Remembering 25^th March: Darkest Night of Our National History (Part I)

Professor Ajoy K. Roy

Yes, it is the darkest night of our national history.  25^th March of 1971, just a day before our National day, the day of independence, is still a painful day in my memory. The events, history's most heinous crime committed by the Pakistani army on the night of the 25^th March, still haunt me. I had the rarest opportunity to go through the fearful and horrible experience of glimpses of a genocide.

The 25^th March massacre is the result of the beginning of Pakistani military junta's operational plan "Operation Search Light". The Operation Search Light was aimed at the Bengali people to suppress the rebellion as foreseen by the Yahya junta. Yahya Junta let loose his hyenas in uniform on the peace loving Bangalis in the dark of the night. It is a horrible and painful experience of my life. At the request of Lopa I want to share my fearful nightmare that I still remember quite clearly, although a film of dusty layer is gradually creeping in to my memory.

But why did Pakistani government led by General Yahya Khan have to commit a crime against humanity - a massacre of 25^th night of '71? The Pakistani govt. knew very well that behind the movement of self autonomy in the light of 6-point chartered of demands, the non-cooperation movement led by Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujibar Rahman, the Bangalis are planning to snatch away independence of Bangladesh.

Shaikh Mujib and his colleagues knew very well that the dialogue that they started on the 13^th March, with General Yahya, self appointed president of Pakistan would fail. The proposals the AL placed before the Pakistani policy makers at the conference table would never be accepted because that would mean the end of Pakistan . To the Pakistanis dialogue is just a camouflage to buy time for final preparation of their plan and bring in necessary logistics to execute the plan. "Operation Search Light" is the result of that preparation.

The Background

My participation in '68-'69 mass movement resulted from our movement of university autonomy. The Ayub Shahi took away our autonomy of university by promulgating a University order of 1961, later known as University Black Law, replacing the Dacca University Act of 1921 which in its original form guaranteed independence of university in its academic pursuit and administration. We started a movement against this black law for restoration of university independence that would ensure the cultivation of full academic freedom in the pursuit of intellectual activities. The University autonomy would also ensure a congenial academic atmosphere where freethinking, liberal humanism and pluralism of opinion would flourish. Our movement gradually gathered momentum and spread not only in the then <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /> East Pakistan but also in the whole of Pakistan . The progressive teachers of Dhaka University  provided the leadership under the banner of Dacca University Teachers Association. As our movement became popular it was gradually uniting with autonomy movement of the country. We gradually came closer to the national movement against the Agartala conspiracy case against Shaikh and some other civil and military citizens of East Pakistan . I personally got intimately involved in the historic '69 mass upsurge in which Asad, Matirur, Sargent Zahurul Haque and Dr. Shamsudhoa, a senior teacher of Rajshahi University and a very good friend of mine and many others sacrificed their lives. Sahidan of Asad and Matiur gave momentum to the 6 point/11 point movement. I was at the Curzan Hall premises when we with some other teachers heard shots on the procession that was passing by the side of western gate of Curzon Hall and moving toward Rashid building near the eastern entrance of the then Arts Buildings of the university. We rushed towards the place of occurrence and found some boys carrying a wounded boy to the nearby medical college hospital. Later, I learnt he was Asad, a student union leader who was leading the procession.

On the other hand, shahidan of Zahurul Haque and Shamsuzzoha took the movement  to the peak. It really became a mass revolution and upsurge in the truest sense of the term. I had the rarest opportunity to witness it and I still feel proud that I got the opportunity to participate in it. Entire population of Dhaka City took to the street following the news of Dr. Zoha's Killing at the hands of the military. The common mass broke the curfew at night. On the following day, the mass upsurge took serious turn over which Munayem Khan's administration police or civil servants had no control. The residence of Chief justice of the special tribunal of Agortala Conspiracy case was set to fire and the learned judge took to his heels. Keeping this event in the background, our poet Sekendar Abu Zafar wrote his famous poem:

"Bicharpati, Tomar Bichar Karbe Yara,
Aaj Jegechhe Sei Janata,"  

[ Oh learned Justice, the people who would put you on trial,
Are now on the verge of awakening, beware ] *  

* Readers please excuse my bad translation.

 

As a result the Agortala case was abandoned; Shaikh Mujib and others accused were released from the cantonment where they had been confined months after months in an inhuman condition. The day was 22^nd February, 1969 . I still remember, it was in the after noon, a student worker of Chhatra Union brought me the news of releasing Shaikh and his colleagues. He also informed that he would come to the Shahid Minar to place wreaths. A few minutes later Professor Munier Chowdhury of Bangla, though not my teacher directly but I always respect and treat him as my teacher, with Anisuzzaman came to my residence. Anisuzzaman was my colleague and co-fighter in our teachers' rebellion for our autonomy of the university and the country as well. Munier Chowdhury was not actively involved, but a great friend, philosopher and guide. I had a great respect for him and I received his affection throughout my life as long as he was alive. Munier sir asked me, I still remember, " Ajoy, let's go to see the victory procession (as spontaneously brought out by the students and common mass with Shaikh Mujib leading it.); may be we can have the glimpses of Mujib."

