmed alleged that the revered leader had sought to secure all 300 seats in the legislative body through dubious means. Furthermore, the historiographer documented instances of ballot box tampering by Mujib's son Sheikh Kamal during the electoral contest. Kamal was also accused of abducting the managing editor of the then journal ‘Jonokontho’, which persistently engaged in constructive critique of the government's policies and conduct.
The establishment of BAKSAL (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) by Mujib in 1975 was a principal factor leading to his demise. This notorious consolidation marked the official entrenchment of his authoritarian regime, which had been evident from the outset. Additionally, Mujib labelled eight army officials, including Major Dalim, as 'threats to the state'—a move designed to protect his party and obscure the fact that Dalim and his wife had been kidnapped by his close associate, Gazi Golam Mostafa. Consequently, when the situation escalated beyond control, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his entire family were brutally assassinated by a group of army officials led by Khandaker Mostaque Ahmed on August 15, 1975. This event signalled the abrupt end of Mujib's dictatorship, which had lasted a mere three years. Following this tragic event, Abdul Malek Ukil, the then Speaker of the Mujib-led Parliament, who had frequently offered sycophantic praise to Mujib, expressed a sense of relief, stating that the nation had been liberated from the grasp of a 'Firaun'.
This analysis thereby offers a glimpse into the more complex aspects of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s legacy, acknowledging that the full extent of his actions cannot be comprehensively covered in a single discussion. Undeniably, Mujib's role in the Liberation War was remarkable. However, under the governance of his daughter, educational narratives have often presented a distorted portrayal of Mujib, overshadowing the contributions of other significant leaders of the Liberation War, such as Ziaur Rahman, MAG Osmani, and Taj Uddin Ahmed. The designation 'Father of the Nation' appears increasingly anachronistic within the context of contemporary politics, as the creation of a nation is a collective effort rather than the achievement of a single individual. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine whether Sheikh Mujibur Rahman merits the title 'Bangabandhu.'
If you want to dive more deeply into the matter, then the following resources mentioned below will help you a lot!
Resources : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xGrFuB22KtfxoUawAR5F8leFOqTIRxGB?fbclid=IwY2xjawEi6GtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbglLhkGsBTXWCqp7setvS3tQNjA1JZXnYXW772g29lTCFiAsLvXf3nKvA_aem_Y7hwm4_sC3HzH4DscgyVZw
