DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY BANGABANDHU AND THE FALSEHOOD OF BNP-JAMAT
ALLIANCE
BNP-Jamat Alliance has recently come up with an unbelievable and baseless
claim that the then Major Zia proclaimed Independence of Bangladesh from
Chittagong on 25th March 1971. This is a new invention after 33 years of
independence which Zia himself did never claim in his lifetime. This is a
blatant lie and concocted story coming out of fertile brains of BNP-Jamat
leaders.
2. It is an universally accepted fact that the father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence on 26th March 1971 before
his arrest. In his speech broadcast in Radio & TV the Chief of Military
Junta General Yahya Khan accused Bangabandhu for this declaration. All
contemporary historical records, facts, documents, writings, statements and
sayings, both at home and abroad proved it beyond all doubts. For this
declaration Bangabandhu had not only to face farcical trial in jail but even a
grave was dug for him. Not only this, the diplomats & journalists of USA,
UK and other western countries based in Dhaka at that time have all mentioned
this declaration by Sheikh Mujib on 26th March 1971. Recently published CIA
(USA) report has clearly stated that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared
independence. Even the Pakistani army officers had heard this declaration
through BDR wireless (Ref. "Witness to Surrender" by Pakistani Army
officer Major Siddik Salek). To this effect he gave witness to Hamudur Rahman
commission constituted by Bhutto and this has been published in books and
reports. Besides some members of Certifying Committee of "Documents on the
war of Independence" published in 1982 by refuting the BNP-Jamat claim
have again unequivocally stated that the declaration of the Independence by
Sheikh Mujib was a proved document beyond any doubt. Most importantly after
independence of the country Ziaur Rahman himself in his article published in
the Weekly Bichitra mentioned that he joined the war of independence at the
call of Bangabandhu.
3. The undisputed truth of Declaration of war of Independence by
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the early hours of 26th March (i.e., 25th
March night- just before his arrest), 1971 was duly incorporated as historic
documentation at the beginning of the 3rd volume of the 15 volumes of
"Documents on the war of Independence." These were published through
a project in 1982 under the editorship of the famous Poet-cum-Journalist Late
Mr. Hasan Hafizur Rahman and under the supervision of a "Certifying
Committee" appointed during the Govt. of late Ziaur Rahman. On the basis
of this declaration, the People's Representatives formally adopted "The
Proclamation of Independence Order of Bangladesh" on 10th April, 1971.
But, to the utter surprise of the nation, the ministry of Freedom Fighter's
Affairs of the Alliance Govt. of Khaleda-Nizami has desperately and
derogatorily deleted this historic declaration from the new edition of the same
volume in the name of re-print. Not only this, they have inserted an imaginary
and concocted document "First Declaration of Independence" on 25th
March night of 1971 by Major Ziaur Rahman instead of the Declaration of
Independence by Bangabandhu. Absolutely dominated by anti-liberation forces,
the Govt. of Alliance committed this sort of mischief with the ulterior motive
to distort the true history of the emergence of Bangladesh. Their such acts
amount to violation of the constitution. As such, storms of protests are
coming-up from amongst the living political leaders, bureaucrats,
intellectuals, writers, journalists and teachers including the military
commanders who actively participated in the war of liberation.
4. The following few historical facts will speak for itself :
(A). The declaration of independence of Bangladesh is not a sudden
emotional announcement. It is the outcome of or an important stage of the continuous
23 year's of our historic struggle for national liberation. Starting from the
language movements (1948-52) through various movements and struggle such as,
the Jukta Front (United Front) of 1958, 6-point movement of 1966, Agartala
Conspiracy case up to mass upsurge in 1969 on 11-point programme, Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made Bangalee's autonomy demand into an irresistible and
formidable one. Ayub Khan resigned and Yahya Khan took over Power and declared
election.
(B). The Parliamentary election was held in 1970. Unprecedented and
overwhelming victory of Awami League under the leadership of Bangabandhu in
this election and administering Oath of the newly elected M.P's openly in the
Race course Maidan was a step forward towards our Independence.
(C). When the nation had been awaiting for a central Govt. headed by Sheikh
Mujib and the Parliament Session on 3rd March, 1971, President Yahya Khan
unilaterally postponed the session sine die even without consulting Sheikh
Mujib. The above unilateral act of Yahya Khan ignited fire in the 75 million
Bangalees. In order to embrace with the situation, Bangabandhu called for
peaceful and non-violent non-cooperation movement. During the entire period of
non-cooperation movement, the civil administration of erstwhile East Pakistan
was virtually under the command and control of Bangbandhu. This was another
step forward for independence.
(D). At the backdrop of this situation, the historic 7th March came. On
that day Bangabandhu in a public meeting attended by millions held at Race
Course Maidan called upon the people,
"The fight, this time, is
for freedom!
The struggle, this time, is
for independence."
This famous speech of Bangabandhu is almost a declaration of Independence.
