Bangabandhu started struggle against injustice in childhood

DHAKA, Aug 11 (BSS) - Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started political struggle in his childhood and continued throughout his life, recalls his close associate Sirajul Islam Chowdhury.

Mujib's protest against injustice and repression was visible when he was a student of Gopalganj Mission School, Chowdhury told BSS.

He said the political life of Bangabandhu started during the period from 1942 to 1947, but its foundation was laid when he was a student of class seven in 1938.

Sirajul Islam Chowdhury was the chief coordinator of 1954 Jukta Front election in Gopalganj from where Sheikh Mujib contested the election against Muslim League leader Wahiduzzaman.

Octogenarian Chowdhury said, "Mujib Bhai's teacher Hamid Master, an activist of anti-British movement, played a role in the development of a struggling mindset in him."

Sheikh Mujib was a man of tough and soft personality, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury and recalled an incident of January 16, 1938 when Prime Minister of undivided Bengal Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haq and Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardi came to Gopalganj on a visit.

"As the dignitaries came to the Mission School as part of their tour, Mujib Bhai stood on their way along with a number of his classmates. The headmaster tried to prevent them, but adamant Mujib Bhai said he will not give way to the ministers unless they make arrangements for repairing the dilapidated roof of their hostel," Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said.

As the message reached Sher-e-Bangla, he allocated Taka 1200 from his optional fund and pacified Mujib and his team. Then Suhrawardi sent a slip and called Sheikh Mujib to the Dakbanglo, Chowdhury recalled.

"All used to respect Sheikh Mujib, but he was a little bit different to me. He was my political father, my guru, my Miah Bhai. His influence on my life is immense. As much as I saw him, I became fascinated with the greatness of his heart," said an emotional Sirajul Islam Chowdhury.

He said once Bangabandhu was attacked with beriberi disease at the age of 12. His eyes were affected. He was sent to Kolkata for improved treatment. A pall of gloom descended on Gopalganj. At least 500 people came out to accompany him. There was hardly any house where food was cooked on that day, Chowdhury said and added that the SDO [sub-divisional officer] of Gopalganj too respected Sheikh Mujib and used to invite him for tea.

Sirajul Islam Chowdhury recalled the memory of a public meeting in Faridpur in 1953 where Sheikh Mujib was present along with many veteran political leaders. The public meeting turned into a human sea in the afternoon. None was eager to listen to the main speakers.

They all wanted to hear young Sheikh Mujib. Then he addressed the meeting for 45 minutes and referred to the exploitation by Pakistanis, the rights of the people of East Pakistan to wage a
movement and speak in their mother tongue.

"After the meeting, an order was issued to arrest Mujib Bhai. But the then district magistrate of Faridpur Altaf Gawhar informed the authorities that there might be a riot, if he was arrested. Then the arrest order was not executed," said Sirajul Islam Chowdhury.

Bangabandhu was elected unopposed the general secretary of
student council of Kolkata Islamia College in 1946, Chowdhury
said. He recalled that he had played a leading role on behalf of
the college to prevent a communal riot in 1946.

Chowdhury recalled a meeting between Bangabandhu and the West
Pakistani leaders in Maree where he was also present. The
Pakistani leaders included Mamtaz Doulatnama, Mian Arif Iftekhar
and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Bangabandhu asked the Pakistani leaders to remove disparity
between the two provinces and said in English, "If you do not
correct yourself forthwith, it is time for you to leave us so
that we can fight our own war against destiny."

At one stage, he also said, "The representation of Bengalis
in the armed forces of Pakistan is microscopic and almost nil."
This was Sheikh Mujib - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
lamented Sirajul Islam Chowdhury.

Finally, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury recalled an incident
involving Nachol Zamindar spouse Ela Mitra. After formation of
Jukta Front government in 1954, a 21-point demand, including
release of political detainees, was placed. Accordingly, all the
political detainees were freed, except Ela Mitra.

"Then Mujib Bhai arranged parole for Ela Mitra in a single
day for her medical treatment," Sirajul Islam Chowdhury said and
added that hundreds of such incidents involving Bangabandhu could
be cited.

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