Remembering March 7, 1971
The month of March is one of the most memorable months for the people of Bangladesh because four important events occurred during this month in 1971. They were postponement of the Pakistan national assembly session on March 3, the famous speech of Bangabandhu on March 7, Pakistan army's treacherous attack on innocent civilians on the night of March 25 and declaration of independence on March 26.
Among these most memorable events is the speech by Bangabandhu in the then Race Course (Suhrawardy Uddayan now) on March 7, 1971. In fact, the speech changed the character of the people of Bangladesh and elevated him to new heights of leadership.
To some political analysts the speech raised him to the height of a statesman, and clearly brought together various strands of thought that Bengalis happened to experience at that time. The speech touched the sentiment of the common people of the country so much that it is still heard throughout the country on March 7 every year.
In the speech, Sheikh Mujib spoke briefly about the state of Pakistan during 1947-71. To him, it was a period of bitterness, a period of martyrs. He referred to the shedding of blood in 1952, the treachery committed by refusing to show respect to the results of the elections of 1954, imposition of martial law in 1958.
The mysterious postponement of the Pakistan National Assembly session, scheduled for March 3, 1971, resulted in the raising of the flag of Bangladesh in Dhaka University campus. This resulted in fear throughout Pakistan that Sheikh Mujib would unilaterally declare independence of Bangladesh.
An eminent politician like Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan stated that Mujib was the last link between the two wings of Pakistan. He pointed out that if Bangabandhu was not allowed to form the government Pakistan would be destroyed.
Truly speaking, by postponing the parliamentary session of March 3, 1971 Yahya destroyed chances for any sensible dialogue with the military junta. Banbabandhu rightly rejected the invitation of President Yahya for a round table conference on March 10. Certainly, he could not step on the blood of the martyrs. At the same time he considered the point carefully that it would not be proper for an elected political leader to take the road to secession. The consideration of such critical and sensitive points indicates his maturity as a politician.
On March 7 the Pakistan army was kept in readiness for pouncing upon Sheikh Mujib and simultaneously start publicising him internationally as a traitor. At this critical stage we found that Sheikh Mujib was an adroit politician fully capable of adjusting to any situation. On one hand, he let everybody know that he was no longer interested in having any link with Pakistan. On the other, he carefully considered a new plan for a parliamentary session on March 25. Thus, Sheikh Mujib showed his political wisdom and sagacity and came out successfully from the dilemma.
Sheikh Mujib placed four demands before the military regime. Two of these demands were withdrawal of martial law and transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people. This move by Sheikh Mujib was supported by the people openly and vociferously.
After the conclusion of the discussion with Yahya, Sheikh Mujib disclosed his premonition and told the people that he might not be around to lead them. In that case, people should close down every thing, and starve the enemy of food and water.
On March 7, Sheikh Mujib in his own style asked the people to start throwing out the Pakistan army to free the country from the enemies of Bangladesh. This appeal for independence was not much short of declaration of independence. Thus there should not be any scope for ambiguity that Sheikh Mujib considered Bangladesh as an independent nation from March 26.
The way of his declaration was unique. As the greatest Bangalee, his language was well understood by all, literate or illiterate, rich or poor, Bangalees. On the memorable day of March 7, he clearly stated that he was bitterly disappointed by the repeated betrayals and treacheries of Pakistan government and there was absolutely no point in continuing the link with that state any farther.
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