The journey of Bangladesh from Mujibnagar
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Mujibnagar government is the government constituted at Mujibnagar to conduct the Bangladesh war of liberation, formed on 10 April 1971 after the declaration of independence on 26 March 1971. The Mujibnagar government headed by Tajuddin Ahmad took oath on 17 April 1971 at Mujibnagar. This government had also been known as Mujibnagar Government in-exile, as the activities of the government had been conducted from outside of the territory of Bangladesh. Formation of the government on 10 April a government was formed consisting of the top ranking leaders of Awami league. The oath taking ceremony of the government took place on 17 April at Baidyanathtala, in the district of Meherpur. The oath taking ceremony was conducted by Abdul Mannan MNA and the proclamation of independence was read out by Professor Mohammad Yusuf Ali. In this place a guard of honor was given to Syed Nazrul Islam, the acting President of the newly formed government.
General Administration Division was formed under the Ministry of Establishment to deal with appointment, transfer, promotion and framing of service rules. Nurul Qader was the secretary of the Establishment Division. Zonal Administrative Council was formed under General Administration Division. Nine administrative zones with a chairman for each were’ formed to look after administration of lubrication war activities. Each zone had a headquarters, and a chairman. Ministry of Health and Welfare worked under a Director General. Later the position of the Director General was elevated to the status of a secretary. The functions of the health department were divided into two sectors: a) to impart medical treatment to the freedom fighters under the army ie under the Ministry of Defence and b) to render medical treatment to such civilians or persons who did not participate in the liberation war directly with arms. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting played important role to build up public opinion in favour of the liberation war. This ministry used to perform its functions through four divisions: a) Radio (Swadhin Bangle Betar Kendra), b) Films, c) Publications, d) Fine arts and design. Ministry of Home was responsible for maintaining law and order in the liberated areas. This ministry selected the uniform, badge and monogram of the Bangladesh police force. Abdul Khaleque was made the first IG of the police and was later appointed as home secretary. Relief and Rehabilitation Division was created under the supervision of the Ministry of Home and Ministry of’ Relief with a view to rehabilitate the refugees taking shelter in India. Parliamentary Affairs Division worked under the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Law and Parliamentary Affairs. The main task of this division was to solve various problems of the members of Provincial and National Assembly and to engage them in various activities. Agriculture Division worked for finding ways and means for taking measures to overcome food crisis by increasing food production in the post-war Bangladesh, introducing scientific cultivation and providing loans to farmers under easy terms in view of the wartime losses.
The formation of the Mujibnagar government had great significance for the fact that the great men who gave leadership to this great event in the absence of our supreme leader and continued the armed struggle for the following eight months, having allowed no breach in the unity of their people, was one of the cornerstones of our total Liberation War, fought valiantly involving everyone, and above all kept our leader alive in the minds of every freedom fighter as if he was fighting side by side with them.
Bir Bikram Mahbub Uddin Ahmad was the police chief of Jhenaidah sub-division and joined the armed revolution after the liberation war started. He was in charge of presenting the guard of honour to the acting president of the expatriate government of Bangladesh at the oath taking ceremony on 17 April, 1971. Tawfiq was busy welcoming the guests. Mahbub Uddin Ahmad would present the guard of honour with some members of Ansar and lined them up to prepare for the salutation. Everybody climbed the stage in front of us to be sworn in. Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was pronounced as the president and Syed Nazrul as the vice-president of Bangladesh. In absence of Bangbandhu, Syed Nazrul would serve as the acting president, Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the finance minister, Kamaruzzaman as home and relief minister and Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad as the foreign minister. MNA Prof Yusuf Ali administered the swearing.
Mujibnagar Day is an event marking a unique or important historical change of course, or one on which important developments depend and shape the history of Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. It is truly an epoch-making event for the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh. The formation of Bangladesh’s provisional/first government and the oath taking ceremony both were a milestone in the history of a Bengali nation. To make the event successful there were many stakeholders and they had their contributions. But Bangladesh Ansar had their unique contribution. To organize the program, they had their active participation from first to last. The guard of honor program was supposed to be completed by EPR people. But EPR people could not turn up for some reasons. Instead of EPR people guard of honor formality was done by Ansar people. So, Ansar has again made the part of history. But it is sad to mention that some people are confused by the fact whether the guard of honor event is being performed by EPR people or Ansar people. However, people may not know the facts but Bangladesh Ansar must have their recognition and deserve national awards.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP).