But the wordings of his poetic speech were so thoughtfully and skillfully
structured that the Pakistani's as well as the outside world could not term it
as an act of cessation or Separatist movement. The opportune moment for
declaration of independence in unequivocal terms was not far away.
(E) Bangabandhu Knew that the Pak army would crack down on the Bangalees
any time. So, he made-up his mind and decided to declare full Independence at
an opportune moment. That would be the moment the Pak army would crack down on
our Bangali population. Therefore, Bangabandhu got his Declaration of
Independence recorded very confidentially with necessary instructions to those
who would be pronouncing it at his behest. He also gave necessary directives to
his trusted political colleagues about the next course of actions.
(F) On 25th March 1971, after a series of drama in the name of dialogues
& discussions by the Pak Military Junta and Mr. Bhutoo with Sheikh Mujib
and armed forces including Police & students, the Pak army cracked down
after midnight on the civilian population with all their sophisticated arms
& ammunitions and the moment came for Bangabandhu to declare independence.
(G) At that stage, Bangabandhu in the early hours of 26th March, 1971
(before his arrest) declared Independence of Bangladesh which reads as under :
"I appeal and order you
all in the name of Almighty Allah to fight to the last drop of blood to
liberate the country. Ask police, the E.P.R., the Bengal Regiment and the Ansars
to stand by you and to fight. No compromise. Victory is ours."
5. The above Declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu started
transmitting immediately in the form of a message through a portable
Transmitter by Subeder Major Md. Showkat Ali of E.P.R. signals installed at his
Pilkhana residence. As soon as the message of declaration of Indepen- dence
started transmitting, Bangabandhu was arrested by the Pak army at 1-10 A. M. of
26th March and flown to Karachi as a prisoner. Meanwhile, Subeder Major Shoukat
Ali and his fellow comrades were caught red-handed by the Pak army exactly in
the position of transmitting the Declaration of Independence. After arrest,
these heroes of E.P.R. Signals were continuously and brutally tortured to
martyrdom These facts were clearly narrated by the only daughter of Subeder
Major Md. Showkat Ali Professor Dr. Selina Parveen, Department of Zoology,
University of Rajshahi through her writings published in the Daily Janakhanta
on 24th July, 2004 and in the Daily Sangbad on 31st March, 1997 including many
other Journals at home and abroad.
6. According to the plan, the Declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu
had started being announced through miking and leaflets as soon as this was
received in Chittagong and in other places of the country including adjacent
districts of Dhaka. On 26th March, Mr. M. A. Hannan, an Awami League leader of
Chittagong received the message and he was the first person to read out
Bangabandhu's Declaration of Independence from Radio, Chittagong.
7. On the following day i.e., on 27th March evening, the then Major Zia the
senior most officer available at that time while fleeing for life was forced by
local Awami League Leaders to read out the Declaration of independence in the
name of Bangabandhu in the following way :
"On behalf of our great
leader, the Supreme Commander of Bangladesh Sheikh Mjibur Rahman, we hereby
proclaim the Independence of Bangladesh."
8. Major Zia also reiterated the same in one of his own writings published
in the erstwhile Dainik Bangla on 26th March, 1972 which was re-published in
the Independence Day edition of the Daily Janakhanta in 2002. The writings of
Major Zia also has been supported by his co-fighters like Captain Shamser Mobin
Chowdhury (now Foreign secretary), Captain Nasim B.B. (later on General and
Chief of the Army Staff) and Captain S. A. Bhuiya (later on General). All these
lead to one conclusion that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Proclaimed
independence on 26th March 1971 and the war of liberation went on in his name
and finally Bangladesh won its liberations after great sacrifice. Zia was not
more than one of the sector Commanders.
9. Now let us examine the of BNP-Jamat claim for declaration of
independence by Zia on 25th March :
(A) It is quite noteworthy that no other political or war colleague of Zia
had ever claimed that Zia declared independence on 25th March 1971. Even before
this Alliance Govt. came to power BNP did not also raise such baseless claim
earlier. Rather the historical truth is that Zia as a loyal officer of
Pakistani army was actively and zealously engaged on 25th & 26th March for
unloading arms and ammunitions for Pakistani army from the ship 'SWAT' anchored
at Chittagong port.
(B) In this connection it is also important to note that Ziaur Rahman had
not to face any accusation from Pakistan for his so-called declaration of
independence. Rather Pakistani rulers congratulated him for his appointment as
chief of Army just after 8 days of the murder of Bangabandhu on 15th August
1975.
(C) Further during Bangabandhu's lifetime when Zia was Dy. Chief of Army
knowing fully well about 15th August conspiracy did not take any measure to
protect the elected Govt. and did not do anything to save the life of the
President (Bangabandhu) of the country. This was a treachery and failure on the
part of Zia which could have called for his court-martial, which did not
happen. The self proclaimed murderers of Bangabandhu had told that the murders
of 15th August and the revolt happened with the full consent of Ziaur Rahman.
