Yesterday was Bangabandhu’s homecoming day. It is a significant day. After being imprisoned in Pakistan, he returned to independent Bangladesh on January 10, 1972 via London and New Delhi. On the night of March 25, 1971 i.e. March 26, Bangabandhu officially declared independence through wireless. In this announcement, he called upon the people from all walks of life to sincerely participate in the country’s liberation war. Soon after, the Pakistan Army arrested Bangabandhu from his residence in Dhanmondi. Under his indomitable leadership, the Bengali nation achieved the final victory in 1971 through the 9-month liberation war. The defeated Pakistani rulers were finally forced to release Bangabandhu from prison. Through his release, the Bengali victory was complete.
Bangabandhu’s homecoming is essentially the fulfillment of Bangladesh’s independence. If he had not returned to the country on January 10, 1972, if the Pakistani military junta had killed him, then we would not have Bangladesh today. Although Bangladesh became independent on December 16, there was a feeling of worry and sadness in people’s minds. Apart from this, the physical presence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inevitable to keep the nation united through the reconstruction of a war-torn country and the creation of an administrative structure. How much Bangabandhu’s presence was needed on that day cannot be felt sitting at the present time. From December 16 to January 10 there was an anarchy-like situation for 25 days. It is doubtful whether the freedom fighters would have laid down their arms if he had not come. The Indian soldiers might not have turned back so quickly. It was necessary to gain speed to get recognition from many countries. From the day of his return, the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh became more consolidated. January 10 is actually the day when the freedom struggle of the Bengali nation was completed. On this day, the countrymen got back their beloved leader and enjoyed the full taste of victory. From this day, with the hand of Bangabandhu, independent and sovereign Bangladesh entered an enlightened journey of democracy.
While commemorating Tofail Ahmed, he mentioned in one of his writings, ‘Though on December 16, the dear country was free from enemies, we did not know where he is and how he is. On January 8, when I heard the news of Bangabandhu’s release, an indescribable joy filled the whole country. The joy of people is not to be expressed in words.
Along with his political foresight, the way he saw Bangabandhu’s sense of self-respect and the respect of his countrymen is rare in the history of the world. Judging history in terms of time. Today we can talk a lot. But the events of that day should be evaluated in the light of the circumstances of that time. Prominent economist and member of the First Planning Commission, Rehman Sobhan, evaluated that time and said, ‘Common people only thought that we became independent in the middle of a war. What are our thoughts? Everything will come within our reach. This thought was normal among the common people of the country. Because people’s love for Bangabandhu was intense. People thought he could do anything. In fact, in 1972, our economy was completely destroyed. Destruction of our infrastructure, destruction of roads, two big bridges Pakistan sabotaged. No cars move on the highway. There was nothing left to say about the communication system. But the main problem was the Pakistani business community, their control over the economy of East Bengal. They closed the business together and went to Pakistan. The mainly non-Bengali business community controlled the country’s economy during the Pakistan period, from within and outside East Bengal. The issues of economy control are all big factories, banks, insurance companies, trading, jute business were all in the hands of non-Bengalis. They suddenly wrapped up everything before December 16 and left. After the establishment of an independent sovereign country, very few countries experienced such a situation. There is no such precedent in history. Soon we were able to build something, that’s a lot. Then within three years will everything become a rose garden, it is not possible. All that has happened has been during challenging times. But many things have happened, it has been possible for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he worked day and night with the Planning Commission. His focus was on how to lay the foundation for a strong economy of the country. But he had more pressure with the donor, America has stopped food shipment to Bangladesh. At that time a food crisis comes from outside, so he has to handle everything. We were moving in such a situation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had to deal with various hostile situations in the country and outside the country. However, he maintained a personal relationship with all of them. ‘…If Bangabandhu had lived, the strong foundation of Bangladesh’s economy would have been built on the harvest of three and a half years of hardship (Banikarbarta, 10 January 2020).’
Bangabandhu took charge of the war-torn and newly independent Bangladesh and sowed the seeds of development. Under his dynamic leadership, Bangladesh began to achieve its dream of a ‘Golden Bangla’, a self-reliant economy as a way to achieve a prosperous and stable country. A self-reliant and prosperous country began then.
Five decades have passed since Bangabandhu’s return home. Since that time miscreants have repeatedly attacked the Bangabandhu family in a bid to destroy the independent sovereign democratic image of Bangladesh. But they did not succeed. They will not succeed. Bangladesh’s progress is unstoppable. As Bangladesh progresses, Bangabandhu’s dreams and achievements will become more relevant for our nation in the future.
Author: Professor, Department of Political Science, Rajshahi University
