History has repeated itself in Bangladesh. Once again there has been a coup in the country and this time too the mastermind was the disgruntled rebel group of the army. The family is also that of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 49 years ago, the one and a half hour rebellion had frightened the whole world and this time too, a few hours proved to be too much for Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for 15 years. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in the year 1975. 8 members of the family were also killed. The mob or we can say the rebel army of the same country in which Sheikh Mujibur gave freedom to the country and earned the title of ‘Father of the Nation’ took his life and today the rebel army has also become the enemy of his daughter’s life.
On Monday, within 45 minutes, Sheikh Hasina lost power and had to flee the country. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, the two daughters of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had to come to India to keep themselves safe. 49 years ago, the one and a half hour rebellion not only led to a coup, but the rebels also caused months of instability in the country. At the time of the incident, Sheikh Mujibur’s two daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were in Germany and they had to take refuge in India for 6 years to save their lives. What was that whole story and what is the story of that rebellion? Learn…
There are two major parties in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Awami League. After the formation of Bangladesh (in 1971), the command of BNP was in the hands of Ziaur Rahman and the President of Awami League was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After Bangladesh gained independence, Sheikh Mujibur became the first Prime Minister and led the government for three years. Sheikh Mujibur is considered the founder of Bangladesh. But, on the morning of 15 August 1975, the Prime Minister’s residence located at Dhan Mandi in Dhaka was suddenly attacked.
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This attack was carried out by the rebel group of the army for the coup. Sheikh Mujibur and 8 members of his family were massacred. It was a matter of luck that Sheikh Mujibur’s two daughters were not present at the spot. Commerce Minister Khondaker Mustaq Ahmed immediately took control of the government and himself remained the head of the interim government from 15 August 1975 to 6 November 1975.
Sheikh Mujibur is remembered as Banga-Bandhu
India has always remembered Sheikh Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujiburahman as Banga-Bandhu, which means true friend of Bengal. India was the first country in the world to recognize Bangladesh as a nation and fought a war with Pakistan to make East Pakistan Bangladesh. India won this war in just 13 days.
That night of 1975… the army killed Sheikh Mujibur and his family
It was the year 1975. At that time Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and there was a lot of discontent against him in the army. The result of which was that on the night of 15 August 1975, some army units launched an operation against him in Dhaka and all this was completed in one and a half hours. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had three houses in Dhaka and that night the army raided all three of his houses. First of all, the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s relative Abdur Rab Seranibat was attacked. He was also a minister in Sheikh Mujibur’s government. The army shot him dead. After that, another army unit attacked Sheikh Mujibur’s house in the night itself.
Meanwhile, his personal secretary called the police several times but got no help. During this time, the army entered the residence and first shot his son Sheikh Kamal, who was standing on the stairs. After that, Sheikh Kamal’s wife, his younger son Sheikh Jamal, his wife and later Sheikh Mujiburahman were also killed. During the attack, Sheikh Mujiburahman’s younger son Nasir pleaded with the army and told them that he was not in politics. Despite this, he was also killed.
Sheikh Hasina and her sister lived in Delhi for 6 years
Sheikh Mujibur’s youngest son Rasal was only 10 years old at that time, but the army killed him by firing bullets. When all this was happening in the house, another army contingent reached the house of Fazlul Haque Moni, who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s nephew. The army killed him and his family brutally. Among those killed was Fazlul Haque Moni’s wife, who was pregnant at that time. But the army did not spare her either. In this way, Sheikh Mujibur and other members of his family were killed that night. However, his daughter Sheikh Hasina and younger daughter Sheikh Rehana survived this attack. Because when the coup happened in Bangladesh in 1975, both the sisters were in Germany.
At that time Sheikh Hasina was 28 years old. She was with her husband. Sheikh Hasina’s husband was a nuclear scientist and lived in Germany. Later both the sisters reached India and the then Indira Gandhi government gave them shelter in Delhi. They lived in Delhi from 1975 to 1981 i.e. for 6 years. At that time their address in Delhi was 56, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar-3. Later she shifted to a house in Pandara Park area of Delhi. Now a commercial complex has been built at the place where she lived in Lajpat Nagar. Earlier this place was given to the Embassy of Bangladesh. Which remained there till the year 2003.
Sheikh Hasina remained in power for 15 years
Sheikh Hasina reached Bangladesh in 1981. After that she started raising her voice for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League had to face defeat in the 1991 elections. But she continued to struggle and the party won the 1996 elections. Sheikh Hasina became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She held power for 15 consecutive years and has become Prime Minister five times so far.