And as a reward the murderer Khondoker Mustaq Ahmed appointed him Chief of Army
within 8 days of the murder of Sheikh Mujib. This goes to prove that Zia
himself was associated with the murder of Bangabandhu. He betrayed his
president and his oath of allegiance.
(D) His disloyalty to nation and lust for power are quite evident from the
following:
If, indeed, Zia had truly accepted war of freedom and remained faithful to the
Principles and vows for freedom, he would not give indulgence to the murderers
of Bangabandhu and would not reward them. Had he been a real freedom fighter,
he would not have declared himself the President of Bangladesh illegally
betraying the ideals and perception of freedom fight. He would not also change
the constitution by military orders, appoint anti-liberation politicians in
power, pardon Razakars by abolishing Collaborator's Act, allow communal parties
and give them opportunity to take part in politics and would not bring back war
criminal Ghulam Azam and allow reorganize fundamentalist party the Jamate
Islami.
(E) Last, but not the least, how can one imagine that the sudden call of an
unknown Major in a radio can inspire a nation to rise and fight for freedom
unless the ground was prepared for this. Here comes the name of Bangabandhu who
worked for long 23 years to prepare the ground and united the nation for the
great struggle and at his clarion call on 26th March 1971, the nation woke up
and fought for independence till it was achieved.
10. The Declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu is the genesis of the
Proclamation of Independence Order of Bangladesh on 10th March 1971. Since our
constitution is framed on the basis and spirit of this proclamation, the
declaration of Independence has become an integral part of the constitution. It
basically became an interim Constitution and gave legitimacy to Revolutionary
Mujib Nagar Govt. formed with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the
President, and Supreme Commander of all Forces, Syed Nazrul Islam as Acting
President, Taj Uddin Ahmed as the Prime Minister. Major Zia acted as a sector
Commander only. The Fourth Schedule is very important. This Schedule is related
to "Transitional and temporary Provisions" of the constitution which
includes the Proclamation of Independence. As regards this Schedule, Article
150 of the Constitution states "the Transitional and temporary Provision,
set out in the fourth Schedule shall have effect notwithstanding any other
Provisions of this constitution." On the otherhand, the proclamation of
Independence has been included as Appendix I of the constitution.
11. So, it is an established and recognized fact that nobody, but
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the Independence of Bangladesh which
has been duly incorporated in the constitution. Moreover nobody other than
Bangabandhu had the legitimate right to and he did declare the Independence of
Bangladesh. Therefore, the attempt of the Govt. of Alliance by incorporating
the fake & false declaration by Major Zia is a violation of the
constitution.
12. Now it is clear that the claim of the BNP-Jamat Govt. regarding
Declaration of Independence by Major Zia is a sheer lie and an attempt to
distort the true history. Such a lie is undoubtedly a great sin & these
would be made accountable to the people who has already rejected their false,
fabricated and concocted claim.
13. From the above discussion
it is clear that the Khelada-Nizami's Govt. aim is not only to establish Zia as
the proclaimer of Independence. Their real object is to show the independence
as disputed, illegal and unlawful by proving Bangaldesh's independence war as a
mere mutiny or revolt of armies. If it can be proved that Bangbandhu did not
proclaim independence on 26th March then the Declaration of Independence on 10th
April 1971 becomes illegal and Mujib Nagar Govt. does not have any
constitutional basis. By the false claim that Zia declared independence on 26th
March, they want to mislead the people and according to the demand of the
defeated foes of Bangladesh and collaboraters of Pakistani forces the
Khaleda-Nizami Govt. by amending Constitution, changing national flag and
anthem wish to make Bangladesh a theocratic and communal state. With this
far-reaching aim they have taken move to change history and resorted to distortion
With the same object in mind their conspiracy to deface the name of Banganbdhu
from the history of nation and destroy the Awami League, have been continuing.
The introduction of distorted history of independence and war of Independence
in the text books is not an isolated issue. It is a part of a big game
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Soon after the Pakistani army crackdown on
the night of March 25, 1971, the first declaration of independence was made
over the radio by M. A. Hannan. Very few people heard this declaration and
Major Zia's famous "Ami Major Zia Bolchhi" declaration over
Chittagong radio on March 27 was picked up by foreign news agency and was given
wide publicity.
IN
ENGLISH
"Today
Bangladesh is a sovereign and independent country. On Thursday night West
Pakistani armed forces suddenly attacked the police barracks at Razarbagh and
the EPR headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka. Many innocent and unarmed have been
killed in Dhaka city and other places of Bangladesh. Violent clashes between
EPR and Police on the one hand and the armed forces of Pindi on the other, are
going on. The Bengalis are fighting the enemy with great courage for an
independent Bangladesh. May God aid us in our fight for freedom. Joy
Bangla."
