History has repeated itself in Bangladesh. Once again there has been a coup in the country and this time too the disgruntled rebel contingent of the army was the mastermind. The family also belongs to the same Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 49 years ago, the one and a half hour rebellion had shocked the whole world and this time too, Sheikh Hasina, who was in power for 15 years, was in trouble for just a few hours. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in the year 1975. 8 members of the family were also killed. Sheikh Mujib, who gave independence to the country and earned the title of ‘Father of the Nation’, the mob of the same country or we can say the rebel army, took his life and today the enemy of his daughter’s life has also become the rebel army.
Within 45 minutes on Monday, Sheikh Hasina lost power and had to flee the country. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, the two daughters of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had to come to India to protect themselves. 49 years ago, a one and a half hour rebellion not only resulted in a coup, but the rebels also created months of instability in the country. At the time of the incident, Sheikh Mujib’s two daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were from Germany and had to take refuge in India for 6 years to save their lives. What was that whole story and what is the story of that rebellion? Learn…
There are two major parties in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Awami League. After the formation of Bangladesh (1971), the command of BNP was in the hands of Ziaur Rahman and the President of Awami League was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After Bangladesh got independence, Sheikh Mujib became the first Prime Minister and held the government for three years. Sheikh Mujib is considered the founder of Bangladesh. But, on the morning of 15 August 1975, there was a sudden attack on the Prime Minister’s residence located at Dhan Mandi in Dhaka.
This attack was carried out by the rebel contingent of the army itself for the coup. Sheikh Mujib and 8 members of his family were massacred. It was fortunate that Sheikh Mujib’s two daughters were not at the spot. Commerce Minister Khondekar Mustaq Ahmed immediately took control of the government and himself headed the interim government from 15 August 1975 to 6 November 1975.
Sheikh Mujib is remembered as Banga Bandhu
India has always remembered Sheikh Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Banga-Bandhu, which means true friend of Bengal. India was the first country in the world to recognize Bangladesh as a nation and also fought a war with Pakistan to transform East Pakistan into Bangladesh. India won this war in just 13 days.
That night of 1975…the army killed Sheikh Mujib and his family
It is about the year 1975. At that time Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and there was a lot of dissatisfaction against him in the army. The result of which was that on the night of 15 August 1975, some army units launched an operation against them in Dhaka and all this was completed in one and a half hours. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had three houses in Dhaka and that night the army raided all three of his houses. First of all, the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s relative Abdur Rab Seranibat was attacked. He was also a minister in Sheikh Mujib’s government. The army shot him dead. After that, another army contingent attacked Sheikh Mujib’s house in the night itself.
Meanwhile, his personal secretary called the police several times but got no help. During this time, the army entered the house and the first to be shot was his son Sheikh Kamal, who was standing on the stairs. After that Sheikh Kamal’s wife, his younger son Sheikh Jamal, his wife and later Sheikh Mujib were also killed. At the time of the attack, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s younger son Nasir appealed to the army and told that he was not in politics. Despite this he too was killed.
Sheikh Hasina and her sister stayed in Delhi for 6 years
Sheikh Mujib’s youngest son Rasal was only 10 years old at that time, but the army also killed him by firing bullets. When all this was happening in the house, another army contingent reached Fazlul Haq Moni’s house. Who was the nephew of Sheikh Mujib ur Rahman. The army brutally killed him and his family also. Among those killed was Fazlul Haq Moni’s wife, who was pregnant at that time. But the army did not leave him either. In this way, Sheikh Mujib and other members of his family were murdered that night. However, the lives of his daughter Sheikh Hasina and younger daughter Sheikh Rehana were saved in this attack. Because when the coup took place in Bangladesh in 1975, both the sisters were in Germany.
Sheikh Hasina was 28 years old at that time. She was with her husband. Sheikh Hasina’s husband was a nuclear scientist and lived in Germany. Later both the sisters reached India and the then Indira Gandhi government gave them shelter in Delhi. She lived in Delhi for 6 years from 1975 to 1981. At that time his address in Delhi was 56, Ring Road, Lajpatnagar-3. Later she shifted to a house in Pandara Park area of Delhi. Now a commercial complex has been built at the place where she lived in Lajpatnagar. Earlier this place was given to the Embassy of Bangladesh. Which lasted till the year 2003.
Sheikh Hasina remained in power for 15 years
Sheikh Hasina reached Bangladesh in the year 1981. After that he started raising his voice for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League had to face defeat in the 1991 elections. But he continued the struggle and the party won the 1996 elections. Sheikh Hasina became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She held power for 15 consecutive years and became Prime Minister five times till now.
