By Asima Ashraf

As the date of separation Eastern Wing and Western Wing of Pakistan is approaching, patriotism of Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman is being remembered. He was a versatile leader and history will always remember his splendid work for Pakistan. He was a helping hand of Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in struggle of making Pakistan. He was very loyal to Quaid and his his sister Miss Fatima Jinnah and he dedicated his whole life for the country. Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman was born at Tungipara, Bengal on 17 March 1920. He completed his graduation from in 1947 from Islamia College, Calcutta. He was also elected as General Secretary of the Islamia College Students Union. He active worker of Bengal Provincial Muslim League from his college-hood and later in 1943 became member of the All-India Muslim League Council. Quaid e Azam was his inspiration and before partition he used to vend pro Pakistani newspaper, named, ‘Millat’in the streets of Dhaka. He was also an active and founding leader of ‘East Pakistan Muslim students’ league’. These all scenarios are reflecting that how much he was enthusiastic and dedicated to his work and country.

After the demise of Quaid-e-Azam, he organized his party, ‘Awami Muslim League party’ in 1949. After death of Quaid, ideology of Pakistan was being sidelined and a secular vision was being applied on the initiation of India and the West. At this moment, Mujibur Rehman noticed that leaders and people who struggled for the liberation and attainment of Pakistan were changing to gain power, but Mujibur Rehman never distorted and remained steadfast. In early January 1950, under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib ur Rahman, Muslim League took out an anti-famine procession in Dhaka on the occasion of the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Liaqaut Ali Khan to East Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was arrested and he was expelled from Muslim League for two years. In January 1952, he joined Maulana Bhashani in the formation of Awami Muslim League. Maulana Bhashani was great friend of Quaid-e-Azam Assam branch Muslim League Party in 1934 and ever since he dedicated his whole life for Pakistan movement.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman remained General Secretary of the Awami Muslim League from 1953 to 1966 and it’s President from 1966 to 1974. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman entered parliamentary politics first in 1954 through his election as a member of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. He was also a member of the Pakistan Second Constituent Assembly (1955-1958). During the elections of 1965, he joined hands with Fatima Jinnah and opposed autocratic ruling of General Ayub Khan. Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman launched the campaign of Fatima Jinnah during elections and due to his support, she secured more votes in East Pakistan than from west Bengal. He himself was elected as the Member of the National Assembly and always opposed the actions of the Pakistani establishment in the house.

During the War of 1965, he being a loyal Pakistan did everything which could be done for Pakistani forces against India; from campaigning to collection of devotions and supporting Pakistan cause through speeches. Many amongst the Pakistani politicians were anti Quaid-e-Azam and anti-Fatima and did not allow her to win the elections, however, Mujibur Rahman stood side by side with Fatima Jinnah as solid rock. Fatima Jinnah died in July 1967 and afterwards there was no one to protect the privileges of the people of West Pakistan.

In the 1970 national elections, regardless of leading his party to a major victory in the elections, Mujibur Rahman was not invited form the government. On 25 March 1971, he was detained by the Pakistan Army in an ‘Operation Searchlight’. During his nine-month detention, insurgency erupted and an attempt was made by Pakistan Army to crush Bengali nationalists and bring peace. An all-out civil-war between the Pakistan Army and East Pakistani nationalists started in which USA played a major role in the disintegration of Pakistan. In the meantime, India forces intervened and it led to the liberation of East Pakistan as an independent nation and emergence of Bangladesh in 1971.

However, despite all hurdles, Mujibur Rehman was strongly resolute to achieve liberty. He encouraged Bengalis and managed to turn the 26 March’s genocide into War of Liberation. At last, Bangladesh achieved freedom. It was great sorrow that Sheikh Mujibur Rehman had to surrender in front of death in the blackest day of Bangalis’ history. He was killed but his dreams never died.