Thursday 17 April 2025
Is Bangladesh Eroding Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Legacy?
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Bangladesh seems to be diminishing the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is often referred to as the Father of the Nation. Recently, the interim government announced the cancellation of eight important national observances that celebrate significant events related to Rahmans life. These observances include his birth and death anniversaries, along with the anniversary of his historic speech. This decision, approved by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, was made public via the verified Facebook page on October 16.
The Advisory Councils official statement revealed that the Cabinet Division will soon release a circular to formalize the cancellations. The affected observances are as follows:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a pivotal role in Bangladeshs fight for independence from Pakistan, a conflict characterized by a brutal genocide that persisted until 1971. With the support of India, pro-independence groups effectively fought against Pakistani rule, ultimately leading to Bangladeshs independence.
Rahman later became the countrys First Prime Minister and established a one-party system, assuming the presidency in January 1975. Unfortunately, he was assassinated just a few months later, on August 15, alongside his wife and three sons.
In thepast few months, Bangladesh has witnessed considerable turmoil. Thousands of protesters defied curfews to storm the Prime Ministers palace in Dhaka amid the rumors that Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country. The streets erupted with jubilant crowds. Amid the chaos, the crowd damaged the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, highlighting a concerning disconnection from the countrys roots.
This is not the first time that Bangladesh has appeared to diminish Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans legacy. Just last month, members of the National Press Club in Dhaka were seen commemorating the 76th Death Anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, which raises questions about the current narrative surrounding Bangladeshs history.
Once known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh gained independence from Islamabad in 1971, largely due to Indias support, Recently, some speakers have suggested that being part of Pakistan in 1947 may have protected Bangladesh from a situation similar to Kashmirs.
Md Samsuddin, a convenor at Nagorik Parishad, remarked If Bangladesh had not been part of Pakistan in 1947, we would have been in the same position as Kashmir today, with the Indian junta holding weapons to our necks. Bangladesh gained independence because of Pakistan, which Jinnah helped create.
Samsuddin and others have advocated for stronger relations with both China and Pakistan, claiming that Jinnah resolved the political conflicts in the region. Despite being part of Pakistan, East Pakistan suffered severe economic neglect, with many residents suffering while the ruling class in Islamabad ignored their plight. The authorities in Islamabad often dismissed Bengali Muslims as too Bengali and viewed their interpretation of Islam as inferior, which fueled the growing demand for independence.
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