Let history speak

In the manner the controversy surrounding Bangabandhu and Ziaur Rahman has been played out belies as much history as common sense. When the Pakistan army cracked down on the fateful night of 25th March 1971, the people did not wait for any one to tell them what to do; they just spontaneously rose against the barbarism that was unleashed by the murderous Pakistan army and helped realise the dream for Bangladesh which was dreamt just not by Bangabandhu but by many other illustrious leaders like Maulana Bhashani, Hussain Shahid Suhrahwardy etc. Likewise, even though General Zia announced the declaration of independence, he alone did not lead the fight against the Pakistan army. There were many other brave soldiers like him who just did not happen to be near any radio station to make an announcement like the one General Zia made.

There is a book whose title I still remember but whose author's name I cannot now recollect. The book's title is "People's War". This is a rather short book written on successful revolutions of the last century. In this book, our war of liberation has been mentioned as one of the best examples of a successful people's war where people's war has been defined as one that originates among a people and has the potential of succeeding without external assistance or interference.

Dr. Hossain believes Bangladesh had a brain in Bangabandhu , a soul in Bhashani , an organiser in Tajuddin and a wielder of the sword in Zia. I am however more inclined to recommend to the protagonists to let history be the teller of truth in this case and at the same time to consider that without the unflinching support of the 75 million people of Bangladesh of the time , Bangladesh could never have emerged, no matter how much credit we are interested to give to either Bangabandhu or Ziaur Rahman and the rest.