MM Rezaul Karim in London, 1971
They were there seeking leadership from an official to intensify the freedom movement and to lead them on in London. He pledged his allegiance to the Mujibnagar government and straight away set to work with proficiency and skill, establishing contacts and lobbying with different governments, oppositions parties in parliaments in different European capitals, organizations, and individuals.
At the time of defection, he was a Counselor in the Pakistan High Commission. Reza Bhai defected two days after the grand rally at Trafalgar Square which was also addressed by liberal party MP Peter Shore and other British community leaders. He was constantly in the media, projecting and advocating his arguments for nothing short of a free and independent Bangladesh and that a genocide in the eastern province of Pakistan was taking place. Reza Bhai was interviewed by David Frost on Panorama.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Justice Abu Sayeed Chowhury was the Special Envoy of the Mujibnagar government and was in London from time to time, he along with Reza Bhai, Mrs Lulu Bilquis Banu, Mrs Munni Rahman, Barrister Shahjahan, and others were a team to put forth their ideologies into action .
Reza Bhai worked relentlessly to pursue other East Pakistanis in the Pakistan Foreign Ministry to defect in favour of Bangladesh. It was indeed a difficult task to convince. He very adeptly with masterful negotiating skills did succeed in convincing many to follow suit.
Bangladesh became independent on December 16, 1971. Our green and red coloured flag was hoisted by Reza Bhai at the Bangladesh Chancery in Pembridge Gardens and he was the first Head of Chancery to head the Bangladesh Mission in London. It was a proud moment for us all.
On a cold, misty January morning of 1972, a blue and white British Royal Air Force aircraft carried the great freed leader of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Pakistani prison to London en route to the youngest independent nation at that time. Rezaul Karim was there to receive the great leader and the father of our nation.
It was a historic moment and day in all our lives and especially for Reza Bhai. He accompanied Bangabandhu throughout his stay in London and shared many emotional and private moments with him. There were tears of joy and happiness for both of them.
After retirement, Reza Bhai chose to do social services in his ancestral home in Kushtia and take up writing for just causes and also to write his own memoirs. Somehow, he got involved in BNP politics and was an advisor in the present government. But he had courage enough to call a spade a spade.
In his home he had portraits of both Bangabandhu and President Ziaur Rahman on the same table. President Ziaur Rahman was a friend of the family and gave each of our husbands a share in what they deserved. I have known both the leaders since childhood and seen them visit our parents' home in Kolkata and Dhaka.
Reza Bhai divided his last publication into two parts, one paying tribute and stating his experiences working with Bangabandhu as prime minister and the latter to President Ziaur Rahman. The balance drawn in doing so was masterly in diplomacy. He did it with courage and fortitude.
It was often said to me and my husband by one late foreign minister of the previous government and others that, with his contribution in the Liberation War, he perhaps would be a lawmaker if he had chosen their side. Perhaps they are right.
He deserved better in the BNP as I know how laboriously and meticulously he did all their paperwork during the last elections in 2001. I am glad that in death the nation gave him the recognition of a patriot and a freedom fighter.