Will there be an Islamic revolution in Bangladesh? Were the Razakars traitors? Why is the so-called “Muktijoddha” considered fake?
Shahinul Khalisdar
Tax Advisor | Business Advisor/ Taxation Expertise/ Enrolled Agent (EA)/Master of Science in Taxation (MST)/ Author
Will there be an Islamic revolution in Bangladesh? Were the Razakars traitors? Why is the so-called “Muktijoddha” considered fake? What is the truth behind the creation of Bangladesh? Was Bangladesh not independent?
I want to make it clear that I do not have expertise in creating YouTube video content or public speaking. While I did create some videos for personal reasons in 2006-2008, the uploading process was time-consuming and challenging at that time. I never considered myself a Youtuber and have no intention of getting involved in Bangladeshi politics. Despite being approached to take power through a military coup in 2006, I declined and have no interest in public service. I prefer living an independent life. You all can read the book “Bengali Wins Freedom.”
I will provide concise answers to the questions above, which I believe will aid you in reaching your own conclusions:
In Bangladesh, good intentions always seem to lead to worse outcomes. For example, in 1946, the Muslim League thought creating Pakistan would resolve the mistreatment of Muslims by Hindu Rajputs and Zamindars, but it turned into a lingering crisis.
Bengalis have been taught that they are "Bir Bengali" and "Bir Muktizodah." Bangabandhu is considered the Greatest Bengali of All Time in a thousand years of Bengali history, as he was the first Bengali head of state in Bengal who saved Bengalis from colonizing Pakistanis. However, Bengal was always ruled by the petty Rajputs known as "Raj Bari." Every Pargana used to have a Raj Bari or village (????) Zamindar Bari until the East Pakistan Estate Acquisition Act of 1950, which the Muslim League enacted. The Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 gave the Zamindars autonomous ruling capacity, and the East India Company committed to assisting in defense, loans and foreign relations with London. Following that act, Hindu Zamindars and Rajputs immediately banned Muslims from going to Masjid and receiving Islamic education, which was strictly enforced until 1858 when the British Government took full control of Bengal. Historically, there were only four regions in Bengal: East, West, North and South Bengal. Hindu upper-caste people have long believed that Muslims converted the Shudra and Dalit into Islam through money and marriage because Muslim marriage does not have caste restrictions like Hindus.
In 1935, Fort William's presidency was changed to the Province of Bengal. The British also changed the spelling of Bongo to Bengal. However, Bangladeshi Bengalis claimed "Hazar Bochor Bengali" and wrote millions of fabricated histories and stories about it.
All Bangladeshi Bengalis argued that Bengal was divided by the British out of jealousy because Bengal was "Gold," and the British and Pakistanis looted all their gold. In reality, Bangladeshi Bengalis were subjects of the Hindu Rajput and Zamindars. Creating the Pakistan Muslim League liberated them from this enslavement.
In 1906, the Muslim League was formed in Dhaka to address the Muslim political issue to the British Government. In 1911, East and West Bengal were reunified, and from then on, the Muslim League envisioned creating a Muslim State. The Muslim League traveled from East to West British India to unite Muslims for their cause, but Bangladeshi Bengalis feel proud they earned independence from Pakistan.
During the 1971 East Pakistan Civil War, various terrorist groups based in India were involved in attacking East Pakistan's infrastructure, looting private property, and stealing livestock.
The violence originally started in 1969 when the Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad (All Party Students Action Committee) was formed on January 5, 1969. Their main demand was an end to dictatorship and the establishment of democracy. There was no mention of Bengali nationalism. Indian agents chanted the slogan "Joy Bangla, Joy Bongobondhu." There have been tense situations between Pakistan and India due to territorial disputes since Pakistan's creation. East Pakistan had always claimed all of Bengal, part of Assam, Tripura, and Arakan, which is why the railway was operational until 1965.
The government in exile of the People's Republic of Bangladesh took oath at Baidyanathtala village in the Meherpur district on April 17, 1971, and it's worth noting that Mujib and Zia were not present there. The Indian government and Bhutan recognized Bangladesh and exiled the Bangladesh Government on December 6, 1971.
Additionally, on April 18, 1971, Mukti Bahini was initially organized under the leadership of the exile government's Chief in Command, General Osmani. This group operated from Calcutta and the Indian jungle, and it received support from the Indian BSF, which provided transportation of food, clothes, weapons, and military operational strategy.
It's also important to mention that outside of East Pakistan, three groups were organized: Qadir Bahini, which had nearly a couple thousand members; Mujib Bahini, which had a few thousand members; and Mukti Bahini, which had over 30 thousand certified and trained guerrillas by the end of November 1971.
