Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed

Bangabandho earned the world famous recognition earlier. This time, on 30th October, 2017, his speech got the recognition of world documentary record as a source of zeal, courage, extra-ordinary command and leadership. It is indeed a towering courage for the nation. This time, his speech has been included in international memory book. This is a great honor for us, for all the Bangalees, which will be being carried forward from time immemorial and from generation to generation. Till today, 427 documentary record have been listed. But the 7th March speech is single and unique by nature. In 2014 the book named- “We shall fight on the beaches- the speeches that inspired history.” from U.K. This is a book of 223 pages. The historical speech of 7 March 1971 has been selected and chosen as one of the master pieces in it. The title name of the pieces named as the struggle this time is the struggle for independence. The fire splinted March of 1971 reminds us renaissance, revivalism and revitalization. On 1st March, 1971, the Awami league parliamentary team met in Hotel Purbani for an issue of future strategic points and to prepare the constitutional draft on the basis of six points demand. That day, the then President General Yeahia Khan postponed the National Assembly session through Radio Speech. It was postponed for an indefinite period. The whole country burst in to explosion as an immediate affect of this undue declaration of President Yeahia Khan. Aggrieved and agitated people came to streets with procession and proceeded towards Hotel Purbani, where Awami League parliament members were in a meeting. Bangabandhu joined a press conference in the Hotel with the journalist. He termed it a conspiracy and people from all walks of life raised protests. This spread to every where. The students raised the roaring voices in different streets followed by processions. Dhaka has become a city of procession, where everybody took sticks in their hands.Bangabandhu announced the program of strike (Hartal) in Dhaka on 2nd March, countrywide hartal on 3rd March followed by public meeting on 7th March in Race Course.To resist all such programs, the military ruler of the then Pakistan announced Curfew from 2nd March dawn to dusk. The agitated people violated curfew, some were find fired and killed and many were wounded. Bangabandhu called and warned not to be unruly and break discipline. Rather he advised people to observe the program peacefully. President Yeahia Khan, with an apprehended mind of constitutional crises called 12 leaders from all parliamentary groups. Bangabandhu regretted it, said it a fun, whereby bloodshed was continuing and there were wounds of hundreds and thousands of people in hospital. On 3rd March, in Platen Maiden, Bangabandhu announced the program of non-cooperation in the meeting of student league and Sramik league. He had a hint that probably the 7th March speech will be the his last speech. Particularly, all things were being rotated, controlled under the direction of Bangabandhu from 5th March, 1971.Bangabandhu called all his executive committee members in the morning of 7th March. Besides, all leftists and extremists were putting pressure for proclamation of independence.The whole nation was anxiously waiting for a clarion call. Many a leader told Bangabandhu many things. He listened to all. Lastly, the Bangamata Sheikh Fozilatunnesa Mojib opened her mouth when all departed. She advised Mojib to speak only from the inner core of his heart; or the way he utters. Bangabandhu with a smiling face started towards the meeting venue. Bangabandhu delivered his speech on the perspect of his long years political experience, vision and thoughts. In his speech, Bangabandhu told about exploitation, oppression, against the Bangalees. In his historic address of 7th March, 1971, Bangabandhu declared in his stentorian voice, ‘The struggle this time is for emancipation, the struggle this time is for independence.’ The Bangalees got the message for their task ahead from the clarion call. On the other hand, Pakistani ruling junta continued to hatch conspiracy against the freedom loving people and unleashed its brutal forces against the unarmed and innocent population in the fateful night of 25th March. They perpetrated an unprecedented massacre and destruction through out the country. Following the incident, the people and members of armed forces immediately took up arms and built-up an initial resistance- against occupation forces. With the passage of time, the freedom fighters gained strength and thoroughly defected Pakistani forces in a nine month long protracted and bloody war resulting in the final victory.From 8th to 15th March, many things happened, On 16th March President Yeahia Khan and Bangabandhu met a discussion meeting. Bangabandhu went to the discussion venue hoisting black flag in his car. Meanwhile an armed revolt took place in Joydevpur on 19th March 1971. On 22nd March, President Yeahia postponed national assembly which was due on 25th March in the falsehood of discussion. On 23rd virtually Pakistani flag was hoisted no where. The Bangalee flag was flying everywhere in all offices, courts, Missions and embassy office. The black night of 25th March came. The military junta of Pakistan started the killing. That was the worlds most dirtiest genocide which never took place in anywhere in the world. From 7th March to 10th January 1971 till Bangabandhu returns to Bangladesh, the speech was the only command.His absence did not affect the struggle & spirit of liberation war. The whole nation were united. Last 30th October, 2017, this speech has been awarded the recognition of world documentary record by UNESCO. This is undoubtedly an honor, matter of pride and prestige to the nation. We believe that this will be uphold by all from generation to generation and all anti liberation and dogmatic notions will be diminished from our country.

Deputy Director General & Commandant (PRL), Ansar-VDP Academy, Safipur, Gazipur.