Our True Liberation
A rejoinder to "We Must Honor 2024 Without Diminishing 1971"
A new nation may have been born, but unfortunately we did not attain our independence in 1971.
In fact, we were not even allowed to be represented at the signing ceremony table on December 16. Following the surrender of the Pakistani army, the ensuing widespread looting by the Indians was a rude awakening for all freedom loving Bangladeshis. It was very clear to all who was going to run things.
Prior to 1971, there is no doubt that the whole Language Movement in East Bengal and subsequent separatist movement was orchestrated by the Indians and their intelligence agencies. Mujib’s controversial visit to Agartala in the mid-1960s is a testament to that (which Tofael and others have confirmed, standing in Parliament).
In 1971, a lot of freedom-loving people and students jumped to fight to liberate the country but then the muktijoddhas who were not aligned with Mujibbadis or the so called Mujib Bahini; were sporadically and indiscriminately killed in 1971 in many sectors, aided by the Indians.
So despite the supreme sacrifices of so many young bloods, 1971 did not yield the desired results.
Our liberation struggle was hijacked by the Indians with the help of the Mujib Bahini. During the Liberation War, everyone was a Mukti Joddha, why was there a need for a separate Mujib Bahini? It was because they were being identified as the future civil and military bureaucracy.
However, post 1971, these Mujib Bahinis enrolled en masse in to the Rakkhi Bahini; who were trained by the Indian Army. And we all know what the Rakkhi Bahini was used for.
Post-1971, the widespread corruption, forced killings and disappearances, sycophancy were at its peak. Total despondency settled in while a handful few ruled the roost.
While 1971 did not usher in the real freedom or independence for the people; we all unanimously honour the brave souls who jumped in to fight and some amongst them made the supreme sacrifice.
In contrast to this, in 2024, the entire nation came together to wrench control away from the clutches of the Awami Baksalites and the Indian Hegemonists, and so far have been able to keep the vultures away.
This was the real freedom that was lacking since 1971 (you all witnessed the extreme form of exploitation during the last 17 years).
Hence, without demeaning the value of the historic contribution of the freedom fighters of 1971, we, who have witnessed both struggles, cannot but appreciate the unimaginable victory of the people in 2024, who love Bangladesh and will not allow any third power or country to snatch that freedom away from us anymore.
It is Bangladesh first and last -- no other power has any right over our sovereignty.
Lastly, I would like to say that this hegemonistic power is again at its insidious best to put a wedge between the two generations of freedom fighters, trying to compare whose contribution was greater.
There should not be any misgivings about the two; as neither are mutually exclusive.
There is no question that if there was no 1971, then we could not have seen the ultimate victory of 2024, five long decades later.
It was due to 1971 that we understood our goal and target of the liberation of our country.
But it was not until 2024 that we tasted our true liberation.
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