Re: [ALOCHONA] Few Questions

Mr. Badrul Islam:

 

You pose some very intriguing questions. However, I am afraid, the answers are not simply black-and-white. There are several shades of color in between. Here is my attempt to answer and clarify some of your questions:

 

1.LateSheikh Munjibur Rahman when released from Pakistan came via London and India. Is it true that in both places he was briefed
about Bangladesh and some sort of agreement was made in respect of POWs; Collaborators/ Rajakars etc-- On arrival Bangladesh he undertook two important task-(a) plans for getting recognition from other countries- as foreign aid was vital for the country and (b)surrendering of arms that was still under possession of FFs-- but why didnt he "NOT"make attempt to have them listed and then place them according to merit n qualification to the Armed forces/Police/ BDR/Ansar etc-- they needed jobs too???

 

Ans: As far as history and first-hand account is concerned, there were no "agreements" between Bangabandhu and the Pakistanis regarding POWs and Rajakars. Do keep in mind that they POWs were handed over to the Indian Army when they came to Bangladesh in the middle of December. Bangladesh Army, as well as the Freedom Fighters didn't hold any POWs. In terms of Rajakars, here is the background story: I am sure you know by now that the Saudis were the last to recognize Bangladesh. Well, during the early 70s and before the first oil crisis, Saudis put pressure on Nixon to talk to India (Indira Gandhi) and deal with the "insurgency problem" in "East Pakistan". Should I also note that Nixon supported the invasion and supported the Pakistani government, and the Pakistani govt. got enormous support from the Saudis as well? Upon independence, U.S. and several European countries conveyed this message to the Indian and newly-found Bangladeshi government: Don't persecute POWs and Rajakars, as this might trigger another regional war. Besides, a bucket full of foreign aid was waiting on that condition.

 

Too often people make the mistake of thinking that Bangabandhu either pardoned the Rajakars from the kindness of his heart or he made a deal. Neither is true. He actually didn't have a choice.

 

Secondly, in a war-torn country, that has just been ravaged by the Pakistani aggressors, the last thing that a government can do is to immediately (re)build armed forces. Our freedom fighters were largely comprised of general public and not by a professional army. There was tremendous international pressure to disband the freedom fighters, repossess their weapons, and return life to normalcy. Army, in post 1971 era was not actively recruiting, nor was it capable of sustaining such a large force. If you look up the composition and size of the Army between 1971 - 75, and see how much was allocated from the budget to expand the army, you will find the answers. Besides, Bangabandhu was somewhat reluctant to expand the authority of the Army (hence the beginning of his disagreements with the Army officials such as..oh..i don't know...Major Zia et. al.) and the revival of a political paramilitary led by Bakshal supporters.

 

2. Either late 1972 or early 1973- Late Mujib went to Lahore and sat by the side of late Zulfiqar Bhutto on the same stage(was that an International Peace conference or something-- I saw that on BTV -- and later both stood up holding hands high up on the air and chanting slogan- cannot remember now). How could late Mujib agree to do that when ZABhutto was identified as the great enemy responsible for the war and mass killings of Bangalis????

 

Ans: If I am not mistaken, I think you are referring to the World Peace Conference that happened in late 1972. Bangabandhu was awarded the Frederic Julio Curie Award for peace and reconciliation among many world leaders, as a recognition for his leadership and ability to reconcile a divided nation. I am not sure if Bhutto was present there, nor there is any record of Bhutto and Bangabandhu holding hands and chanting slogans. But I do know that Bhutto became a great admirer of Bangabandhu during his imprisonment and post-1971. Again, the conference was about Peace and Reconciliation between old enemies, per se. What could he have done? Refuse to "reconcile" with Bhutto and walk off from the world stage?

 

3.In 1980 when Hasina returned from exile to take over the helms of AL she as reported in TV and newspaper went to Moghbazar residence of Golam Azam- there was no concrete details ever given but a statement given that they discussed for development of peace and democracy-- any ideas or any websites from which actual infos could be obtained???? ? What actually did happen.??? Why did she meet Golam Azam the number 1 Collaborator? ?

 

I am not sure of this incident. But as far as I am concerned, if such meetings actually occured, no statement or info was ever published, nor would we ever know what Hasina talked about with Golam Azam. Whatever their discussions may be, I am almost certain that it was a political compromise to go against JP and BNP alliance at that time.

 

4. 1986 Hasina participated in Elections-- JP won and formed the Government while Hasina AL and JI and perhaphs communist party were the opposition am I right?

 

Jamaat was not in the alliance with AL and Ekush Jot (the Alliance of 21). Bangladesh Communist Party was part of the Alliance.

 

5.Why AL in power 1996-2001 didnt do- (a) rehabilitation programme for FFs; (b)initiate cases against Collaborators and (c)initiate
case against the Murderers of late Sheikh Mujib?

 

Between 1996-01, there was an initiative to look after the freedom fighters, and help them gain the support and respect that they truly deserve. Look up articles and newspaper opinions during that time, and you will find enough evidence to see that the government did initiate several programs. Unfortunately, some of the initiatives ended due to rampant corruption, shortage of funding, and the revival of a BNP government.

 

Cases were filed against the Rajakars 1996-2001. See the activities of the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee during that time. I have too many to list here, but not enough time. Just so you know, after 2001 when the BNP govt. came to power, many of those cases were dismissed from the court on many grounds (my favorite: Since Golam Azam holds a Bangladeshi passport and was pardoned by Bangabandhu, he is no longer a Rajakar!! I mean...come on!!) Between 2001 and 2006, the BNP govt. and its cadres systematically went after members of the Nirmul Committee and filed cases against them to curb their activities.

 

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions.

 

Thanks,

Cyrus

 

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Cyrus Zulkarnaïan Kazi
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