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INTERVIEW WITH TAJUDDIN AHMED

'It is the duty of patriotic political parties to lead the nation in the right direction'
(This interview was published in reporting format. It is translated verbatim.)
MR. Tajuddin Ahmed had said: "In the present condition it is the historical duty of all the patriotic political parties to lead the country in the right direction to achieve our desired goal.’
On the eve of the first anniversary of Independence the then prime minister of People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr Tajuddin Ahmed said this in a special interview session with journalists on Tuesday (December 12,1972). Against the background of the liberation struggle he answered different queries by journalists.
Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed said that we had to seek support from socialist countries to establish socialism. A truly socialist state could not be established with the help of imperialist and capitalist countries.
He added further that we had to be aware and cautious so that the US could not establish a base in Bangladesh after their humiliating defeat in Vietnam.
He also added that there was nothing in the constitution that stood in the way of socialism, rather it had provided certain directions towards that goal. It was not possible to establish democracy with a nineteenth century mindset. In our democracy we must have the support of people who believe in socialism.
The prime minister of Mujibnagar government also said that we could never deny the role of the valiant youths in our liberation struggle. The
government was preparing a plan to employ these youths in building the country. After election, it would take effective measures to realise that plan.
He expressed with sorrow that we could not employ these youths successfully in our nation building. That's why they had gone wayward to some extent. An evil intent to snatch away others' money and assets rather than earning it had developed in them. It was very harmful for the country. If the youths got corrupted we would not have the necessary cadres for nation building. They had to be made politically conscious and motivated. To do that, we needed to establish mutual trust.
Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed said that though the current situation seemed relatively discouraging we should not be upset. Adoption of the constitution would bring stability.
In this press meeting, Mr. Tajuddin proclaimed confidently that the movement for 'Muslim Bangla' would not gain ground in our country. But we had to be aware of its risks. During the Pakistan period, communalism had been provoked in the name of Islam. Now they were playing with the same strategy in the name of'Muslim Bengal.' We had to confront it politically.
When requested to shed some light on the armed liberation struggle, Mr. Tajuddin Ahmed said that it was very difficult to write on recent history and publish it because it could create conflict among living persons who were involved in those events. It could even affect our national interest.
He said that, for the sake of national interest, he would not lie but would
keep quiet about it
He also said that there had been clear indication of independence of Bangladesh and possible guerrilla warfare in the historic speech of March 7. In the preceding few days before March 25, ambassadors from at least 40 countries had met me. I had already been aware of America 's attitude towards Bangladesh. As far as I remember, I had heard the declaration of independence by Major Ziaur Rahman on March 26 at around 2 pm. At that time I was in Faridpur at Mr. Imamuddin's residence. Personally, I did not have any involvement with that declaration.
Tajuddin Ahmed also said that Yahya Khan had made gross mistakes at the very beginning by attacking EPR, East Bengal Regiment and civil administration. Generally, no colonial force attacks its sister services. On the other hand, being called upon by Bangabandhu, we had succeeded in uniting the nation through nonviolent non- cooperation movement of March. On March 25,1971 Yahya made a mistake by attacking this united nation. Basically, on that very night, we gained our first victory in the liberation struggle.
He said that due to the attack on the civil administration it had been possible for us to unite at Mujibnagar, evading the attack. Even before March 25,1 had in my hand the secret message sent by Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan to Lt. Gen. Pirzada, who was military adviser to Yahya Khan. I had shown it to Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed said I had never imagined that a general activist like
me would have to shoulder the historic duty of the nation. Possibly, our countrymen had never imagined that. In reality, the leadership was a reflection of the yearnings of the people. We founded the People's Republic of Bangladesh Government with the attitude of not joining the capitalist block or any war alliance. It was a great step in the diplomatic front of the liberation struggle.
He told the journalists that Pakistan had tried to divide the exiled government through its friends. But could not succeed. The US government had
also tried in many ways to destroy our liberation struggle. At some stage of our struggle, the US had raised the question, “whether we wanted liberation or Mujib?’ In reply I had said that “we wanted both liberation and Mujib. We can get Mujib only after getting liberation.” Because I had the feeling that the liberation struggle would be strengthened only if we could keep Sheikh Mujib alive in our hearts and minds. And only through that, it might possible to keep Bangabandhu alive. For long 27 years I had been in politics with
Bangabandhu. I knew him deeply.
He said that China had helped Pakistan in the war, though strategically. We had sent a telegram to Chinese leaders through Maulana Bhasani to get their support for Bangladesh. But we did not receive any reply. He expressed with sorrow that Maulana Bhasani was now propagating wrong information.
(This Interview was first published In December 13, 1972 on the front page of Dalnlk Bangla.)
Translated by Shamsuddoza Sajen, Senior Editorial Assistant at 77ie Dally Star.