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A Commentary by Sabir Mustafa
Dhaka Radio broke Its sl-k-ncc at 8 30 am on March 8. 197) by broadcasting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech delivered the previous day lo a massive gathering at the Race Course Ground
The radio was supposed to have broadcast ft live, but could not do so as the martial law authorities clamped a ban on It. In protest, all Bengalee members of staff walked off, and stayed off until they were abk lo carry out their promise lo the people by transmitting the speech
The movement In the street in support of Mujib's call for non-violent, civil disobedience received a major boost with the arrival In Dhaka of Mau Iona Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani from Santosh In Tangafl.
The flcry leader, whose political stature and popularity stood way above that enjoyed by the National Awami Party he led. was scheduled to give a speech nt the Pallan Maidan the next day
Tension in the dty was already beginning to mount with lite arrival In Dhaka the previous evening of Lt Gen Tikka Khan, belter known as the Butcher of Baluchistan for his brutal suppression of the Baluchi people's struggle for freedom In 1965.
Tikka Khan replaced Lt Gen Shahlbzada Yaqub Khan as governor and Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Nlazl was ap-
pointed deputy martial law administrator of East Pakistan
Apparently. Yaqub Khan was removed for his "softness" In handling the crisis In East Pakistan. That softness included the killing of hundreds of unarmed Bangatees by the Pakistan army in the streets of Dhaka. Chittagong. Rangpur. Tonei. Rajshahl . Jessorc and many other places.
The military aulhorttles, however, tried to shift all the blame for the killings on to what they called "rioters"
In a statement issued lo the press late In the night of March 7. the martial law ad mintstrators said that 172 people had been killed and 358 injured in "riots". Including 78 deaths in Chittagong alone.
The press note did not mention anything about the hundreds of people fighting for their Hvcs at various hospitals Including the Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being shot or bayonetted by troops and police. IX-spttc the mounting brutality. Yaqub Khan wan not considered lough enough, and the Butcher of Ikiluchislan was sent lo carry oul his speciality job lo "save Pakistan "
Following Mujib's outline of the civil disobedience movement at the Rat Courw rally, and declaration that "the struggle this Hmc 1s for our freedom, the struggle this time Is for our independence." Activists of poll!kill parties
across the broad spectrum, save for the few fanatically pro Pakistani ones at Ihe extreme right-wing who were routed at baHot box three months ago began organising their forces for the challenge ahead.
Student wings of parties or-ga nixed volunteer brigades, not only lo keep up ihe momentum of the movement, but also to maintain peace and discipline In the city: women sto-dents took to the streets and would soon start getting paramilitary training, albeit with dummy weapons: and streets remained vibrant with the sound of a million footsteps and thunderous sto*ins.
Political parties and sorial organisations which had not seen cye-to - eye lo with the Awami League only a month ago. Instantly responded to Bangabandhu s call and rallied behind hint.
Mujib was no longer simply the president of the biggest Kllltcal party tn the country.
I the true k-adcr of the nation. the nucleus of ihe movcmcnl. And the movement. after a week of agitation, had become a national one.