Statesman Mawlana Bhashani’s Forgotten Legacy

Nowadays we hardly hear his name in mass media. Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani—one of the greatest leaders of Bangladesh who was the mentor of all the giants of Awami league and smaller parties. He famously said Assalamualaikum to Pakistan long before any other politician did. After our first liberation in 1971, this honest true patriot of our country became vocal against Indian hegemony. It is said he was under house arrest in India during 1971. His famous weekly magazine the Huq Kotha became very popular. Syed Irfanul Bari was this magazine’s Editor. The Huq Kotha was banned after it published the hidden 6 pacts with India. Maulana Bhashani started a long March to Farakka to get the fair share of our water. I think his disciple Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman put him under house arrest in 1974.  He played a major role in the referendum of Sylhet in 1947, along with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sir Syed Muhammad Sadullah of Assam.

I went to see this great man when he was admitted at the PG Hospital, Shahbagh probably in January 1976 (now known as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University). I went in the afternoon to see him and to get an autograph. When I entered the cabin Ataur Rahman Khan (former chief minister of East Pakistan). The cabin was full of visitors; the Mawlana was giving a lecture to Ataur Rahman Khan. He was very upset that President Ziaur Rahman went to China. And he doesn't know. I am quoting exactly what he said in Bengali " Ata Amra ki e desher faltu oia gesi, Ziaur Rahman Shaheb Chine jai, ar Ami janina, faltu kare koi tumi jano, tumi janbana, tumito ar jele jaonai, Faltu oilo jeler special koedir chakor.” Ataur Rahman Khan was quite respectful to Mawlana Bhashani. Ataur Rahman Khan didn't say anything. He just nodding his head, He asked my purpose of visit. I told his Secretary I want to get an autograph of the Hujur (Mawlana Bhashani). He took my diary. I said Hujur Apnar pura namta likhben, he said Amar pura nam Bhashani, but in my diary he wrote Mohammad Abdul Hamid Khan only.

When he died later that year I went to see his dead body at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. May Allah Almighty grant Jannatul Ferdous to this great and honest politician and statesman of our country.

Who should be our Father of the Nation--Mawlana Bhashani, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or General Zia? Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being champion of democracy, declared a death sentence to democracy by banning all opposition parties except his own political contraption Bakshal. Only two persons who were Members of Parliament (MPs) back then refused to join Bakshal--General Osmani and Barrister Moinul Hossain. By forming a paramilitary force named Rakkhi Bahini Sheik Mujib the undisputed leader of Bangladesh became a tyrant and killer. Thousands of young men were killed by this Rakkhi Bahini.

I will inform one incidence to the readers I went to Rajoir ( Faridpur) with late Dr. Abul Khair (eye surgeon) to attend an eye camp for cataract surgery. It was done in a high school, I was a bit curious , whether the Occupational Pakistan Amy went to that village, I asked one villager he said “Daktar Shaheb Amra Pak Army Dehinai, Rakkhibahini Deksi. Then he showed me a wall and said the bullet holes are still present. Rakkhi Bahini killed many of our young men here. I was stunned and shocked. It was 1983 when used to work as a Medical Officer at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka.

In the Quran Allah Almighty mentions in Chapter Hajj verse 78, Millata Abeekum I ibrahim( nation of your father Ibrahim. Can we take Prophet Abraham of Torah and Bible as our father of the nation. The same Prophet Ibrahim, the Jews and Christians call Abraham and claim to be his adherents. My suggestion may sound preposterous to some and some may find logical.

If someone reads any book on religion  in the west, he will find the author mentions the three great monotheistic religions Judaism Christianity And Islam, and Prophet Abraham( Ibrahim) is the Patriarch of these three great faith. Bangladesh can become a pioneer in the world for religious harmony by declaring Prophet Ibrahim as father of the nation who billions of Christians and Muslims and al the Jews revere as their leader.

In our beloved homeland Muslims, Hindus and people of all faiths have been living peacefully for centuries. It was reassuring and serene to see how the devout Muslims are protecting the temples and properties of their Hindu neighbours. I am sure like the mythical bird Phoenix our country will rise from ashes once again In Sha Allah.

 
Dr. Syed Saifuddin Ahmad is a
psychiatrist based in
Sydney, Australia.