For quite sometime now, Bangladesh is witnessing a clash
between pro and anti-government organizations like the main opposition Party BNP (Bangladesh
National Party) led by Begum Khalida Ziya
and its ally Jamaat-E-Islami and pro-govt
supporters – the new generation of youth
who are pro-democratic and pro-secular. The new generation of youth who
constitute lakhs and lakhs were not even born during Bangladesh revolution
under the leadership of Banga Bandhu Mujibur Rehman against the biased approach
of the Pakistani authorities towards East Pakistan. East Bengal which was part
of Pakistan since Pakistan was formed after India got bifurcated into two due
to the consistent demands of Muslim League led by Muhammed Ali Jinnah to have a
separate country for Muslims. With the division of India, Pakistan came into
existence and consequently West Pakistan and East Pakistan were created. The continuous
neglect of East Pakistanis by the ruling authorities of West Pakistan irked the
East Pakistanis, their basic minimum requirements even were not attended to by
the ruling authorities who were controlling the levers of power from West
Pakistan forced the East Pakistani citizens to gather under one umbrella and
their periodic revolts and rebellion ruthlessly suppressed by the army loyal to
the Pakistani govt. But with life getting more difficult due to rampant
poverty, massive unemployment, and exploitation of resources by Pakistani
authorities, East Pakistanis were left with no other alternative but to revolt
against the misrule of Pakistani authorities under the leadership of Mujibur
Rehman who was extended generous support by the then Indira Gandhi govt by
providing funds and logistical support first and as a revenge Pakistan declared
war against India. India was forced to provide army support too to the East
Pakistanis under Mujibur Rehman which resulted in the formation of a new nation
called Bangladesh. Indian forces retaliated strongly on the Western front
against the Pakistani forces, till Indian forces emerged victorious with
Pakitsani forces conceding defeat in the end. It was in the year 1971.
Mujibur Rehman, architect of Bangladesh showered his gratitude
profusely on Indira Gandhi govt for standing by his country thru thick and thin
and he sincerely wished to maintain friendly relations with India. Mujibur
Rehman occupied the saddle under the banner of Awami League, his new born party,
as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Immediately after ascending the chair he initiated large-scale reforms
on various fronts for the uplift of the masses who were suffering since a long
time due to poverty, unemployment and brutal repression by the Pakistani
authorities. While he was busy paving the way for a self-reliant Bangladesh on one
side, a coterie of army men under the influence of certain military leaders loyal
to Pakistan were making preparations for a coup-de-tat
against the secular govt of Mujibur Rehman. Unaware of the behind the scene
activities of the cunning and wily army personnel Mujibur Rehman proceeded along with his business of building up a reformed
Bangladesh but his dreams of giving a facelift to his nation remained
short-lived as a result of a bloody coup organised by the pro-Pakistani military
leaders in which along with Mujibur Rehman, most of his family members were
assassinated which shook not only his countryment but the whole world. The
brutal assassination of Mujibur Rehman and his family members invited the wrath
and contempt of the entire world.
The military junta under the leadership of General
Zia-Ur-Rehman unleashed violence across the country and as a consequence
thousands of Bangladeshis perished. National Emergency was declared, freedom of
expression curtailed by gagging the media and imprisoned a number of Awami leaders and supporters and all signs of
revolt nipped in the bud.
Sheikh Hazina Wajid, the incumbent Prime Minister of
Bangladesh was abroad during the revolution and hence she could escape from the
clutches of the evil forces which took control of the nation.
Govts came and went but those who took the initiative to
hatch a conspiracy to assassinate Mujibur Rehman, his family members and
thousands of citizens loyal to Bangabandhu who got perished in the revolution
roamed free through the streets of Bangladesh had to be brought to justice by the
incumbent govt of Hazina Wajid who was sworn in as Prime Minister in 2009 the
second time.
Apprehending punishment a few military leaders who had
hatched a conspiracy to oust the Mujibur Rehman from power sought asylum
abroad. However, a determined Hazina wanted all the culprits be brought to justice
took the initiative to form three local courts under International Crimes Tribunal.
which later awarded death penalty to the culprits and others were tried in
absentia and awarded capital punishment.
Those who were already under the custody of govt sent to
gallows and many are to follow.
The new generation of youth who drew inspiration from the
history of Bangladesh War of Independence are naturally enraged and they have
risen in revolt demanding exemplary punishment be awarded to the leaders of
Jamaat-E-Islami who were charged with conspiracy, murder,loot, arson, rape and
violence. As a result of their demands, Delver Hossain Sayeedee, the 73 year
old leader of Jamaat-E-Islami was sentenced to death two days before charging
him with conspiracy, murder, arson, loot, rape and violence.
This sentence provoked, Jamaate-E-Islami party leaders and
their supporters came out into the streets in large numbers and battled against
the police and paramilitary forces resulting in the death of 56 persons including
policemen. Jamaat leaders have called for three day shut down of the nation. To
counter the rampaging Jamaat-E-Islami supporters the pro-govt youth too in
thousands have come out into the streets. As of now, Bangladesh has evolved
into a towering inferno with no solution in night.
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