Bangabandhu in the Eyes of an Ex-Student Leader

 

Advocate Md Nurul Islam Thandu is a former President of Rajshahi University Students' Union (RUCSU) during 1973-'74 session. As a RUCSU leader he came in close touch with the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a man of many virtues and human qualities.

Thandu reminisced before this writer some of his memorable moments with the greatest Bengalee of all-time, who believed that morality is a key ingredient of good leadership. While narrating the untold stories of Bangabandhu, he first of all acknowledged with gratitude Bangabandhu's role behind his growth as   a leader. "In 1965, Bangabandhu made me the Convener of the District Chhatra League that he announced in Rajshahi the previous year. He has reared me up as a leader. He was a fatherly figure who loved me like his own child. He gave me an advice to love people and not to make enmity with anyone." As per his instruction, the one-time RUCSU leader tries his best to lead his life. "In my private life, lots of people did harm to me, but remembering Bangabandhu's advice I never took any revenge," he stated. "Bangabandhu's courage, patriotism and love for people and his ever preparedness to sacrifice life for them-all the qualities have attracted me towards him," he mentioned.

While deliberating the past events, Nurul Islam said that during post-independence period, internal conflict among students surfaced to the peak. As a consequence, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) became powerful in entire North Bengal. The entire region turned into a fort of Sirajul Alam Khan. As it went to the grip of Jasad, Bangabandhu reposed on Thandu the task of reorganising the Awami League there. "Mujib Bhai told me to again get admitted to the university to break the fort of Sirajul Islam Khan. Within a year, I reorganized the party. In the meantime, RUCSU election arrived in 1973 when I vied for the post of VP. Shamsul Huq Tuku contested for GS post and Fazlur Rahman Patal wrestled for Pro-VP post. Our entire panel captured 142 out of 144 posts. Bangabandhu became highly pleased at my performance. He reacted in this manner: "I lost my kingdom, but got back my crown." 

As the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu took me to the Rashtropoti Bhaban (President's House) sometime in 1974. Abu Syeed Chowdhury was the incumbent President of the country. Pointing at me he said: "My dear President, do you know this boy?" The President nodded as if he knows me. But, Bangabandhu said: "No, no you don't know him. His name is Thandu, but he is always hot. He has saved both my party as well as my honour in entire North Bengal. After sometime he took me to his Dhanmondi-32 residence entertaining me at the President House. At his personal residence, he posed a question to Bangamata: "Dear Hasu's mother do you know this boy?" As  Bangamata knew me earlier, she replied in the affirmative. But Bangabandhu said: "No, no you don't know him. He is Thandu, but he is always very hot." Such was the dealing of the country's architect with a party worker what is indeed a quality of a leader!

Thandu informed that after the country's independence a conspiracy started against Bangabandhu. He disclosed that he maintained a warm relationship with Jasad leader ASM Abdur Rab. "We used to address each other as 'Tui.' I regularly went to his room where I used to stay till midnight or 1:00am/ 2:00 am. In Rab's room meetings of their group were held. There it was discussed as to how socialism flourished in different countries of the world. "Nowhere in the globe socialism came into being that is led by a nationalist leader. Bangabandhu is not a difference, but because of strategic reason it will not be proper to speak against him, they conspired. From their discussion it was evident that something wrong is going to happen in due course of time. I categorically told Bangabandhu that Sirajul Alam Khan would betray him, but he did not pay heed to my warning. Jasadwallahs frequently said: "Sheikh Mujib is a betrayer, who has betrayed with socialism. Will it be proper to do politics with him? Jasad loyalists replied no, no." They confused people saying that Sheikh Mujib had betrayed with socialism by forming a parliamentary system of government.

In reality, Bangabandhu wanted a socialistic type of economy, not communism. He believed in Allah and socialism, while others were disbelievers. It was the main difference between him and others. He used to tell that socialism will be like the light and air of this land. He wanted a welfare state where people will have the right to practice their own religion.  People will have social, religious, cultural and economic rights. He wanted to establish an ideal state where there will be no disparity among the people.

Here is Thandu's another revelation. He said that he had come to Bangabandhu's house at Dhanmondi-32 on the previous day of his murder. There joyous celebration of Sheikh Kamal's marriage with Sultana Kamal, a prominent athlete of the country, was underway. He met with Kamal and said: "Sorry Kamal Bhai I could not attend your marriage ceremony. Please, don't mind my dear younger brother." Sheikh Kamal replied: "So what? You have done many things for me. You could have missed me if you came sometime later. My father will go to Dhaka University tomorrow. There, I have my duty." Telling this he left the house. Later, Bangabandhu fed me sweets of his son's wedding with much affection.  He looked worried, but Thandu did not understand the reason of his worry. The next day, after the terrible murder of Bangabandhu, he received a phone call at around 5:00 at dawn. The caller said: "Bangabandhu has been murdered." Thandu asked "What are you saying?" "From the other part of the phone I was asked to switch on radio. As soon as I switched on the radio, I heard-- this is Radio Bangladesh. I am Major Dalim speaking. Sheikh Mujib has been killed following guidance of Khondker Mustaque Ahmed. Army has taken over power." Major Dalim was announcing the same statement time and again. Thandu said: "At once, I became decisive and took a decision. Curfew was imposed. I knocked all available MPs asking them to leave their houses after 12:00 o'clock. I advised them to either shift to their relatives' houses or board at hotels changing names and identities. They followed my instructions and went into hiding."

Here is another untold story of history that Thandu revealed before the nation. According to him, if he fails to inform it to the nation then history will be written in a distorted manner what already began just after the murder of Bangabandhu along with his family members on the black night of August 15, 1975.

This story will be incomplete if the heroic freedom fighter's relationship with Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, also the country's Prime Minister, is not mentioned here. In recognition to Thandu's patriotism and honesty, the Prime Minister reposed on him the duty and responsibility of development of semi-desert Bharendra region by making him the Chairman of the Bharendra Bahumukhi Unnyan Kartripakkhya, Rajshahi (Bhrendra Multilateral Development Authority), Rajshahi for two consecutive terms. During his tenure, Thandu turned the semi-desert barren region into a fertile locality. Local people are indebted to him for changing their fate towards betterment. The entire nation pays tributes to him for his extraordinary achievement. The former student leader is currently a respectable member of Bangladesh Awami League Central Executive Committee. Besides, he is the President of Rajshahi University Central Alumni Association, Swadhinata Academy Foundation and Shaheed M Monsur Ali Smrity Sangsad. He is also the founder Secretary General of Bangabandhu Foundation.


Z A M Khairuzzaman is a
freelance writer