Bangladesh Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed’s recent comment that the nation has failed to recognise ‘Father of nation’ - apparently referring to Late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, may very well be viewed as his bias towards Sheikh Mujib and Awami League. It is also likely to be seen as an attempt to start the process of officially confer that title to him.
I for one, also believe that it was not necessary to bring up this controversial issue in a speech on the auspicious independence day of the nation as many Bangladeshis do not support the idea.
In his speech he goes out of the way by boasting – “After the proclamation of the state of emergency, I told the inspector general of police that I don’t want to see anybody doing any harm or torch a single garment factory.” - referring to the recent declaration of emergency rule in Bangladesh.
“Have a look, because of this single instruction, nobody dared to do anything destructive even after two months,” he said.
In reality, the official chain of command does not give Mr.Moeen the authority to give any orders to the Inspector general of police.
By giving these type of statements, he will only undermine the legitimate authority(yes, the current government is legitimate and constitutional) of the interim government led by Dr.Fakhruddin Ahmed by giving an impression that there is a parallel government run by the Army Chief.
It is true that this government is backed by the defence forces, however, its public role should be limited to whatever is assigned to it by the interim government. Mr. Moeen Ahmed is not part of that government — he is the the Chief of army staff, whose job is to primarily defend the country from outside aggression. General Moeen is by no means the head of this government and he should stop projecting his power in speeches.
While in general, I agree with Mr. Moeen that Bangladesh politicians have so far divided the country rather than unite it, I do not agree with this idea of ‘Father of the Nation’. Isn’t ‘Bongobondhu’ - Friend of Bengalis- enough for him? Do Bangladeshis really need another official title for him?
With due respect, Sheikh Mujib is not the only leader in the history of Bangladesh — in fact, the very idea of an independent East Pakistan started with ‘Sher-e-Bangla’-Tiger of Bengal- Fazlul Haque, so should Bangladeshis have another title like ‘Grand Father of Nation’ for him?
I personally hold Late Moulana Bhashani in more esteem than any other national leaders for his Gandhi-like qualities. He is also popularly known as Mozloom Jananeta - the leader of the oppressed - which I think sticks to his name to this day more naturally than any of the titles of the other leaders I mentioned above. Last but not least, What about General Ziaur Rahman? What title people of Bangladesh will give him for declaring independence of Bangladesh from Chittagong radio on that fateful day in 1971?
To sum it up, all of these leaders and many others, made their contributions to the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation. Sheikh Mujib united the Bengalis of then East Pakistan by his fiery speeches and I salute him for that but he is by no means the only great leader of Bangladesh and I am not ready to accept this idea of ‘Father of the Nation’ status for him.
Yes Mr. Moeen, let us give our leaders whatever is due to them but let us not promote personality cult and hero worshipping. Have you forgotten that General Ershad’s name is now synonymous with tyranny and corruption even though he took the title ‘Palli Bandhu’ - friend of villagers - during his tyrannical rule?
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16 users commented in " Bangladesh: Army Chief Moeen brings up controversial ‘Father of Nation’ issue "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHasib you are dead wrong. Shere-e-Bangla was for Pakistan and not for Bnagladesh. It is Bongo Bandhu who is the Father of Bangladesh.
This is what happens when Bangladesh’s enemies get hold of Bangladesh. This blogger is just a victim of our biased and corrupt historical data. Without Mujib, Bangladesh would be East Pakistan. I am so glad to see that this government is setting things right finally.
Sir, As a person who took part in the logistics of Mukthi bahini, i can understand the bloggers view of all those Bangladeshies who stood upto the might of Pakistan army supported by USA. But i cannot undeerstand how come he is heralding Maulana Bhashani who used to spew venom against India but took shelter in India when Pakistan hordes started killing every intellectual mercillessly. His cowardise stands out in comparison to the courage of Dhirendrantah Dutta who refused to move to India and got killed by Pakistan army. All bangladeshies must also ponder why Bangabandhu was killed by Kondhakar Mushtaq ahmed and Major Mohidueen ahmed who got asylum in USA and continue to get support from congressman Dana Robrabacker? Tiger siddique another forgotten hero and why he was killed by Khondakar regime?
When it all started in 1969/1970, Sk Mujib wanted to be the PM of Pakistan…by way of sheer majority of popularity ote or majority number of Awami League MPs in the parliament. In my opinion he never envisioned an independent country. It is only when Pakistani’s invaded the country and freedom fight started… and we got our well deserved independence.
