Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Introduction to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder and the first president of Bangladesh, a South Asian country that emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after a bloody war of liberation from Pakistan.

Early Life and Inspiration

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born in Tungipara, a village in the Faridpur district of Bengal, then part of British India. Mahatma Gandhi’s nationalist movement inspired him to join the All-India Muslim League, a party advocating for a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. As an active student leader, he participated in various anti-British protests and campaigns, which resulted in his arrest several times.

Political Career in East Pakistan

After the partition of India in 1947, Sheikh Mujib chose to stay in East Bengal, which became East Pakistan, a province of the newly created Islamic state of Pakistan. He soon accused the Pakistani government of discriminating against and exploiting the Bengali people, who constituted a majority of East Pakistan. He joined the Awami League, founded in 1949, and rose to prominence as the general secretary of the party before becoming its president in 1966.

The Six-Point Program and Challenges

Sheikh Mujib launched a six-point program advocating for full provincial autonomy for East Pakistan, including control over its economy, taxation, defense, and foreign policy. He also demanded a federal system with a weak central government and a parliamentary democracy with direct elections. This program was seen as a challenge to the military dictatorship of General Ayub Khan, who had ruled Pakistan since 1958. Sheikh Mujib was arrested and tried for treason in 1968 but was released after a mass uprising in 1969.

The 1970 General Election and Rising Tensions

In 1970, Pakistan held its first-ever general elections, with the Awami League securing 167 out of the 169 seats in East Pakistan. However, the Pakistani military refused to accept the election results and did not transfer power to Sheikh Mujib.

Call for Liberation

A year later, Sheikh Mujib addressed a massive rally in Dhaka and initiated a non-cooperation movement. He asked his supporters to prepare for a war of liberation. Shortly after, the Pakistani Army launched a brutal crackdown on the Bengali population and arrested Sheikh Mujib. The next day, Bengali military officers and politicians declared the independence of Bangladesh, naming Sheikh Mujib as its president.

The War of Liberation

The war of liberation lasted for nine months. During the war, the Indian Army intervened to support Bangladesh, resulting in Pakistan’s surrender. Sheikh Mujib was released from prison in Pakistan and returned to Bangladesh in 1972, where he was greeted by millions of grateful citizens.

Challenges of Rebuilding a Nation

Sheikh Mujib took office and formed a coalition government with other political parties. He faced numerous challenges in rebuilding a war-torn country, including restoring law and order, reviving the economy, establishing diplomatic relations with other nations, and drafting a constitution.

The Constitution of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh constitution came into effect in 1972, proclaiming the country as a secular, democratic, and socialist republic.

Controversies During His Rule

Sheikh Mujib’s rule soon became controversial due to factors such as corruption, nepotism, bureaucracy, inflation, famine, and political violence. He faced several assassination attempts. In 1975, he amended the constitution to abolish the parliamentary system, becoming the president of Bangladesh and the chairman of BAKSAL, a one-party system merging all existing political parties.

The Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Sheikh Mujib’s reign came to a tragic end in 1975 when most of his family members were assassinated by a group of junior army officers at his residence in Dhaka. His two daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, survived as they were abroad. His death led to political unrest and instability in Bangladesh.