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Bangabandhu in the eyes of an enemy

NAZRUL ISLAM
THERE is no dearth of people, including politicians and so-called literateurs, to impugn the character of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and deny his contribution in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh. A section of people claims that Sheikh Mujib had not done anything for the liberation of Bangladesh, but rather, fled the country on the night of March 25, 1971, deserting the common people. Some even demand trial of Mujib for the genocide committed by the Pakistani occupation forces. They try to bring the late President Ziaur Rahman into the limelight and make him the hero of the Liberation War.
Was there any contribution of Sheikh Mujib to our liberation struggle? This is an endless debate between two sections of people divided on political lines. Let us see an enemy's statement about him after more than 25 years after the Liberation War.
There was no doubt that General AAK Niazi was one of topmost enemies of Bangladesh as well as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Niazi had no reason to conceal the misdeeds (in the eyes of Pakistani rulers in 1971) of Sheikh Mujib or other leaders in Bangladesh.
General Niazi, the Commander of Eastern Command and Martial Law Administrator of the then East Pakistan), wrote a book titled The Betrayal of East Pakistan where he briefly narrated the roles played by various leaders to break Pakistan into two pieces.
Niazi in his book divulged the names of enemies of Pakistan i.e. those who overtly and covertly made contributions to the birth of Bangladesh. Surprisingly, he mentioned a single name -- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- as the enemy of Pakistani from the East although Mujib was in a Pakistani jail during the War of Liberation.
Historians say that the seed of independence was implanted in the six-point demands of the Awami League formulated in 1966. What was the assessment of the Pakistani rulers about six-point demands?
Niazi wrote: "President Ayub Khan called a Round Table to which all prominent political figures, including Mujib and Bhutto, were invited. Mujib was adamant in his six-point demands. Despite friendly persuasions by other politicians, he was not to be moved. Ayub Khan contended that the six-point meant confederation and not federation and would subsequently lead to the division of Pakistan."
As Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started a campaign across the country on six-point demands and people's response was unprecedented, the Pakistani rulers repeatedly sent him to jail. Finally, the Ayub junta threw Mujib in jail in 1968, implicating him and 34 others in Agartala Conspiracy case. But was it a conspiracy case?
As Niazi wrote: "Sheikh Mujib carried out overt and covert activities to meet his objectives. In 1966 the Agartala conspiracy was unearthed. Sheikh Mujib, in connivance with civil and junior military officers, had conspired with Indian agencies to bring about a revolt in East Pakistan. The Agartala Conspiracy was not a fabricated story created to implicate Sheikh Mujib."
After the overwhelming victory in the general elections in 1970, President Yahya convened parliament session in Dhaka on March 3, 1971. But realising Mujib's obstinate stance for his six-point demands, Yahya called off the session triggering violent protests in the then East Pakistan. Mujib called for a non-cooperation movement across the country paralysing all administrative functions.
As the situation was turning grave, Yahya along with other leaders of West Pakistan came to Dhaka on March 15 for talks with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the talks continued until March 25.
Many of Mujib's critics blamed him for appeasing Yahya Khan before the crackdown by the Pakistani army on the night of March 25. But what were the views of a patriotic Pakistani?
Niazi wrote: "Mujib was defiant, Bhutto power-hungry. Yahiya tried to appease Mujib by acclaiming him future Prime Minister. Mujib was not swayed by empty words. He was not ready to accommodate Yahya, who was aspiring to stay on as president of Pakistan."
Many vested quarters today debate the declaration of war. In fact the liberation war had started much before March 26. After March 3, 1971, Sheikh Mujib had become the functional head of the government. Instructions were issued from his Dhanmondi residence for running the day-to-day work of the government.
"In the beginning of March, Mujib announced his plan to run a parallel government in defiance of Marshal Law," wrote Niazi. "The pressure against Armed forces continued to be built-up. The Awami League put into effect their plans spelt out as under:
Denial of all logistic support to the armed forces Disruption of all troops movements Disruption of water and power supplies to all cantonments Stopping all civilians employees from working for the armed forces Mujib declared (probably he referred to the Bangabandhu's speech of March 7): Pakistan as it stands is finished. There is no longer any hope of a settlement. I will break them and bring them to their knees. It was clear that Bangladesh had come into existence. Mujib had become the de facto ruler and his home had turned into the presidency. Orders from the central government were defied."
After the March 7 address of Sheikh Mujib, preparation of war against Pakistan forces started. Life in the entire East Pakistan came to a standstill. Student leaders had already made flag of Bangladesh and were hoisting it in various educational institutions and the house of Sheikh Mujib.
March 23 was the National Day of Pakistan. The day was observed as "resistance day" and none, even the state-run TV and some foreign missions, did hoist Pakistani flags in then East Pakistan.
Naiza wrote: "On 23 March, resistance day was observed in East Pakistan. The flag of Bangladesh was flown on Mujib's house. The British Deputy High Commission and Soviet Consulate also hoisted Bangladesh flags. Col. Osmani was appointed by Mujib as the overall commander of operation."
Niazi also praised the leadership quality of Mujib: "Mujib was an accomplished politician and an orator par excellence who could arose the masses by his emotional speeches."
It has again been proved through changing the documents of liberation war that as a nation we are very small-minded. A nation having such mindset can't get respect from others. Everybody should give due respect to the national heroes. It's crucial for our national unity and prosperity.
Nazrul Islam is a journalist and environmentalist.