Freedom is the birth-right of
man. But freedom does not come down on a nation. A nation must rise itself to
achieve it. Bangladesh experienced about 190 years of long British colonial
rule that ended up in 1947 with the partition of Indian subcontinent and birth
of two independent states viz, India and Pakistan. Bangladesh became a province
of Pakistan named East Pakistan. However, the deprivation and exploitation of
the Pakistani rulers created grievances and resentment among the people of East
Pakistan. They rose again and revolted against the Pakistan oppressors. This
time they rose for complete break up with Pakistan and voiced for an
independent nation. The result is a nine month-long armed struggle against
Pakistan occupation forces that culminated in the birth of Bangladesh as a free
and sovereign nation in the world.
The most glorious and the
greatest achievement for Bangladesh in the last century has its birth as an
independent nation. Bangladesh won a flag, an identity and occupied a place in
the world’s map. Bangladesh became a free and independent nation and stood
upright and with dignity and honour among the nations of the world. But
Bangladesh had to pay heavy price for its independence. About three millions of
lives have sacrificed in the war of liberation. Many heroic sons of this soil
fought bravely and achieved martyrdom to liberate their country. The country’s
infrastructure, communication industry and assets were destroyed in the war.
The main reason for which the
nation fought for liberation against Pakistan was the audacity and denial of
the Pakistani rulers to recognize the electoral triumph of the Awami League
under the leadership of Shekih Mujibur Rahman in 1970. As a result the Bengalis
stood up and demanded independence.
The causes of our libteration
war rooted in the social discrimination, political deprivation and economic
exploitation. The people of this region had long been exploited by the
Pakistani authorities like the colonial period. The Bengalis were treated like
second class citizen in their own country. They were discriminated in govt.
services, in business and in getting govt. right and privileges. These created
anger and resentment among the Bengalis.
Political manipulation and
economic exploitation were other two important reasons of liberation war.
Development programmes were mainly taken up the West Pakistan and mills and
factories and infrastructural development were done there for which East Pakistan
provided its earning from export. Moreover, when Pakistani authorities denied
to hand over power to the elected Bengalis leadership, it became obvious that
it was not possible then to co-exist as two provinces and it was time for
liberation. These social and cultural, economic and political factors end to
our liberation war.
On 7th March 1971,
Sheikh Mujubur Rahman while addressing a huge crowd in the historic race course
ground declared that the struggle of this time is struggle for freedom the
struggle of this time is struggle for independence. On 26 March, Major Ziaur
Rahman, an officer in the Pakistan army declared the independence of Bangladesh
on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat Radio centre. From then, the
students, farmers, labourers, all and sundry joined the liberation war and
after taking guarilla training, fought with the Pakistan occupation forces.
Colonel M.A.G. Osmani was made the chief commander of liberation forces and the
country was divided into eleven sectors under eleven army officers to conduct
the war.
The liberation forces comprised
former EPR members, army personnel’s, police and freedom fighters. India
provided guarilla training and other support to the freedom fighters. After
nine months bloody struggle, the Pakistani army surrendered to the Allied
forces at Race Course ground on 16 December 1971. Thus a new and free nation
was born in the world map.
Thus, after a sea of blood and
lots of sacrifices we achieved our liberation from Pakistan. Today we are proud
as an independent and sovereign nation. Our liberation war has gone down to
history. Our liberation war is our living memory, our greatest achievement, and
our pride.
No comments:
Post a Comment