What would the future look for then East Pakistan beyond March 25, 1971, if West Pakistan would have never invaded East. Well, in hind side we can now speculate many theories. But the truth is no one really knows.
Agreed… there is a need to identify the father of the nation. After all a new nation was born on December 16, 1971. Sometime someONE took that first step that led to the, fighting and at the end winning the war for independence. But in my opinion, in this case NO one man can be ruled out for the recognition of father of the nation, as Bongobondhu Sk. Mujib, Ziaur Rahman , Tajudding Ahmed, chief of armed forces (freedom fight), etc… played a vital role simultaneously from many different angle that ultimate contributed to final result of independence. Therefore all respective participants and contributors should be recognized in their own merit.
That said, it is my humble opinion, that, After 36 years of independence for greater good of the nation, if providing the title of father of nation to Bongobondhu, and some kind of similar title to Zia and Tajudding brings unity and harmony to the nation and which supposedly led to a prosperous future… then why not. This will stage a win win situation for all.
Every time the army intervenes in the politics of the country, it takes the country back years. Now they are taking the country back to identify who the Father of the Nation is.
Do the people of Bangladesh feel it is an illegitimate country without defining this information ?
Where was Sheik Mujib when Zia was fighting in a war, risking his life? Why did Mujib stay behind while he has every opportunity to fight in the war for independence? A father must defend his children in the time of crisis, not wait for the enemies to come to his home and capture him. Mujib was a physically imposing man, with great oratory skills, but he was not the statesman that Bangladesh needed after the war. He made too many mistakes - Bakshal, not controlling his corrupt brother, son, friends, not having a plan to run a country among them. Zia was a good statesman, but his betrayal of Col. Taher shows the dark side of his heart. He learned his tricks while serving in Pakistan Army intelligence, killed too many young officers for his own benefit. Gen. Monjoor and Col. Taher defected Pakistani army and took the arduous trip to join in the war together. Monjoor was disgusted by Zia’s betrayal of Taher, and did not object to the killing of Zia! Neither Zia nor Mujib deserves to be the father of our nation.
Chief of army staff has boldly recognize the father of nation the nation.he is having that moral courage to say that. it has to sattle down right now by this gov. and people should not talk about this matter any more.
one of my friends comment on this site that “Every time the army intervenes in the politics of the country, it takes the country back years”. this time Bangladesh Army will prove that they will not interven politics but they will reform the hole country and go back to cantonment,which will be example for the hole world.
Do you know 19000 crores were spent for electricity by BNP and whereas not a single unit of electricity was added to the national grit?
Do you still say BNP did not do corruption?
Do you know 7000 crores are looted every years by the corrupted officials and BNP just kept quite?
Do you still support BNP?
Do you know that BNP made Bangladesh most corrupted country in the world for last 5 years?
How can you still support BNP?
Do you know neither AL, nor BNP did any thing to improve the condition of 80% people of Bangladesh who live in villages? When they strike for fertilizers they are shot dead.
So now we can not trust any old parties any more. Can you?
Do you support this idea?
if you do write me mahmood_c@hotmail.com
Allah says kill the corrupters, crucify them, cut their hands and legs alternatively, banish them from the land [sura 5 ayat 33]
Do you think Allah know better than us?
If you support corrupters, you do corruption. Then punishment is severe.
Corruption destroyed Bangladesh. If you love Bangladesh you will never support corrupters.
They are most hated by people and most hated by Allah.
Are you one of them by supporting them?
Dont be angry. I am just putting my opinion. You can not hate me for my opinion. This is a free world.
) In the world only two countries born through winning war , not any sort of negociation ,straight defeating the enemy. USA and bangladesh. American war lead by George Washington and american call him the father of the united staes of America .
