From 26 March to 16 December 1971: Bangladesh’s Blood-Spilling Journey Towards Freedom

 

Historical Independence Day and historical Victory Day are celebrated every year during the English calendar month of March and December. The day will no doubt be encrypted in the annals of global political and social history. It is no doubt a proud moment not only for the Bengalis but also among people of other languages and religions. Bengalis are a vast race. As per statistics goes by there are in all 275 people speak Bengalis all around the globe. In this regard, Bengalis are not only referred to as Bengalis from Bangladesh but also from India. Such as, in India, Bengalis are spoken in Indian states like West Bengal and North Eastern state of Tripura. Even apart from the above named states, Bengalis are well established in many states and union territories in their respective professional and academic disciplines along with other nations of the globe. It is for the cognizance of many of my elite readers why I have coined my piece as “Mohan Vijay Diwas’or ‘Historical Vijay Diwas’. The reason behind is logical. Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) was under the tyranny of the then West Pakistaniruling for around 24 years since the bifurcation of Independent India, into two parts, India and Pakistan. It was the result of long drawn struggle between West Pakistani ruling vis-à-vis to that of East Pakistan. The language movement from the years 1947 to 1952 to wrest the noble legacies of Bengali language and literature finally culminated in ‘Historical Victory Day’or ‘Mohan Vijay Diwas’in the year 1971 on December 16. On achieving the coveted Independence Day on the above year and date the newly independent nation has been crowned as Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. The constitution of this newly independent was promulgated in the year 1972 on March 26. Bengalis across the globe felt deeply elated and proud about the birth of this one and only independent nation the laurels of which is still embedded in our mind and heart.

Mahan Vijay Diwas or Historical Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh will always remain enshrined in the annals of global political and social history. It was on this particular day in the year 1971 on December 16, erstwhile East Pakistan has achieved independence from the clutches of the then West Pakistani tyrannical ruling. Prior to this particular date Bengalis had the major bereavement in their life in losing all their prerogatives on the aftermath of partition in the year 1947 on August 14 and August 15 respectively. The way the Bengalis became so badly heartbroken which was partially salvaged in the year 1971 on December 16. Though Bengalis who lost their land in the then East Bengal are now more or less settled in Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, parts of Assam, New Delhi, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Mumbai etc plus rest of the globe. Every year the glorious moments of December 16 and February 21 during every English calendar year. On account of these reasons the mind of Bengalis become so euphoric which we could not imagine at all from our frame of mind. At least Bengalis feel dearly from their heart that the noble legacies of our culture and literature have at least been salvaged by one and only Bengali nation in the history of global politics by the name of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Rationalistically speaking we find true heritage of Bengalis are preserved sincerely and dedicatedly by Bangladesh. Such as, Bengalisfrom India dearly reminisce the noble legacies and works of Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Anisuzzaman, Abul Monsur Ahmad, Humayun Ahmad, Imdadul Haq Milon, Jhumpa Lahiri, Tahmina Anam, Mohammad Nasimuddin, Professor Haider Ali Khan, and Professor Abul Kashem etc have restored to glorious heights. Also because of the birth of Bangladesh, golden legacies of Rabindra Sangeet has risen up to golden heights of international stature. Hence it can be proved that Mahan Vijay Diwas has no doubt cast great impact on Bengalis from not only Bangladesh but also from India plus rest of the globe.

Every year when Mahan Vijay Diwas or Historical Victory Day is celebrated during the month of December then there has been fullest participation of all consulates in Kolkata, embassies in New Delhi and Dhaka. The day is no doubt historical as Bangladesh has no doubt cast good impressions on not only around the country but to all the nook and corners of the globe. In Kolkata, when the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, organises a mammoth gathering at DHC premises. There we find the quality of participation from elite societies of Kolkata as well as diplomatic missionaries of the city seems to my mind has been an exemplary one. There has been massive media coverage on the event by various television channels, print Medias of India as well as of other parts of the globe which glaringly reflects about the popularity of this historic event. Summing up the above views, one point always surmise my mind that celebration of Vijay Diwas or Historical Victory Day will always remain a milestone in our heart and mind. As days and time passes by, Bengalis will always feel Vijay Diwas will remain enshrined in the storehouse of our memories.


Mahbubul Islam is a
lawyer and former
Secretary of
World Peace Council.