Liberation war would've prolonged unless Mujibnagar Govt was formed

If the Mujibnagar government was not formed in April 10 and subsequently installed on April 17, 1971, the War of Liberation would have been prolonged due to lack of coordination and other political complexities. AKM Mozammel Haque, Minister for Liberation War Affairs said this in a virtual talk show organised by The Bangladesh News on Saturday.

On the occasion of Mujibnagar Day, The Bangladesh News organised the weekly talkshow titled 'TBN Facts Finding', jointly with Radio Amar 88.4fm.

The minister spoke at the show as the chief guest. Former Vice Chancellor of the Dhaka University and currently Chairman, Managing Board of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) AAMS Arefin Siddiqui spoke as main speaker, while Bangladesh News Editor Azizul Islam Bhuiyan delivered welcome address. Golam Shahnee, Executive Editor of the Bangladesh News moderated the talkshow.

AKM Mozammel Haque said that on March 26, 1971, Bangladeshis fought the War of Liberation and liberated the country with the directives of Bangabandhu.

He said Bangabandhu started his journey of independence on January 4, 1948 by establishing Bangladesh Chatra League. Through the establishment of Chhatra League, he conveyed the spirit of liberation war to the people through the language movement of 1952, the united front movement of 1954, the anti-riot movement of 1964, and the 6-point movement of 1966.

The minister said that even after Bangabandhu's victory in the 1970 elections, the Pakistani ruling party did not handover the state power. On March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu delivered the final order, saying, "If I cannot give any further order, you will deal with the enemy with whatever you have." Even then, he was fortunate enough to be able to clearly declare independence on March 26, 1971. Followed by this declaration, Bangabandhu’s  fellow colleagues formed the Mujibnagar Government on April 10, 1971. All people's representatives who were elected in 1970 took oath on April 17, 1971 at Agartala in Mujibnagar, regarded as exile capital of Bangladesh. We have fought for 9 months under this government.

Referring to Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, he said that the then 7 crore people of the country could understand through Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra that our country was becoming independent.

"We are lucky because people from different parts of the world have fought for independence for 10 years, 20 years, but we have been able to liberate our country from the enemy in just nine months," he said.

"I think if the government had not been installed on April 17, 1971, the war of liberation would not have taken place as planned but would have been sporadic and prolonged due to lack of coordination."

The way Bangabandhu united the whole nation and the way he instructed his colleagues, I think they did it very successfully by forming the government on April 17, 1971 and later they wrote the constitution under the direction of Bangabandhu. But our misfortune is that we have got Bangabandhu in power for only three-and-a-half years. BNP and Jatiya Party together took the country into darkness for 30 years. The achievements of Bangladesh in the last 50 years have been attained only during the twenty-and-a-half years of the Awami League government.

Today, Bangladesh is not only a self-sufficient state. Bangladesh is a role model in the world. Some organizations like Hefazat cannot tolerate this. You have seen that they have carried out various acts of violence all over the country. Now is the time for us to resist them.

He thanked Bangladesh News for organizing such talk show to make it known to the general public.

Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University AASM Arefin Siddiqui said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned home on January 10, 1972 and expressed solidarity with the Mujibnagar government.

He further said that in his speech after the drafting of the constitution of Bangladesh at Racecourse Maidan on December 16, 1972, Bangabandhu said that if the people of an independent country do not have a constitution then that nation cannot live as a dignified nation. During the long colonial period of Pakistan, we did not get any proper constitution. It is a matter of pride for all of us that Bangladesh has achieved full independence one year after its victory today. From today, the people of this country own this republic.

Arefin Siddiqui said, “Bangabandhu said in the midst of many words that the Pakistani colonial laws of Dhaka University and other universities are repealed from today." With this, Bangabandhu repealed all the colonial laws of Bangladesh. ”

For expansion of education of an independent nation, Bangabandhu promulgated 'Dhaka University Ordinance, 1973, he mentioned.