We must follow his ideals

Today is 17 March, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The national leader was born in Tungipara of Gopalganj in 1920 on this day. The whole nation on this very occasion celebrates the day with due respect.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began his political career in the 1940’s along with Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashim. They were leaders of the progressive sections of the then Muslim League. When India and Pakistan were established on the basis of religion on 14 and 15 August, the eastern part of Bengal became a part of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujib was among the first in the movement against Pakistan's ruling administration, who organised the people against the hostility and discrimination.

As an Awami League leader, a provincial government minister, and a member of the National Assembly, he has consistently fought against the discriminatory policies of Pakistani rulers. Young student leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was jailed for the first time during a strike on 11 March 1948 during the Pakistan period. Since then prison became his second residence over the course of time. He spent more than half of the 24 years of Pakistani rule in prison.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced a six-point programme in 1966 and this six-point programme became a source of inspiration not only to the Bangalis but also to Pakistan's minority Sindhi, Pathan and Baloch. His popularity multiplied when Pakistani rulers filed the Agartala conspiracy case against Bangabandhu. In the wake of the mass uprising in1969, he was released from prison as a leader of the people. In the first general election in the history of Pakistan in 1970, Awami League won the absolute majority. He called for a total non-cooperation movement when Pakistani rulers denied to hand him the power. This was the very outset of an armed conflict.

From 1 March, the entire Bangladesh was running under his direction. Bangabandhu declared independence at the early hour of 26 March. Soon after that, he was arrested. For the next nine months, the liberation war was conducted under his direction.

Not only did Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lead the people to liberation, he put all his efforts in reconstructing the war-torn country upon his return on 12 January from Pakistan jail. Besides receiving the recognition of most of the countries of the world in the shortest time, acquiring UN membership in 1974 was the example of his rare diplomatic success. He presented the country with a full-fledged democratic constitution in just nine months. The establishment of a language-based nationalism as opposed to religion-based nationalism was the greatest political achievement of Bangabandhu.

After independence, Bangabandhu lived for only three and a half years more. He was brutally killed on 15 August by some derailed soldiers. But the bullets could not part him from his dream of Bangladesh. Just as the name of George Washington is synonymous with the United States, Mahatma Gandhi with India, Mao Se-Tung with China, Lenin with the former Soviet Union, the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib with Bangladesh will also be an integral entity.

Celebrating the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu is undoubtedly an important event in our national life. However, it will only be useful if we uphold his principles and ideals, not just in rhetoric, but in our hearts.