Why did the Bangladeshi army revolt in 1975?
There were many factors that led to the revolt of the Bangladeshi Army in 1975. These included political instability, economic problems and authoritarian rule. In fact, after independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh faced many challenges in the process of establishing itself as a new nation. After the liberation war, there were large scale economic problems in the country. Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the government after the country’s independence. His government adopted a democratic constitution, but later adopted an authoritarian stance. After independence, Bangladesh had to face serious economic problems. Poverty, unemployment and food crisis further worsened the condition of common people. Due to the government’s inability to deal with these problems, dissatisfaction among the public increased.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded ‘Bakshal’ (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) in 1975, which was a party system. This system eliminated political opposition and freedom, which increased dissatisfaction among a section of the public and the army. The soldiers felt that their role and sacrifice were not being given due respect. Some factions of the army felt that Sheikh Mujib’s government was corrupt and incompetent. The atmosphere of political instability and violence increased. Groups dissatisfied with the policies and decisions of the government adopted the path of rebellion. On August 15, 1975, some factions of the army rebelled and killed Sheikh Mujib along with his family. After this rebellion, political instability increased further in the country. The army controlled power for many years.
What is the whole story of Khaleda Zia’s husband’s rebellion?
In fact, during Bangladesh’s freedom struggle in 1971, Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman played a major role and was known as a brave freedom fighter. After independence he held a high post in the Bangladesh Army. In 1975, when the rebellion against the Prime Minister came out openly in the country, Ziaur Rehman was a prominent army officer. Although he was not directly involved in this rebellion. Some majors involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujib were controlling most of the affairs of the army from Bangabhaban. After the coup, the then army chief General Shafiullah was removed and Ziaur Rehman was handed over the leadership of the army. But political instability continued in Bangladesh. In November 1975, Ziaur Rehman captured power through another coup and became the President of the country.
After becoming President, Ziaur Rahman tried to bring political stability in Bangladesh. He allowed new political parties and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Under his rule, Bangladesh took steps towards economic reforms. Ziaar Rehman was murdered in Chittagong during the military rebellion in 1981. After his death, wife Khaleda Zia took over the leadership of BNP. Her full name is Begum Khaleda Zia. Later she became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006. Many corruption cases have been registered against Khaleda Zia. In 2018, he was convicted in a corruption case and sentenced to jail. At present she was under house arrest. After the coup on Monday, the President ordered his release. At present, Khaleda Zia’s health condition is serious and she has been admitted to the hospital several times for medical treatment.
Why did Sheikh Hasina and Rehana have to leave the country?
A fortnight ago, students started a movement against reservation in government jobs in Bangladesh. This movement reached from colleges and universities to the streets and then transformed into a nationwide demonstration. As a result, Sheikh Hasina’s government fell. All this happened within 24 hours. There was a clash between the police and the protesters during the movement on Sunday. At least 94 people were killed in the violence. 13 policemen also died in the mob attack. Nearly 300 people have died in the country within 15 days. The government tried to end these demonstrations strictly. Bullets were fired. The army took to the streets, but the movement did not stop. On Monday, the student wing took out a march in Dhaka. Sheikh Hasina’s troubles increased due to the rebellion of a group of the army and an atmosphere of anarchy was created. Later, army officers gave Sheikh Hasina 45 minutes to leave the Prime Minister’s residence.
At 2:30 pm, Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country in an army helicopter from the Prime Minister’s residence. Sister Sheikh Rehana was also with him. On Monday evening, the President addressed the nation and told that Sheikh Hasina has today submitted her resignation from the post of Prime Minister to him and he has accepted it. The President said, it has been decided to dissolve the Parliament and form an interim government as soon as possible. The army will also take steps to normalize the current chaotic situation. The interim government will hold general elections as soon as possible.
‘Appeal for peace in Bangladesh now’
He said that in the meeting it was also unanimously decided to release Bangladesh Nationalist Party President and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. President Shahabuddin also ordered the release of all the students arrested during the protests. He said that the families of the victims of the anti-discrimination student movement will be compensated and all necessary help will be provided for the treatment of the injured. He urged the political parties to normalize the law and order situation in the country and stop activities like looting. He said, I am directing the armed forces to take strict measures to protect lives and properties of people and state assets. I call upon everyone to come forward to ensure communal harmony, safety of minorities and protect government property. Those involved in murder and violence will be brought to justice through an impartial investigation. He said that all the offices and courts of the country will open from Tuesday.
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