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Bangabandhu's legacy today

UTSHA RAHMAN AND ASHUTOSH CAESAR
971. In a mukti camp, some freedom fighters were asked: "Why are you fighting?" Someone answers: "We are fighting for the freedom of the motherland." Someone says: "Rhe Pak soldiers had destroyed all they had own, they wanted to take revenge. Someone else: "We are fighting in response to situational demand." One brave young man speaks up: "We are holding arms for Sheikh Mujib." (Samayer Proyojone, Shaheed Zahir Raihan, translated by the writers).
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the West Pakistan leader had warned the military junta not to kill Mujib, as that would be more dangerous and the Bangalees would be more fearless. But was this true? Today's youth may talk in this way, as meanwhile thirty-four years have passed and a lot of changes have occurred in our life, politics, and society. But today we may never truly understand those dramatic days so long ago.
Mukammel Reza Chowdhury, who has been working in banking for two years, says that he had never involved himself with politics and in fact has never been interested to do so. But while he read the newspapers on the issues of our independence, he became astonished, how could a man influence a whole nation! Mukammel expressed his feelings in a small gathering, which was organised last Thursday and where some univer-
sity students, young writers, and professionals were present.
The coordinator of the session asked not to turn the discussion to a political debate, Tamim, a student of Dhaka University didn't agree: "It is not possible nowadays. You should consider that we are living in a society which is divided into Awami League and BNP. In 1994 when I was in class four, I didn't find much on Bangabandhu in my textbooks. But after three years I learnt a lot about him, when Awami League was in state power. So, how could you expect from us that we would know him properly or pay him the respect he deserved." Shamim, a CA student supported him, and in addition said that the man who had spent most of his political life in jail, how could we separate him from politics!
Ibrahim, a student of MBA at Dhaka University pointed out the rhythm of Bangabandhu's March 7 speech and said: "In our recent history, no leader came with such courage. It is the state's failure that we couldn't execute the verdict of Bangabandhu's cruel murder. I would like to blame both parties and the governments and definitely feel shame for this. It is unfortunate that he was not placed with proper respect, even when Awami League was in power."
Masrur Elahi Shakil, a Dhaka University student said: "I have no doubt or question on the role of Sheikh Muzib up to independence. But definitely it should be men-
tioned that he introduced Baksal, the one-party system and thus democracy was at a loss. I was born in the mid-eighties and started understanding politics since 1999. I think that Awami League, his own party, centralised the image of Sheikh Mujib."
Shihan, another student of Dhaka University didn't agree with his friend Shakil. Rather he pointed out that as a ruler Bangabandhu got only a few years and that he had had to emphasise huge infrastructure development, though the total government budget was far lower than today. He had sent back the Indian Army within the least possible time. Shakil, who didn't use the name "Bangabandhu" while speaking, rejoined that Bangladesh became a member of OIC during his regime.
Md. Zakaria, who is working for a private business unit, said that we are really fortunate that we got such leader like Bangabandhu, who had a soft heart for Bangalees and believed until his death that his own people would not do any harm to him. He lived a very simple life, which we do not find anymore to our present political leaders.
Tomal, another student of Dhaka University said: "How many of us know that Bangabandhu sacrificed his studentship of Dhaka University for supporting movement of the 4th class employees of the institution. It is unfortunate for the nation that our two main political parties have polluted our history. It is not our fault that we do not know much of our
history."
Tushar, another student of the same institution differed with him: "Why don't you take initiative on your own, when you realise that the state is not in a position to inform you on the issue," he argued.
"When Bangabandhu came to people with his six-point demand in 1966, he placed himself higher than any other leaders," Tomal continued.
"Oh yes! Definitely he took that position. One may differ with his politics, but there is no doubt that he led the agenda until independence and obviously he is the founder of our state, father of the nation, he deserves that position,' Tamim said.
When someone mentioned Zia's proclamation of independence on March 27, 1971, one of those present asked for recognition of that. Coordinator of the session, Ashutosh Caesar asked: "Are you talking about negotiation of current history-debate?"
Zakaria said: "Zia played a significant role on March 27, whether willing or not, but he did it despite the fear of court martial. At the same time our history had not started on that day."
Zahid Hossain, a senior reporter of a daily reacted that our present political parties are interested only in achieving their political agenda. To achieve that, they could easily manipulate anything, manaipulating history is nothing for them. Though Bangabandhu was a leader of a political organisation, but through his life-long struggles
and movement for the Bangalees, he holds a different position, which is undoubtedly higher than others. So, his name and achievements should be treated as a national matter.
"Perhaps the state didn't take enough steps for proper recognition of such a great patriotic leader, perhaps Awami League also was not able to change the scenario that continued for 21 long years before they were in power last time, maybe he is victimised by our politicians, army, or civil bureaucrats, who ran the state mechanism after 1975 until then. But isn't he remembered by the masses as the founder of the nation?"
Foyez Reza, sub-editor of a monthly magazine said: "The history may be kept manipulated for some years, but one could not do it forever. People will remember Bangabandhu as long as Bangladesh will remain in the globe with its identity, as he and Bangladesh cannot be separated."
The session ended with no conclusion. The participants melted away, still arguing and discussing. Many still had lots of questions that had not been answered. But none of them had any questions about his patriotism and sacrifice which had turned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into Bangabandhu and the Father of the Nation.
The authors are freelance contriubtors to The Daily Star.