We three went out in his car with Munier sir himself driving. As we proceeded towards Bangla Academy, by passing Shahid Minar and present Doyel Chattar, we found a big procession coming from the opposite direction. The mass was chanting slogan    

" Sheikh Mujib' ke Enechhi,
Jeler Tala Bhengechhi."

[ We have brought out Shaikh Mujib,
We have broken the lock of his jail]

 

We also heard slogans,

 

" Matiya-Rashed' ke enechhi,
Jeler Tala Bhengechhi.  

Jeler Tala Bhangbo
Manisingh' ke Anbo"

 

[ We have brought out Matiya and Rashed,
By breaking the Lock of the Jail.

We will break the lock again,
And will get Monishing Out.]

 

As we were approaching slowly towards the procession, a group of students asked us politely to take off our black badges as Shaikh Mujib was already released. When we said we were mourning the death of our colleague Dr. Zoha they apologized and made the slogan instantly:

"Bichar Bichar Bichar Chai
Zoha Hatyar Bichar Chai |

Shaheed Zohar Mrityu Nei,
Zoha Hatyar Bichar Chai | "

 

[ We want Justice Justice and Justice,
We demand trial of Zoha killing.

There can't be death of Shaheed Zoha,
We demand trial of Zoha killing.]

 

We stood by the side of a road, as Munier sir parked his car near the present Pushti Bhaban ( Nutrition Building ) on Mymenshing road. The procession went on with Shaikh Mujib, looking very tired, wearing a black half coat and white punjabi, on a truck followed by another truck. As the truck slowly passed us, Munier sir and Shaikh exchanged greetings by waving hands. I knew they were co-prisoners in 1948 during the first phase of our language movement.  I saw  Mujib for the first time from such a close quarters. Did I think at that time that this tall handsome man would change the destiny of Bengali speaking people and bring in further change in the political map of the subcontinent?! This day still remains as one of the most memorable days of my life.

But this is another aspect of my experience in the mass movement of 1969 in which I got involved very intimately. May be some other time I will write a remembrance on that. But today, I will narrate in brief my experience of the 25^th march.

General Election of '70: AL victory: Shaikh Became the undisputed leader of Bangalees

We all know what happened next. In the General election of '70, AL got the peoples' verdict in favour of six-point based autonomy if implemented Pakistan would be Confederation of East Bangla and Pakistan . With the postponement of parliament session on 1^st march we entered the second phase of our national movement. The events moved fast, people started thinking of total independence, not a federation with Pakistan . Pronouncement of Independent Bangladesh with display of a new Bangla Map on the third March students' meeting was an indication. The students' league announced the formation of 'Joy Bangla Bahini'. Since then 'Joy Bangla' became the slogan of the our struggle against the barbaric Pakistanis. The students action committee raised the flag of Bangladesh at Arts building, witnessed by the students and teachers of the university. I had the opportunity to see for myself hoisting of a flag with a golden map of Bangladesh set on the red sun with a dark-green background. We all saluted the flag when hoisted. The thrill of such a feeling of having a flag of our own was great and the moment's feeling is indescribable now.  On 3^rd March, Shaikh promised that he would address the people in a race course maidan on the 7^th March and declare the programme of action. In the meanwhile, continuous hartal would be observed throughout the country.

 

7^th March Address: Non Cooperation Movement Launched

7^th March, a historic day of our national life. I am one of those 10 lakhs of people who heard Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bangabandhu in the truest sense of the term, delivering the finest speech of his life. People from all walks of life - peasants from distant countryside, workers of all sections, political workers of all shed of opinions, teachers of all category from primary school to university, writers, musicians, doctors, engineers and intellectuals poured in the race course. The AL showed its unprecedented organizing capability- with no chaos, no indiscipline. The audience was waiting, waiting and waiting for Shaikh to come. The whole of race course maidan turned into a sea of human beings, the peasants carried their ploughs, fishermen their fishing javelin, weavers their shuttles. The human sea was filled with newly designed tricolor map of independent Bangladesh , placards, festoons and banners carrying slogans for the demand of independence. Bangabandhu came at 4 p.m. and immediately started his address,

"bhaayeraa aamaar, onek dukho bhaaraakraanto hridaye aapnaader shaamne eshe daariechhi, aapnaaraa shobi jaanen, shobi bujhen ....". He gradually rose his voice punctuated with spontaneously chosen words that were touching the hearts of lakhs of peoples amidst a pin drop silence. He narrated the entire history of our autonomy movement, the history of our peoples' deprivation at the hand of West Pakistanis, our struggle for our language, our culture, and economic emancipation against the Pakistani bureaucratic - military oppressive system.

It is not just a political speech, it seemed to me at that historic moment as if I was listening a fiery rhythmic poem that could be composed only by Bangabandhu in a historic moment extempore but in an unprecedented style.