Creation of bangladesh was not ultimate goal, people voted Awami league lead by Sk. Mujib for 6 point basis autonomy remaining as a part of pakistan. Awamy league lead by sk. Mujib won the ellection and Sk. Mujib was getting ready to be the prime minister of pakistan. But Pakistani military ruller Yahia did not like to handover power, he gone for negociation with Awami league but out come of the meeting was not good one.Pakiatan army took hard line,they started terrible crime of mass murder,torture rapes and brutality to innocent bengali people. In that situation Sk. Mujib/ Tajuddin/Dr. Kamal/ Barister Amirul Islam decided to come out of the house and challenged pak army to save our people as well as push war of freedom a successfull one. But surdenly Sk. Mujib changed mind ,he delighted to be surrendered to the Pakistan army rather taking challenged, Dr. Kamal also surrendered, but Tajuddin did not He took the challenged, he said I will give my political best shot for my people. barrister Amirul Islam was always with him, There were no foreign link to support our war because it was not a declared war,war was being pushed tous ,Our war to save our people from pak army’s atrocities. Tajuddin crossed the border and had negociation with India to help our people, He made link other Awamy leaders to come forward to form an exile government. Government being formed, constitution formed, national anthom and national fleg all work done by Tajuddin lead exile governmeny. Our Most Tallented Army officer General Osmany organised resistance force against pak army All the sector commanders were under him including general Zia, Osmani sb, Organised massive muktijudda training and made them fighter within months. 1971 world was dictated by two Supper powers, America and suviet Union, war time prime minister Tajuddin managed to bring suviet union in our favour as a result america and china stepped back to give dirrect millitary support to pakistan. so many Indian generals advised Indira Gandhi that the war is risky for India but when Suviet union step in then Indian come forward to help us. We won the war with join command of India/ Bangladesh army lead by general Osmany General Aurora.
during war Time Dr. Kissinger best of american deplomat was in power, he created a confederation theory stop the war, to keep bangladesh remain as part of pakistan, offering with some secreat deal. Khandoker Mustaque was working hard for confederation, Syed Nazrul Islam attemted to join secreat meeting along with Mustaque at US embassy in calcutta but he changed mind and did not go(as per Kissinger ’s written book). Tajuddin worked real hard , 24 hours in his prime ministrial small office in calcutta without maintaining family life. though maximum Awami MPs were living like holiday maker living in rented house with family and children. One crore helpless people took shelter in india, Mother Tarressa was working for our refugees, Sinator Edward Kenedy visited the h u g e bangladeshi refugee camp and asked american public to save the people. George harrison came out with his power of guiter to collect money for our people, cats steven collected money and made our cause popular in the weastern world. One australian W.A.S ouderland became freedom figher to save our people, more than 3 hundred thosands sacrificed their lives for bangladesh. we lost our top most intellectual people because they supported our people,Though tajuddin lead the liberation war and war time prime minister he did liked to be called him hero, Once he told I am still alive i can see my country bangladesh, but those who sacrificed their lives for the country, they did not see bangladesh born, how can I accept I am greater them them. I am only Tajuddin no title please,( Once his area people try to give him title”Bango Taj.
Bangladesh born through democratic process and face a war. Our pre war/ post war politicians and arm forces left their activities during war and after war, Our people sacrificed their lives for our freedom, democracy and people’s rights If any one dishonoured he is out of treck that’s what I believe. Think about Mahatma Gandhi If he would took over full power and introduced one party system, and hold the democratic rights of the people in neck. How it sounds like? Did indian people would loved him like a God? Pakistani atrocities united our people to fight together to stop genocites . My judgement Tajuddin and General Osmany both had agreat rule to bring bangladesh into world map. Sk. Mujib and Zia destroyed their credibility and lining up themselves as Baksali dictator and millitary dictator, they did show little repect to the war time great hero Tajuddin and Osmany. sk. Mujib/ Zia can not a role model of future leader, people does not like Baksal any more even Sk. Hasina does not like it because people do not like it. People do not want to see millitary dictators any more. Sk. Mujib/ Zia is like awmy league/ BNP’s ellection music drum.
So many country in the world do not have father of the nation, our country is not new, Isa kha, sayesta, Serajaddoula all were our previous head of the state. Our country was occupied long time by foreign forces and our people drive them out.
You can call all the above leaders as political leaders and their performance will say how good they were. their activities will placed them in right position in the history of bangladesh.
2nd part : War time Sk. Mujib surendered to pakistan army and being arrested and being send to Pakistan(26/3/1971).
Sk. Mujib’s all family was alive in war time, All his children (Jamal/ kamal/Hasina/ Rehana, mrs Mujib were in old Dhaka relatives house, Pak army could have tortured or arrest them . Sk. Mujib’s children were not freedom fighters they did not join any freedom fighting group they stayed at home in old dhaka during 9 months war time.
