The youth have spoken and spoken very loud and clear. Anyone in business, politics or education can have a very clear perspective of the fact that in the current population scenario the youth (yes the vibrant red blooded arrogant strangely dressed and groomed under 25 males and females) constitute a majority that will make a huge impact in the electoral results of any election. For almost 180 days in 2013 (from February 5 to May 2013) these youth had taken over a very valuable one square mile in the heart of Dhaka city. While flying over that part of the metropolis, one can see nothing but heads of young men and women demanding justice. The Justice for the crimes committed by the Pakistani military and their local agents in 1971 that the Bangali were denied for the last 42 years.
In 1971, when the Pakistan military opened fire on innocent Bangalis, and killed millions in nine months, they left behind a trail of atrocity, looting, raping, burning, arson, kidnapping – a genocide, a full array of heinous crimes against humanity.
The Pakistan military used local collaborators who, in those days, belonged to political and student bodies that supported them and believed in their form of political and religious motivation. Most of these collaborators, belonging to such organisations as the Jamaat Islami, Muslim League, Islamic Chhatro Front (now Shibir) due to their political and ideological belief, sided with Pakistan military who were brought to East Pakistan (occupied Bangladesh) with a similar brain washing – that Bangladesh was swarming with Hindus, and the non-believers were taking over.
Thus, a Jihad has to be fought. Following the same thought process and mindset, a small percentage of the Bangali population joined the band of murderers created by Pakistan military, styled in fancy names like Razakar, Al Badr, Al Shams – all fancy Arabic names. These local collaborators were used by the Pakistanis to follow, locate, abduct, and kill the Bangalis targeted for elimination. They were also used to create and showcase the Bangali support for the occupant Pakistan forces to the western world.
That the Pakistan military used them for political intelligence and elimination of Banglis, is evident from documents, facts and evidences collected over the years.
It is a sad reality that the unfortunate nation of Bangalis who suffered such atrocities had been denied justice for almost 40 years.
The saddest part of it all is, after Bangabandhu, the father of the nation, was brutally assassinated in 1975, the consequent governments who took over the reign of Bangladesh, also began to deny and distort the facts and evidences, and thus ultimately letting go all the killers and rapists of 1971.
The scenario became worse when the constitution that was written with the blood of the people in 1972 was also changed, making it easier for the collaborators roam scot free and join mainstream life including politics, government, and creep in to capture state power.
At different times different attempts were made to re-establish the lost glory and the spirit of the liberation war. The mother of a valiant freedom fighter Rumi – who was abducted while in aguerilla operation and subsequently tortured to death by the Pakistan army – Shaheed Jononi Jahanara Imam in 1992 began the process of re-awakening the freedom loving people to rise against the injustice of not trying the collaborators for their crimes in 1971. She named it the Gono Adalot – the people’s court, and on March 26, 1993 a huge gathering in Dhaka Race Course accused 8 collaborators for their crimes in 1971, and the people’s court gave a guilty verdict. Unfortunately, the Government of that time accused Jahanara Imam, and that court of anti state activities.
It’s most unfortunate that this incredibly powerful woman, who sacrificed her son and her husband to the war, dared to speak against the enemies of our liberation, and tried to bring to light the facts of 1971, was dying of cancer. In 1994, she passed away, but always knew that the youth of this country will rise again for justice and establish the Bangladesh that the freedom fighters who liberated the country had envisioned: A country that is free from social and economic evils and disparity, ensures equal opportunity to all, and ensures democratic and political rights without questioning the class, caste, sex, or religion of its citizens.
The Liberation War and its spirit is a sources of pride for every citizen who believes that a secular, socialist, democratic, and nationalist Bangladesh has to be established just as it had been on December 16, 1971 when the Pakistan military was defeated and had to surrender to the allied forces consisting of freedom fighters and the Indian army.
In 2013, the youth at Shahbag has taken a very clear and no nonsense position. They are very unequivocal in their support for our generations’ political, social, and economic commitments. They are aware that underhand dealing in politics is very common, and many compromises have been made in the last 42 years while using the sake of our martyrs, freedom fighters, and also Bangabandhu as a smokescreen. The youth are sick and tired of all that. On the same day, last year, they had spoken loudly and clearly, and the fact is, they were serious and passionate about it.
Many have asked me, what is the difference between this youth, and those that belong to the cadre wings of the political parties? My response is that these youth at Shahbagh, and such other squares all over Bangladesh, are motivated and passionate about Bangladesh and our valiant Liberation War.
The youth, and their leaders at Projonmo Chottor (Shahbagh), have the understanding of the spirit of the Liberation War; they envision themselves as those young soldiers in 1971 that gave up everything for their motherland – to protect her, and liberate her from the clutches of the Pakistani military hyenas.
Today the Pakistanis are long gone, but they have left behind their legacy in the form of Jamaat-Shibir and many other moles in powerful positions of the political, civil, and military institutions.
There were many attempts to re-evaluate the lost glory, but not until the youth of today started protesting at Shahbagh’s Projonmo Chottor did the freedom fighters and martyrs see that the glory and spirit of 71 has not been lost. The Generation of 2013 can surely be crowned as the freedom fighters of 2013. They are carrying our spirit to build the Bangladesh of Ekattur (1971)! Joi Bangla! Joi Manush!
Yes, there are many doubters for these youths, and their leadership abilities. To them I say, we and our generation have had 42 years to deliver, and we have failed. The youth of today has rejected us, and our leadership ability to deliver the Shonar Bangla we committed through our war of liberation.
The youth have awakened, risen, and proven that they can hold on to their commitments, and I am sure, if given the responsibility they can deliver a better and brighter future to us all, and most importantly, to the nation. They are surely clear of their target, and they want a Bangladesh that is free from religious, social, cultural, and political prejudices – a statehood those freedom fighters in 1971 fought for, and wanted to establish. No more chains, but a world to gain.
The recent political developments in the last six months, when violence engulfed us; human torches and firebombs became the cry of the day, we thought the light has diminished, and spirit of 71 has turned to ash.
We see a new awakening in the rejection of Jamaat and the politics of denying Muktijuddho. The nation has rejected them, and it is clear that the nation wants to establish the spirit of 71, and bring the war criminals, including the principal perpetrators the Pakistanis in 1971, to justice.
