Syed Hasan Imam speaks to DOT
The murder of our intellectuals is a permanent scar. The damage that was done to our country on December 14 of 1971 left an eternal void.
The Pakistanis thought that by murdering our intellectuals and talented, they would send us back into a dark age. But they couldn’t fulfill their aspirations. True, we lost our meritorious children, but it was not enough to hold us back. Today we are way ahead of the Pakistanis. In many aspects, Pakistan is still greatly lacking behind. We will continue to move forward, and the barbarians will only be able to stare at us!
One thing makes me glad, and that is the new generation has advanced forward. They are carrying forward the Bangla culture. Our intellectuals had a dream for this country. Were they still alive, those dreams could have been achieved much earlier. But as they are not with us anymore, this generation is bearing the torch of their dreams instead. Today, our country has become a role model in the global stage; we are able to walk alongside the developed nations.
When I look at this generation, my chest swells with pride; the way they have kept the struggle of our Freedom Fighters alive. We still haven’t yet cried for our lost intellectuals, but that scar still makes us tremble. The Pakistanis killed so many intellectuals simultaneously that dark day. When they realized they could not win the war, they resorted to crippling our emerging nation. They ultimately turned to such a barbaric, genocidal design. Even though their conspiracy succeeded that day, Pakistan today is a barbaric country while Bangladesh has advanced forwards towards prosperity.
One thing still remains very unfortunate however – many today are using the title of Freedom Fighter to ally themselves with the conspirators who murdered intellectuals. Will this put those departed souls at rest? I think not.
The interviewee is a cultural personality
Interview by Khairul Alam,
Translated by Abrar Hussain.