Why did the Bangladeshi army revolt in 1975?
There were many factors behind the revolt of the Bangladeshi army in 1975. These included political instability, economic problems and authoritarian rule. In fact, after independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh faced many challenges in the process of establishing itself as a new nation. After the Liberation War, the country faced economic problems on a large scale. Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujiburahman led the government after the country’s independence. His government adopted a democratic constitution, but later adopted an authoritarian stance. After independence, Bangladesh faced serious economic problems. Poverty, unemployment and food crisis worsened the condition of the common people. Due to the government’s inability to deal with these problems, discontent among the people increased.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded ‘BAKSAL’ (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) in 1975, which was a one-party system. This system eliminated political opposition and freedom, which led to growing discontent among a section of the public and the army. The soldiers felt that their role and sacrifice were not being given due respect. Some factions of the army felt that Sheikh Mujibur’s government was corrupt and inefficient. An atmosphere of political instability and violence increased. Groups dissatisfied with the policies and decisions of the government took the path of rebellion. On 15 August 1975, some factions of the army revolted and killed Sheikh Mujibur along with his family. After this rebellion, political instability in the country increased further. The army controlled power for many years.
What is the full story of Khaleda Zia’s husband’s rebellion?
In fact, Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman played a major role during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and was known as a heroic freedom fighter. After independence, he held a high position in the Bangladesh Army. In 1975, when the rebellion against the Prime Minister came out in the open in the country, Ziaur Rahman was the chief military officer at that time. However, he was not directly involved in this rebellion. Some majors involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur were controlling most of the army affairs from Bangabhaban. After the coup, the then Army Chief General Shafiullah was removed and Ziaur Rahman was given the leadership of the army. But political instability continued in Bangladesh. In November 1975, Ziaur Rahman seized power through another coup and became the President of the country.
After becoming president, Ziaur Rahman tried to bring political stability to Bangladesh. He allowed new political parties and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Under his rule, Bangladesh took steps towards economic reforms. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in Chittagong during a military revolt in 1981. After his death, his wife Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of BNP. Her full name is Begum Khaleda Zia. Later she became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was the Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. Several corruption cases have been registered against Khaleda Zia. In 2018, she was convicted in a corruption case and sentenced to jail. She was currently under house arrest. After the coup on Monday, the President ordered her release. Currently, Khaleda Zia’s health condition is critical and she has been hospitalized several times for medical treatment.
Why did Sheikh Hasina and Rehana have to leave the country?
A fortnight ago, students started a movement against reservation in government jobs in Bangladesh. This movement reached the streets from colleges and universities and then turned into a nationwide protest. As a result, Sheikh Hasina’s government fell. All this happened within 24 hours. On Sunday, there was a clash between the police and the protesters in the movement. At least 94 people were killed in the violence. 13 policemen also died in the mob attack. About 300 people have been killed in the country within 15 days. The government tried to end these protests strictly. Bullets were fired. The army came on the streets, but the movement did not stop. On Monday, the student wing took out a march in Dhaka. Sheikh Hasina’s problems increased due to the rebellion of a faction of the army and an atmosphere of chaos was created. Later, the army officers gave Sheikh Hasina 45 minutes to leave the Prime Minister’s residence.
At 2:30 pm, Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country in an army helicopter from the Prime Minister’s residence. Her sister Sheikh Rehana was also with her. On Monday evening, the President addressed the country and informed that Sheikh Hasina had submitted her resignation from the post of Prime Minister to him today and he had accepted it. The President said, it has been decided to dissolve the Parliament and form an interim government as soon as possible. The army will also take steps to normalize the current chaotic situation. The interim government will hold general elections as soon as possible.
‘Now appeal for peace in Bangladesh’
He said that the meeting also unanimously decided to release Bangladesh Nationalist Party President and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. President Shahabuddin also ordered the release of all students arrested during the protests. He said that the families of the victims of the anti-discrimination student movement will be compensated and all necessary help will be provided for the treatment of the injured. He urged political parties to normalize the law and order situation in the country and stop activities like looting. He said, I am instructing the armed forces to take strict measures to protect the lives and properties of the people and state properties. I call upon everyone to come forward to ensure communal harmony, safety of minorities and protect government property. Those involved in murder and violence will be brought to justice through fair investigation. He said that all offices and courts in the country will open from Tuesday.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)