In memory of Tajuddin Ahmad

"The first Prime Minister of free Bangladesh"- a great phrase, associated with great honor and dignity. Yes, Tajuddin Ahmad who happened to be the first Prime Minister of free Bangladesh rightly deserved the honor and dignity as stated above. He was a leader of greater ability and genuine farsightedness. His flawless evaluation and prompt decision created a stronger unity and solidarity among the freedom fighters.

It was the unique wisdom in the character that enabled him to consolidate the unity among the all freedom-loving people, coming from different areas of Bangladesh. It was his able-leadership that kept the freedom fighters in one piece. He saw to it that no anti-liberation element could infiltrate and cause any crack in the unity among the freedom fighters. Unquestionably, the united resistance of our freedom fighters eventually led to the ultimate liberation of our country.

Tajuddin Ahmad was born on July23, 1925 in the village of Dardaria near Kapashia. He had a religious upbringing as his parents were conservative Muslims. His talent was noticed in the early days of his school life. Two elderly revolutionary leaders of his area, recommended him to be admitted in the Saint Nicholas Institute in Kaliganj. Here also, young Tajuddin's intelligence impressed the headmaster who later advised him to get admitted in Muslims Boys High School in Dhaka. His admission in the Saint Gregory High was an important step in his life.

Tajuddin stood first in all exams and having won the M.E scholarship securing the first place in entire Dhaka district, he was able to draw attention of many famous people of the city. Tajuddin memorized the whole Qur'an, and in 1942 when the WW2 started, he took the civil defense training. In 1944, he secured the 12th position in the matriculation examination. Again in 1948, he got the 4th position in his Higher Secondary Certificate Exam. He obtained B.A (Hons) in Economics from Dhaka University.

From his school life, Tajuddin got involved in politics and social welfare activities. In 1954, as a candidate of Jukta Front, he defeated the then general secretary of Muslim League by a big margin. While being in jail, Tajuddin took part in the law exam and achieved B.A degree in law. The death of many people during the disastrous famine in 1350 (Bangla year), caused a scar in the deep of his heart. He got the people together and established a grain- store to help the villagers in case of food shortage. Once he donated blood to save a person who got seriously wounded by a bullet. But his death, caused a lot of pain to Tajuddin.

Tajuddin Ahmad was actively associated with the politics for the emancipation of our people. In 1943, he became a member of the progressive Muslim League. The East Pakistan Students League was formed on January04, 1948. As a founder member, he shouldered very vital responsibilities. Between 1953 and 1957, he was the general secretary of Dhaka District Awami League. In 1955, Tajuddin was the social welfare and cultural secretary. In 1964, Tajuddin played a very important role in reviving and bolstering Awami League, and in the same year he added new blood to the party by becoming the Organizing Secretary of the party.

Tajuddin Ahmad joined the Lahore Conference of the opposition parties with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1966, and he declared the six-point demands in that gathering. He was one of Sheikh Mujib's close associates in the preparing historical six-points. He was arrested on May08, 1966 for propagating six-points. He got released on February12, 1969. In the general election of 1970, Tajuddin was elected a member of the Pakistan National Assembly.

Pakistan refused to accept the people's verdict which they gave through ballots, and they started to conspire with the consent of the army to destroy what the people of the then East Pakistan achieved through the election. In 1971, military ruler, general Yahya, abruptly declared suspension of the general assembly meeting. Immediately the non-cooperation movement started under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During this struggle, Tajuddin Ahmad demonstrated uncanny skill of organizing, and carrying forward the movement against the Pakistani tyrants. He extended extremely valuable assistance while Sheikh Mujib met the generals to bring home the demands of the people of this part of Pakistan.

On March25, 1971, Pakistani defense forces indulged in systematic killing of our people. They arrested our great leader, Sheikh Mujib and took him prisoner in Pakistan. The Bengalis started armed struggle, and in absence of Bangabandhu, Tajuddin Ahmad took the responsibility. On the historic day of April10, 1971, Tajuddin was unanimously elected the Prime Minister. The April 17 of the same year, witnessed the official oath-taking of government in Mujibnagar. The camp office of the Prime Minister was established on No. 8 Theatre Road in Calcutta, and there were only two small rooms in that camp office.

Tajuddin used them as office cum residence. Food used to come from the nearby dormitory, and he used to wash his own clothes. He devoted all his mind and energy in the service of the government. His audience was difficult to find and if anyone came to see him on important purpose, he spared a few moments in the very early hour of the day or at night. He slept less during the entre duration of the liberation war. He was a man of strong principle. He was never an opportunist, and he never was ready to accept anything less than complete freedom of Bangladesh. As a Prime Minister, he had to take some harsh decisions for the benefit of Bangladesh, and even in those decisions he showed a remarkable wisdom. Tajuddin's mind was completely occupied with the thought of fruitful ideas.

Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad possessed the rare quality of making neutral review and precise evaluation of a situation. He could rise above personal emotion, and put the right person in the right place at the appropriate time. He engaged quite a few persons as secretaries, and divided Bangladesh into eleven political zones. The zonal administrators were very carefully selected, and they were particularly instructed to make sure that no breach showed up among the freedom fighters. His fare dealing won respect and submission of all them.

Tajuddin once thought that the votes of the Indian Urdu speaking Muslims were vital for the Congress, and if they misunderstood the real situation which forced the Bangladeshis to take arms against the Pakistani army, they might be a headache for the Congress Party which was in power then. So he called Advocate Mohammad Nurul Quader and advised him to take necessary steps to meet the influential Muslim leaders and editors of Urdu news papers for a threadbare discussion about the cause of our struggle.  Advocate Nurul Quader travelled all the way to Bombay to meet some Muslim dignitaries. It was a very important diplomatic move which had to be done maintaining total secrecy. Tajuddin's wise guidance finally made it a success.

After winning freedom, Tajuddin continued to rule until Sheikh Mujb returned to Bangladesh on January10, 1972. He took the charge of the ministry of finance and planning. He resigned on October26, 1974. And then in the dark night of August 15, 1975, Sheikh Mujib was assassinated along with his family. Tajuddin was put under house-arrest, later he was sent to the Dhaka Central Jail where he was brutally murdered with three other leaders of the Mujibnagar government.

Although they have killed Tajuddin, the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh, he will remain alive in our hearts forever. The killers, the supporters and the beneficiaries are all guilty of homicide. Divine justice is there. It will follow its own course. The perpetrators will have to pay for their inhuman crime-sooner or later.

The writer is Principal of ABC International School, Narayanganj