On this day in 1971, the Bangladeshi nation's first government was established, and the declaration of independence was officially read out.
Earlier, on March 26, 1971, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh just before being arrested by the Pakistani army.
Before his arrest, Bangabandhu gave numerous plans to the Awami League leaders so that they would have contingencies for every eventuality.
In accordance with Bangabandhu's plan, Tajuddin Ahmed crossed the Indian border on March 30 via Faridpur-Kushtia road. From there, he crossed the border again with Barrister Amirul Islam and entered India with the aid of the Meherpur Sub-Divisional Administrator Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and other local Awami League leaders.
The Indian Border Security Force welcomed them as representatives of the Awami League and they met with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on April 3, 1971.
The meeting between Indira Gandhi and Tajuddin Ahmed on April 3, 1971, was arranged by BSF or Indian Border Guard Chief KF Rustomji. There was some confusion, because many Indian officials did not know Tajuddin at the time. As a result, it was confirmed through Rehman Sobhan, an economist based in Delhi, that the person who came was actually Tajuddin Ahmed.
Before sitting for the meeting with Indira Gandhi, Tajuddin realized that an administrative structure was the most important factor in carrying on the war in the absence of Bangabandhu. Therefore, in accordance with the mandate of the 1970 elections, Bangabandhu, as President and himself as a representative of the Awami League, negotiated with Indira Gandhi for recognition and assistance to the Government of Bangladesh.
Since Bangabandhu had maintained good relations for a long time with the Indian leadership, the meeting between Indira Gandhi and Tajuddin proved fruitful. Although not recognizing the fledgling country immediately, India assured Bangladesh of all possible assistance, from shelter for refugees to weapons training for the Liberation Army.
Later, Tajuddin Ahmed along with others national leaders decided to form a wartime government with the consent of elected members of the parliament of 1970 election, and supported the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu in a formal manner on April 10 by forming the Mujibnagar government.
Syed Nazrul Islam, the vice president, served as the acting president in absence of Bangabandhu.
In addition to serving as prime minister, Tajuddin Ahmed also held the positions of Minister of Defense, Information, Broadcasting and Communication, Economic Affairs, Planning, Education, Local Government, Health, Labor, Social Welfare, Establishment, and other positions that were not specifically delegated to anyone.
The positions of Minister of Home Affairs, Supplies, Relief and Rehabilitation, and Minister of Agriculture were designated to Capt M Mansur Ali and Ministers of Finance, Industry, and Commerce by AHM Kamaruzzaman.
On April 10, 1971, Professor M Yusuf Ali officially read out the Declaration of Independence on behalf of the Sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh.
The historic Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh issued by the Mujibnagar government was effective as an interim constitution, governing the Mujibnagar government as long as the war of independence of Bangladesh was going on.
Only Bangladesh and the United States of America have ever been born as states as a result of a Declaration of Independence.
Later, on April 17, 1971, the administration was sworn in during a ceremony in Baidyanathtala's mango garden, now the mango orchard of Mujibnagar, which is very close to the Indian border.
The national flag was raised by Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam in place of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. At the ceremony for taking the oath, Professor Md. Yusuf Ali read the declaration of independent Bangladesh.
The national anthem, "Amar sonar Bangla, ami tomay valobashi," was performed by some local singers. A 10,000-strong crowd, which included fighters from the East Pakistan Rifles and Ansar, watched the ceremony.
In order to continue various political activities, Bangladesh created its first diplomatic mission in Calcutta, India.
The government's primary goals were to provide social justice, equality, and human dignity for Bangladesh's citizens. It should be noted that setting up the civil government in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's absence was a very challenging assignment.
While talking with Dhaka Tribune yesterday, Raziuddin Ahmed Razu, one of the young MPs of the 1970 election, said: “On July 1971 the maximum MP and MNA has a meeting at Siliguri, India with the leaders of the Mujibnagar government, where some MPs like Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad wanted to disobey the Mujibnagar government and planned to formed a confederation with Pakistan but we the young members threatened them and told, ‘if they want to showed disrespect to the Mujibnagar government the result will not be happier for them', then they got silent.”
The leaders of the Mujibnagar government would offer advice to the citizens of this nation during the liberation war. Through their radio speeches, the Prime Minister and the acting president would inspire everyone in the nation. They simultaneously took a number of diplomatic attempts to gain worldwide recognition and support.
In just nine months, the Mujibnagar Government was able to triumph in the Liberation War. Despite several obstacles and challenges, the Mujibnagar Government established a legal foundation for continuing the struggle against the Pakistani military, which garnered support and assistance from all corners of the world.
After a nine-month-long conflict under the direction of the Mujibnagar Government, the nation was liberated from Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 of that same year.
