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A Footstep Completed the Independence

Swadesh Roy
Bangladesh achieved its victory through a long blood-spattered way on 16 December 1971 but then the world's eyes were on a Jail of Pakistan because, a prisoner in the Pakistan jail was the hope, wishes of 75 million people along with the fulfillment of the newly born country’s independence. It was the first time of the world that, a head of the state of a newly born country was a prisoner of his enemy-country. It was the first time in the world, a leader who took the leadership of his newly government returning from the jail of enemy.
Pakistan was the enemy of the newly born Bangladesh but they were bound to release him under the pressure of the world community. The then President of Pakistan Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto could understand that he had no way without releasing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation and the President of Bangladesh. A petite hope was in his mind that if he could play any game to take Sheikh Mujib but after taking power shortly, he understood, his first task was to bring Sheikh Mujib from Jail to the prestigious guest house, and he did it. At a UN press conference on 22 December 1971 the then Indian Foreign Minister Sardar Swaran Shingh told, “I have seen a press report that Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman is being released from prison and being moved to a house. Perhaps his physical comfort might improve, but unless he is released, it is immaterial whether he is in a jail or a house, it is the time that he should be released and come back to his people." In that press conference at UN, the answer of Mr. Shing and the questions of the journalists proved some important issues. One, Mr. Shing’s some words expressed that India along with the world community was creating heavy pressure on Pakistan to release Bangabandhu. Second, India along with world community understood that, Sheikh Mujib was the only person who could put together the new country and led his people. Third, the press conference made it clear that Bangladesh had achieved the victory on 16 December, it was on 22 December but nobody was thinking that without Sheikh Mujib it was not possible to fulfill the independence of Bangladesh and to lead 75 million people properly. He was the only leader who was able to lead the new nation and build up an independent country.
After the victory, for establishing an independent country two things were urgently needed then. One was the
reorganization of the country as soon as possible and the other was withdrawal of Indian troops. But before the release of Shiekh Mujibur Rahman the world thought that it was only possible by the leadership of Shiekh Mujibur Rahman. So, the world renowned newspaper, The New York Times wrote an editorial on third January 1972 - “Bangladesh urgently needs Sheikh Mujib’s leadership to unify its people for urgent task of rehabilitation, reconstruction and building the nation. India needs Mujib even more desperately to forestall a growing threat of anarchy and extremism in this new border state and promote the conditions that will facilitate the speedy return of the refugees to Bangladesh and withdrawal of Indian troops.” Bangabandhu, the Father of the Nation returned home on 10 January 1972.
It is the part of the history that, Bangabandhu made possible the speedy return of the refugees. In our country, many of the researchers worked on freedom struggle but nobody did work on the refugee though within ten million refugee seven million was minority who were forced to go back to India not only by the torture of Pakistani army but also by the torture of Razakers and Albadars. Those Razakers and Albadars were their neighbors. So they were hurt physically and were suffering from mistrust. Returning of Bangabandhu gave them confidence. In addition, they believed that, Bangabandhu would give them security and he would trial them who had tortured them and killed their family members. Besides, after getting freedom there was an urgent need of building the nation first. Bangbandhu started it but after his sad demise it was stopped. Besides, the counter revolutionary or military government tried to confuse the nation regarding our nationality. They also tried to destroy the bond which was required to make our nation.
The writer is the Executive Editor, The Daily Janakantha.