Mitro Bahini
On 21 November 1971, the Indian and exiled Bangladesh forces were placed under a joint command structure in the eastern theatre, led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora. This combined force was known as Mitro Bahini. It consisted of 29 battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF), as well as Mukti Bahini guerrillas, who were organized into infantry companies and attached to various Indian formations. According to the Indian military, the estimated number of certified Mukti Bahini forces was 30,000 regular soldiers, including three brigades with eight infantry battalions, three artillery batteries and at least 100,000 guerrillas by December 1971.
According to the Bangladeshi Bengali perspective, they were all freedom fighters (Muktijoddha) who fought against the invading Pakistanis. The Pakistani forces were looting their country and taking all their gold. They also committed acts of rape against Bengali women and killed Bengalis, and Razakars were aiding the Pakistanis.
Purbo Banglar Communist Party
From inside East Pakistan, only one group was directly fighting against East Pakistani Riles, the Police and the United Pakistan military: the Purbo Banglar Communist Party. This group funded its guerrilla war by stealing cows, goats and loot. This group wanted a communist revolution in East Pakistan, not the so-called “Bangladesh.”
Mujib Bahini
Mujib Bahini wanted "Mujibbad". What is Mujibbad? Mujib started his political career in 1946 as a campaigner for Muslim League candidate Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy. In 1949, Mujib joined the Awami Muslim League, and in 1966, he declared 6 points. It was obvious that "Mujib Bahini" did not have a clear objective for Bangladesh.
领英推荐
Qadir Bahini
Qadir Bahini was a criminal organization that was 100% funded by the BSF. What Qadir Bahini wanted no one knew except their terrorism.
Aftermath of the War
From December 16, 1971, to February 12, 1972, the Indian military tried to control the chaotic situation in East Pakistan but failed due to a lack of Indian government political will. Murder, rape, land grabbing, bank, factory and looting were skyrocketing.
Between 1972 and 1975, four groups constantly fought like gang wars with each other: Gonobahini, Mujib Bahini, Qadir Bahini and the Purbo Banglar Communist Party.
Between 1972 and 1975, there was no functional administrative government, and criminal activities plagued the entire country. Fake Mukti Bahini, high school, college, and medical certificates were common, and unqualified individuals were able to secure jobs without going through the proper protocols and vetting processes. Instances of decaying bodies, gang violence, and gang rape were prevalent. The land grabbing was standard practice by many. In addition, super-high inflation made the local currency, Taka, practically worthless.
From 1972 to 1975, many people who wouldn't have otherwise been able to pass an exam, get a job, or buy a piece of land or house suddenly had the opportunity to do so illegally. Illegal homeowners occupied abandoned houses, and it was a time of total anarchy. Bengali leader Mujib publicly said, "Everyone gets gold mines, but I have got thief mines."
Mujib's administration was a complete failure both domestically and internationally, leading to a state of anarchy in the country. Therefore, anything that took place between 1972 and 1975 should not be considered credible based on ethical principles.
According to Bangladeshi Bengalis, they all fought for Bengali liberation from invading Pakistanis, and they all fasted for their Bengali Father Mujib’s well-being; however, Mujib's dead body was lying on the floor for nearly three days. Not a single Bengali went to see his body.
Pro-Pakistani Groups were:
Peace Committee
The primary organization was the "East Pakistan Peace Committee," which maintained "Peace Committee" offices in every division, district, thana, union, and village across East Pakistan. Every resident of East Pakistan pledged allegiance to the region and committed to preserving its integrity, irrespective of their religion. They vowed to live peacefully in East Pakistan and to promptly report any terrorist activities or presence of Indian agents to the "Peace Committee."
Razakar
In 1971, when civil war broke out unexpectedly in East Pakistan in April. The Bangladesh Government in exile, formed in India, started guerrilla attacks in East Pakistan from across the border. In May of that year, the leaders of the Muslim League in East Pakistan decided to support the Pakistani military in response to mounting pressure from the Youth Muslim League and Student League. They trained a militia called the Razakars, primarily from the Muslim "Bhadra Samaj," to aid in the fight against the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), Mukti Bahini, Mujib Bahini, Qadir Bahini, and the Purbo Banglar Communist Party.
Al-Badr
Al-Badr was a pro-Pakistani Mujahideen who gave a fierce fight, mostly from Islamic-minded college and University students.
Al-Shams
Al-Shams (meaning the sun) is mostly organized by the pro-China socialist political parties. The militia wing is mostly recruited from colleges.
Jaish-e-Mohammed and Islamic Mujahid
Jaish-e-Mohammed and Islamic Mujahid were mostly from Qawmi Madrasah.
As the son of the East Pakistan Peace Committee Standing Committee Chairman, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of restoring stability in the country. Stabilizing the country took nearly a decade. The violence that started in 1969 lasted until 1980, and the process was not easy. We cannot allow the country to descend into chaos.