The name Andre Malraux and the struggle for freedom of the people of Bangladesh remain inseparable.
Back in 1971, an international convention, entitled “World Meet on Bangladesh,” was organized on September 18 and 20 to make the world community aware of the brutalities perpetrated by the Pakistani military.
Malraux neither attended the convention nor participated in the Liberation War physically, though he passionately wanted to be part of the struggle. Even so, his strong voice in favour of Bangladesh's liberation helped garner huge international support for Bangladesh.
At a press conference in Paris on September 18, 1971, Malraux declared his intention to fight along with Bangladesh’s freedom fighters by leading an International Brigade.
“At the age of 70 in September 1971, he was one mighty voice to air on the radio a vehement call for the constitution of a new International Brigade for Bangladesh…,” according to a document acquired from the Alliance Française of Dhaka.
Once Bangladesh was liberated, Malraux did not miss the opportunity to visit the newly liberated country. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman personally invited Malraux in recognition of his contribution to Bangladesh’s liberation.
Two years into the country's independence, Malraux came to Bangladesh on 21 April, 1973.
During his five-day visit, Malraux travelled from Rajshahi to Chittagong and met freedom fighters, young university students, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman twice. They also had dinner together.
Just like Philippe Halphen’s film, “Bangladesh Year One: From Despair to Hope,” the first meeting between Bangabandhu and Malraux invited a question from a journalist, who asked Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: “Mr Prime Minister, how did your people respond to Andre Malraux’s proposal to fight for Bangladesh?”
Bangabandhu replied: “That matter was very important for Bangladesh at the time. It gave us courage. After all, it is hard to accept death. We were being brutally killed. This great man came forward under such difficult circumstances and declared that he wanted to fight for the people of Bangladesh. I was incarcerated at the time and this was significant.
“We are very grateful. We are extremely happy that he has come to Bangladesh despite being so busy. However, this is not enough for us. We want him for a longer time. People all over are telling me, we want to see him, we want to see him. But we know he does not have the time. That is why I invited him personally,” he added.
Another journalist sought to know what Bangabandhu’s expectations were from Andre Malraux.
In reply, Bangabandhu said: “We want his love. We have many problems. They killed three million of our people. They killed the intellectuals, damaged our roads, and destroyed our food stock. We have so many problems but I do not want anything from anyone. All I want is love and respect which my people deserve. Have you not seen my beautiful land, the excellent people of the country and beautiful green scenery?”
During the second meeting between Malraux and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the latter said, through an interpreter: “You must have seen how our people have drawn you close to their hearts.”
Malraux spoke to the interpreter: “Will you ask Mr Prime Minister if he is interested in knowing what I have noticed during my visit? I have noted it all down. Firstly, I have understood that people have suffered much more than the people of Europe imagine. I will give my answers in writing about the questions on the economy, nation-building, various instigations and birth control. Has my writing been translated?”
Malraux and Bangladeshi youth
Malraux came to Bangladesh with inspiring words, kind-heartedness, and some guidance for the young generation of the new Bangladesh. The sacrifice of the students moved him deeply.
Before his departure on April 25, Malraux visited three key universities and delivered emotional speeches before the graduates, applauding the devotion of their peers for the country and explained the work that lay ahead for them to build the war-torn nation.
It has been 47 years since the year the French philosopher Andre Malraux paid his historic visit to Dhaka University. He has been immortalized through the event.
To honour his visit, the University of Dhaka dubbed the garden in front of its business faculty after his name. Following the day, the green patches turned into “Jardin Malraux [Malraux Garden].”
It is also popularly believed among the students of the university that the "Mol Chattar" around the open space is actually “Malraux Chattor.” Be it true or false, the legend is there.
Documents indicate that during his very short and first visit to Bangladesh on April 21, Malraux delivered an emotional speech before the students of the university.
“For the first time I [am] speaking at the only university in the world where there are more dead than living. Students of France know that your teachers and your friends embraced death for liberty, and they know that nowhere else ever before students and teachers paid such a heavy price for liberty. Those of yours who died have rendezvoused with the fate of Bangladesh, but now it is for you to build a nation.”
Malraux’s mural was inaugurated inside the garden on April 26, 2014, acknowledging Malraux as “Friend of Bangladesh.” He is more than a friend to Bangladesh though.
On his second day on April 22, 1973, Malraux went to the University of Rajshahi to address the students.
In his speech, Malraux said: “Mr President and Chancellor and guests, when the huge Persian army attacked Greece, just 300 people blocked their way at a place called Thermopylae. They were all killed in that war. Perhaps the most famous inscription of Greece and possibly of Ancient Greece and Rome, remains at this site: ‘Go tell the Spartans, thou who passes by/that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.’ You must also write the epitaph on the grave of any fighter, on the burial grounds of the intellectuals. “Those of you passing by, go tell everyone that those who lie here, fought with bare hands and unhesitatingly for nine cruel months.
“I salute all the martyrs around us. You have shown the world that the soul of the nation which does not accept defeat can never be killed. There are two types of nations, one that fights for itself - for example, Britain fighting against Germany in the World War, and one that fights for all, like the French Republic in the Crusade,” he added.
“There are graves of French soldiers all over the West and the East. Perhaps it was the same spirit that lies in the graves of the heroic freedom fighters of Bangladesh that ignited the French Revolution in Europe. Mr President, yesterday I met the wounded freedom fighters and you have received me and the civilization of my country on their behalf and on behalf of the old civilization of Bengal. Accepting this honour from you, I would like to tell Bangladesh, I am honoured to be here.”
The Rajshahi University authorities conferred a Doctor of Letters (D.Lit) degree on him.
Addressing a gathering of Chittagong University students, Andre Malraux said: “There is a long and glorious history of the French revolution soldiers rising up against the king in Europe, of the Red Army, Mao’s army during the Long March. If China really helped Pakistan, then they did this against these soldiers. These were called partisan since the times of Lenin.
“We took your side because you all were cruelly oppressed and threatened and you have a 3000-year-old civilization in your souls. In our times, Gandhi was the old leader of freedom who fought for people’s souls. There is a need for people to support each other in this world. They must use their souls. Your revolution has joined Bengal with ours.
"The world does not seem to want to understand that your revolution is the only one that is not a generalised revolution. It is not Stalin, not Hitler, not Mao, but Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but they have not understood this yet. However, now is the time to rise up. We certainly needed victory,” he added.
“Bangladesh today wants peace and that is for everyone. You have to strive for your second victory by building the nation. The war for peace must follow the armed struggle. I will meet the city authorities today. A decision will be taken about your needs and once I return, work will begin on the primary requirements. We could not fight together during the war, but we will fight together now. Long live Chittagong, long live Bangladesh.”