I have heard many great personalities in my life.  I heard Nehru speaking at All India science congress in 1957, I heard Sarat Chandra Bose and Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy- two great political personalities of Bengal , I heard  Jayprakash Narayan during our war of liberation in a seminar, I heard Indian Prime Minister Indira, daughter of Nehru in 1971. Of course, I heard many a times from a close distance our great national leaders like fiery orator Maoulana Bhasani, Sher-e-Bangla and Shaid Sharwardy, even I heard on many previous occasions Shaikh Mujibar Rahman in paltan maidan. I have heard excellent academic speeches of many distinguished academicians including Prof. Satyen Bose, Dr. M. N. Saha, Sir C.V. Raman, Dr. Bhagamantam, and Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdus Salam. Many of the speeches of those luminaries are classic. The speech delivered by Bangabandhu at that historic moment of 7^th March is not comparable to any one. His personality hypnotized and mesmerized the audience. When he uttered the last lines of his poem.

" Ebarer Sangram Amader Muktir Sangram,
Ebarer Sangram Swadhinatar Sangram."

(This time, our war is for our emancipation,
Our war is for independence.) 

  

The hypnotized human sea sprang to life instantaneously as if with an electric shock - the sea became a turbulent one hearing their expected message "ebaarer shongraam shwaadhinotaar shongraam". The message is sound and clear. After this, Bangabandhu did not utter a single word, because he knew it was the climax and he knew where to stop. He ended with "Joy Bangla", our later war cry in the battleground. But that is a later story to be told another day.

Following the 7^th March, discussion and analysis on it continued among my colleagues, friends inside and outside the university circle. There was difference of opinions about its implication - but nobody could ignore the impact of it on the general mass. Every day from then on our movement reduced to a single converging point "total Independence ". Apparently, young Turks were disappointed; and it was quite natural. But a great and unique leader had to think of many sides - he had to consider all possibilities. It was true that, no doubt, those 10 lakhs of people went to listen to Shaikh declaring Independence on that very day, very moment. Looking back, I thought he did the right thing. We must have remembered, 10 lakhs people were not the entire country. To have independence, the mind of the country got to be prepared mentally and psychologically. Independence is a thing that has to be earned, for it you have to make supreme sacrifices, as we did later on from 25^th March to 16^th December. In order to get independence, we had to fight, we had to make preparation for the supreme sacrifice. For this very purpose, Shaikh gave to his countrymen a call for war of independence "ebaarer shongraam shwadhinotaar shongraam."

From that day we entered another phase of our war for independence. Slogans were,

 

"Padma, Meghna, Jamuna
Tomar Amar Thikana "  

[Rivers Padma, Meghna, Jamuna,
Is the address of your and of mine]  

 

"Bir Bangali Astro Dharo,
Bangladesh Swadhin Karo"  

[ Oh brave Bangal! take up arms,
Make Bangladesh Independent]

 

Non cooperation movement in its totality with West Pakistani Government was launched.  Pakistani administration collapsed. Shaikh took over the governing of country and started administering through his shadow cabinet 'AL High Command'. Tajuddin Ahmed was fast emerging as future Prime minister of free and independent Bangladesh .

Under this backdrop we observed the 23^rd March as Bangladesh Day instead of Pakistan Day. No where in 'East Pakistan ', Pakistani Flag was flown, except perhaps at the cantonment. This is another red-letter day of our struggle for independence. This was another clear indication that Bangalis are not prepared to accept any compromise formula except total independence. This was sure to break down. In fact it did.  Yahya was planning when to start his "Operation Search Light". After the 23^rd march, we became almost sure a general massacre of a very large-scale was forthcoming. Sensing this danger, on the 23^rd march after noon we sent an urgent telegram on behalf of the Dacca University teachers and intellectuals of the country expressing our anxiety and concern over a possible mass killing in East Pakistan . On the 25^th March, I went to the residence of Bangabandhu, to discuss the movement and administration. My object was to see Tajiddin Bhai to get the idea of the latest situation, but I could not trace him. However, I could manage to talk to Captain Mansur Ali, who was then leaving the house. He informed me that situation was very grave. There were two possibilities -  the Pakistani President might accept either AL's proposal or Pakistani Junta's plan which might not be a very pleasant one. He apprehended severe type of Martial law with all its consequences. When I asked whether he or AL had any source of knowledge that the army might be asked to fall on the general mass. He hesitated with uncertainty. He only said all possible things could happen, situation was really very grave! I left his residence at Road # 32 with distress and communicated the message to all concerned.            

At last, the fateful night of the 25^th March arrived. As we apprehended, a large-scale murder of the sleeping population was committed with tank, mortars, chinese rifles, rocket launchers and other lethal weapons. The Operation Search Light, the worst and the ugliest genocide of history on unarmed people, the people called Bangali who were known to the world as the most peace loving and docile human beings, began. My worst nightmare came true.  

The story of this nine-month genocide will be my next episode of the present series.

[To be continued]

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Originally appeared at Mukto-mona ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/5076 )

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