Centenary Superhero in the Light of the Century

 

The war of liberation that took place in 1971 to liberate the people of the country from the clutches of the enemy was the name of a fiery thrill, bloody struggle and death struggle for independence in the history of Bengali nation. He is the great architect of the Bengali nation, the forerunner of the freedom struggle, the best Bengali of the millennium, the architect of the independent sovereign Bangladesh, the dreamer of exploitation free Golden Bengal, the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on 17 March 1920 in Tungipara of Gopalganj district. His father's name was Sheikh Lutfar Rahman and his mother's name was Saira Khatun.

The shepherd king of Bengal, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Dhaka University are one and the same. He passed BA from Calcutta Islamia College and was admitted in the law department of Dhaka University. There his roll number was 16 6 and the hall was Sir Salimullah Muslim Hall.

Bangabandhu was involved in politics even before he was admitted to Dhaka University. As a result, he was admitted to Dhaka University and on 4 January 1948 he formed the East Pakistan Muslim Chhatra League with Fazlul Haq Hall. He became the first president on 16 March 1948. In his Unfinished Memoirs, Bangabandhu wrote thus, 'We all joined the general student meeting of the university at 10 am on the 16th march. Suddenly someone suggested my name to take the seat of president. Everyone supported. This is my first time presiding over the famous Amtala.' (The Unfinished Memoirs, p. 96) He was also imprisoned in 1948 for his active participation in the language movement.

When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a second year student of the law department in 1949, there was dissatisfaction among the fourth class employees of Dhaka University. The monthly salaries of the employees were negligible. They did not even have a place to stay. The workers went on strike from March 3. Students of Dhaka University boycotted classes on March 3 in support of their strike. A meeting was held at the university at 12 noon on March 5 after a full student strike called by the East Pakistan Muslim Chhatra League. As long as the demands of the workers are not met by the authorities, the sympathetic strike will continue.

As per the directions of the provincial government, the Dhaka University authorities declared the university closed indefinitely on 11 March to thwart the movement. 5 people including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were fined 15 rupees. They are asked to give a bond; the student will be canceled due to non-payment. In protest of this decision of the authorities, a strike was called on April 20, 1949 at the university. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested. At the time of his arrest, he was asked to pay a fine and bond to get his studentship back, but he remained adamant.

From student leader to national leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman participated in all democratic and logical movements and struggles of Dhaka University. When 35 people, including Sheikh Mujib, were arrested in the Agartala conspiracy case in 1968, the Pakistani government withdrew the case in the face of intense agitation and was forced to release Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other accused. That is why on 23 February 1969, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was conferred the title of Bangabandhu in front of millions of people at Ramna Racecourse Ground.

Shortly after the declaration of independence in the early hours of March 26, 1971, the Pakistan Army arrested Bangabandhu and took him to Dhaka Cantonment. Three days later, he was taken by Pakistan to Layalpur Jail (now Faisalabad). In the face of international pressure, the government of Pakistan was forced to release Bangabandhu on January 8, 1972. After his release from prison in Pakistan, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned home on January 10, 1972.

According to an article by author Ajay Dasgupta, Bangabandhu came to the Vice-Chancellor's office on 20 July (1972) to express his displeasure over the unjust and reckless behavior of a group of students. In the newly independent Bangladesh, a number of students, including the vice-chancellor, had blocked some good teachers, demanding that they pass the exams without taking them. Vice Chancellor Professor Mozaffar Ahmad Chowdhury did not call the police. News of the blockade reached Bangabandhu. He also did not order the police to take action against the students. He rushed to Dhaka University and reprimanded the students for making unjust demands for auto promotion. Expressed intense resentment for disrespecting teachers. The next day there was a rally of Chhatra League at Suhrawardy Udyan. There, he called on the members of the student body to remain uncompromising against any unjust demands, including passing exams.

Bangabandhu made a great contribution to the autonomy of Dhaka University, which resulted in the issuance of the Dhaka University Order in 1973. He was even invited by the Dhaka University authorities to give a reception to Bangabandhu on 15 August 1975. Because Bangabandhu was then the President and Chancellor of Dhaka University. But even though the whole Dhaka University was ready for his arrival, on the morning of 15 August 1975, a group of brutal army brutally killed Bangabandhu and his family. The Bengali nation lost a great leader forever. The whole nation is stunned. Bangladesh comes to a halt.

In 2010, at a syndicate meeting of Dhaka University, the decision to cancel Bangabandhu's studentship was withdrawn. The chair that was made on the occasion of Bangabandhu's arrival on 15 August 1975 was left behind. Later in 1999 Bangabandhu Chair was established in the history department of the university. And the certificate that was supposed to be given to him on that day was handed over to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu in 2010. It is worth mentioning that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall which was established in 1988 was renamed as Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2014. Moreover, the building was inaugurated on March 7 in 2018 to commemorate the speech of March 7 at Rokeya Hall. Besides, Bangabandhu Tower has been built for the fourth class employees.

1920 to 2021 is not only 101 years, it is a history of 101 centuries, there is a country involved, a flag; At the same time, thousands of students including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are being enlightened in the light of this unique educational institution. Dhaka University is not only a reminiscence of tradition, but also a beacon of prosperity for new achievements.  One day Bangabandhu's golden Bengal will be established.


Afroza Nice Rima is a Senior Information Officer, Bangladesh Secretariat, PID, Dhaka.