Sk. Mujib’s one Nephew Sk. moni He went India and very much active with Khandoker Mustaque, and created a separate freedom fighting group called Mujib Bahini they did not like general Osmani’s command(Chief of Freedom fightres),They created problem with osmany but tajuddin accepted a saparate freedom fighting group to avoid conflict among each others. Record say they did not fight war though they carried indian army suppied arms. Hardly you will find any shahid from Mujib bahini. this bahini was formed after liberation they will take the administrationin on their hand. After liberation of bangladesh Pakistan and American allie quickly send Sk. mujib home to take the power, Sk. Mujib came home less than a month after liberation and said Tajuddin I want to be prime minister not president. Tajuddin said what ever you want, even tajuddin does not wanted to grapped any ministerial post. He was happy to remain as party secretary his previous position. After grapping power Sk. Mujib extebd his close friendship with mustaque and distancing himself from Tajuddin.He helped all the pakistani war crminals to go home safely without asking pakistany regime for appology, Or he did not raise the pakistani army’s atrocities to the international court of justice. When he went to Lahore for friendship with pakistan that time soil of bangladesh was wet with shahid’s blood. He never mention Pakistani regime for the appology. I believe sk. Mujib did a crime helping to released pak army without trial ( Recently anerican state departments released conversation among buttu mujib, in that you will find mujib was saying, he helped pakistan to released the Pakistani POWs, though they did serious crime and genocites in bangladesn. When Baksal introduced tajuddin opposed he said as a result people loose their democratic rights. Mujib did not like this opinion as a result Tajuddin got sacked,.2ndly Dr. kissiger secretary of state of America did not liked Tajuddin , reason Dr. kissinger’s Confederation theory( Bangladesh to stay with pakistan as one nation) Failed , he can not beat Tajuddin,All the Awami top leaders were being managed.even sk. Mujib himself intested in confederation with pakistan rather than independent bangladesh.(regarding this one article published in washington post in 2005.oct 6, from state departmentment which published Sk. mujib was interested for confederation with pakistan rather than independent Bangladesh. kissinger did not like fail mission.two days before Dr. Kissinger’s 1st visit to bangladesh. Sk. Mujib sacked Taluddin To make dr. Kissinger happy.
On the other side Zia ur Rahman declared independendece on behalf of Sk. mujib and tried to keep freedom fight in his contol(Remember Zia was Pakistani millitary intelligent officer that time). But the move was not successfull, All freedom fight gone General Osmani’s control. Zia was sector commander under him. Osmani was doubyfull on zia’s attitude , to whom he is working? Osmany sb, placed him chittagong region, down fall of that region do not affect seriousness of whole war. as a matter of fact maximum attacked by muktijudda upon pak army was failed in that region, so many muktijudda died in that region. Once Osmany sb thinking to arrest Zia he thought Zia is working for pakistan. but Tajuddin did not like this idea, because this may create backlash , still remain suspence to whom zia worked for.When Zia became President he made two of his prime minister from war criminals, anti bangladeshi razakers. Shah azaiz and Mashiur rahman. He picked majority war criminals and placed them in his party. so this also indicate Osmany sb may be right.
Khaleda zia fallow up the same procedure even serious war criminals Jamate Islami is her close allie. If she would be tortured she would not liked pro pakistani war criminals During war time she was being well respected by pak army. Now they are her working partners. So my analysis She was safe and sound in dkaka cantonment during liberation war time. Zia,s rule on liberation war left controversy too.
I believe before diclairing father of the nation we must investigate each leaders genuinity, because they will be consuder as a role model of future leaders. Late Tajuddin’s name will never come because he did not like any tittle,even he never writs his family tittle khan after his name,
Reply to Mahmood
Dear Mahmood,
I admire your patriatism and deep feeling for the country(BD). We also love our country and like wise the others. But the main problem is, we as a citizen of this country cannot think freely and independently like other countries. We must understand that our country is being surrounded by a big neighbour and who has an interest in our country. She has many agents in our country. Now as a good citizen, we will definitely want every after 5 years a new govt with people’s support to come and rule this country. This is one side of the coin. But in practice it is difficult to execute. There are many historial reasons. In fact in our country there are three catagories of peoples. (1) People who migrated from Central Asia and other muslim countries permanently settled here. This is due to the fear of Changes Khan and Halaku Khan. Subsequently, due to the fear of “Borgies”(Marathas of South Indian) many Indian muslims crossed the mighty rivers and settled here. This is particularly in Sathkira, Jenaidha, Pabna, Rajshahi and Chapai Nababganj. There are evidences that during the civil war between Umayyad and Abassaid dynesty many muslims(ummayyad) took shelter in Bengal. Due to the rivaries of muslim of Delhi sultanate many fugitives took shelter here. Now it is said that these people constitute around 50-55% even more. In