(Continuation from yesterday)
His genuine love for the country and the countrymen gave him courage, strength and hope to live in. The blessing, benediction and prayer of the people for him, above all, the kindness of Allah saved him from the hands of the barbaric Pak Army. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India took vigorous steps and wrote letters to 67 governments of the important countries with a request to put pressure on Pakistan government to stop the trial of travesty, save his life and release him from captivity of Pakistan. Again Indira Gandhi personally met the governments of 5 European countries and the government of the USA and worked hard in order to create the situation in favour of Bangladesh. By this time international pressure in order to release him mounted on Pak Army to such a great extent that at one stage the Pak Army was compelled to release him on 8 January, 1972. Bangabandhu returned home on 10 January, 1972. He was given a warm, great, enthusiastic and rousing reception in Dhaka.
On 12 January 1972, Bangabandhu became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In the middle of 1972, students of Dhaka University launched movements in demand of having educational degrees at BA, Bsc, Bcom levels without appearing at the examinations. Their arguments were that they could not study or take preparation during nine months. The students shut down the doors of the office room of the then vice-chancellor, and the doors of the rooms of some of the then professors and imposed the condition that they would not allow the vice-chancellor and other teachers concerned go out until the university authorities fulfilled their demands. On hearing the incident, Bangabandhu started from his office and came in front of the room of the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University within ten minutes. When the students came to know the arrival of the Bangabandhu, they became speechless in reverence and devotion.
Then and then the students opened the doors and deep silence prevailed over there in the campus of the university. About four or five thousand students became quiet. The Bangabandhu said to the teachers, “Sir, come out and go home. Have your lunch and take rest there” This fearless leader whose head is held ever high managed to send them home and then he left the university.
On another occasion in one afternoon, the vehicle that carried the Prime Minister came to a halt near the Dhaka University. Then the Prime Minister himself got out of the vehicle and walked to a tree-- a little distance away. Near the tree two students-- a boy and a girl were having a chat sitting together. The Bangabandhu approached them and said, “Hey, girl!, now you are supposed to be at home to help your mother in her household work. And also you are supposed to bring a napkin and a pot filled with water for ablution of your father who will return home tiredly from office. But instead, (without performing all those things) what are you doing here? Go, and go home now.” The girl felt ashamed and left the place as fast as she could. Then the turn of Bangabandhu came for the boy and he said to the boy, “In the afternoon, you are supposed to play on the field to maintain and improve your health. But without doing this, you are having a chat here? Your mother wears rent sari, father uses torn lungi, and they send you money in the hope that you will acquire education and will be a qualified man and then will alleviate their misery and eliminate their poverty. Have you forgotten the responsibility? As a reasonable person if you evade your responsibility, then by whom shall I build up the country?” Then Bangabandhu left the place. It is possible only for a leader of great heart and broad mentality.
However, after some years, on 25 January 1975 the country switched over to the presidential system of governance and Bangabandhu became the president of the country.
The independence that we enjoy now is the result or consequence of the bold, brave and courageous activities organized and undertaken by the leadership of Bangabandhu. That is why Bangabandhu is called the “Father of the Nation.”
Bangabandhu did his best for the country and the countrymen. He took various measures for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country. When he was heading and leading the country to the development, a group of derailed and defected members of the armed forces on the night of 15th August, 1975 killed him along with the other members of his family. Thus, Bangabandhu embraced martyrdom. This brutal killing has caused irreparable loss, and has lowered and tarnished the image of Bangladesh. Now, in his absence, the whole nation is mournful. However, Bangabandhu will remain vivid in the mind of people for ever. In the words of poet Annadashankar Ray:
“As long as the Padma Jamuna Gouri Meghna remain flowing,
Marks of your deeds will remain glowing,
Oh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Let us pray to God for the eternal peace and salvation of his departed soul and the souls of other members of his family.
The writer is a former Joint Secretary to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and regular
contributor to Bangladesh Post.