the famine of 1776 around 1/3 (1 crore including Bihar & Orissa) of the people of this area died. In the famine of 1943 around 30 lacs died. Now in famine generally the poor people dies. I thing since most of the period Bengal was ruled by the muslims from 1300 to 1757 AD the above catagory people were rich and hence had a less casualty. During that period the population might have imbalanced. Now, the above catagory people are highly religious minded and anti-India and hence anti-Awami League and are dead against accepting Sk Mujib as Father of the Nation. Your theory of corruption of BNP has a very less impact on the above people. (2)The 2nd catagory people are mixed, convertee muslim (Hindus & Buddus being majority), local tribes(Commilla-Tripura)etc. These people are mostly moderate and tilted to either side. The theory of corruption will have an impact on them. Unfortunately their no is between 15 to 20 %. (3) The 3rd catagory people are Hindus, Buddus and Christians. The no of Hindus are decling. Mostly they supports seculer parties mostly aliened with AL. During the British times there was a group known as “Tufsheri Federation” which had a good link with Muslim League. But now after Zia this organisation is dead, may be with the instigation of RAW and AL. So the politics of Bangladesh is very difficult and complex. Now if somebody like Ferdous Qurrashi or Welfare Party of General Mucho wants to create a 3rd alliance, completely free from corruption he is in a fools paradise. Bloods speaks itself. Bengaleese have many bloods, the only common think is that we are muslim that too with the murids of various “peer”. According to my deep assessment 12 years the above two catagory of people will never unite together in the near forseeable future. KAMAL
REPLY TO CAPT SUMON
Dear friend,
You said that your CAS has ” boldly recognize the father of nation the nation. He is having that moral courage to say that it has to be settle down right now by this gov and people should not talk about this matter any more”
1. First of all as CAS he should not said this controvercial issue in front of the press. You know for this issue many people have died including your brother officer and many coups and counter coups took place in this army around 22. Out of this around 19/20 coups were for the above issue. Fortunately or unfortunately all the above mil coups were failed. And if you add up all these killing sum up will be around 1500/1700. Many a times people have voted no for this issue with 2/3 majority. Your CAS is merely a govt servent, it hardly matters whether he said loudly, slowly and couregiously. Rather by saying it publicly it has created a lot of controversy and he has sided with a particular group.He has to face the music but when the music will tune that’s a question ?
We will see in future.
2. You have said army will make all good reforms for the country and by handing over power to the elected govt, army will move to barrack! WhaT A CHERISH desire ? Look my dear friend, a country is always being ruled by a constitution. This govt’s each an every act is uncontitutional. By this time govt has issued almost 80 ordinances, who is going to ratify it ? Have they consulted the political parties? Or just depending on Sh Hasina’s public comment, “Ai sarkarer shob kajer boidhota dibo” Have the govt consulted with AL before issuing ordinance ? How can you sure that AL and its group is comming to power. It this govt is a legal govt? A mere rule of neccessity by the Supreme Court may not suffies. If the govt is based on the rule of neccessity then govt should only do day to day life. Can you guess somethink comming over ?
You see in the 3rd World countries many a time military took over power but all of them had to form a political party one way or other way.This is because their each illegal works for ratification in the constitution. Here illegal means not neccessarily a bad laws. It means not backed by law. You cannot go back to barrack until your deeds and reforms are ratified by 2/3 majority in parliament. Your King’s party is till in primitive stage. Your’s reforms are useless creating problem in every where. Your theory of increasing per capita income is declining. “Bater satee alloo besi besi” has become laughing stock. Your tour of 64 districts with lot of buses with plates of aloo and RAB has failed to attract the people. Military and Civil bureacrates has proved to be useless although with good intension. That’s enough for you for your moral courage. See you later. AKRAM
BANGLADESH POLITICS/DEMOCRACY/ARMY/LEADERS AND PEOPLE AND CORRUPTION WILL BECOME ”JEMON CHILEA”
Mujib was corrupt as Bhutto; those two fags both wanted power. General Zia is the true father of the nation since he was the leader of the military and he proclaimed independence. He was a Pakistani soldier and yet he turned sides to help his fellow Bengali brothers.
well fukingg banglaz u morons it was india who sent troops to fucking suck ur cockz n u wanted them to suck ur cockz to safe a part of pakistan west pak sent troops don’t call it invasion u moron but now i realize thanks bangaldesh is not our part anymore atleast we don’t have financial burden to fuckingg shelter morons like you after each year floods lol fuckku all
well fukingg banglaz u morons it was india who sent troops to fucking suck ur cockz n u wanted them to suck ur cockz to safe a part of pakistan west pak sent troops don’t call it invasion u moron but now i realize thanks bangaldesh is not our part anymore atleast we don’t have financial burden to fuckingg shelter morons like you after each year floods lol fuckku all
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