Abdul Gaffar Choudhury
Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a special contribution to the
Language Movement. A lifelong supporter of the mother language, he dedicated
his services to acquiring the due recognition of Bangla language in the initial
phase of the Language Movement in 1947 and later on as a lawmaker and as the
President. Till his death, he spoke for, and worked towards, the development
and advancement of Bangla language, and the right of the Bangla speaking
people. To date, literature in the form of articles, novels and books have
failed to adequately depict Bangabandhu’s contributions to the Language
Movement. In some instance, his role has been downplayed. Keeping those in
mind, this article attempts to portray the real extent of Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman’s role in the Language Movement.
If the history
of the Language Movement is analyzed, the truth about Bangabandhu’s
contributions becomes crystal clear. After the 1947 partition, Mohammad Ali
Jinnah became the virtual overlord of Pakistan. Among the two newly created
provinces, the rulers of West Pakistan started discriminating against East
Pakistan on a variety of issues, including language. This gave rise to the
Language Movement. Right after the birth of Pakistan in 1947, some political
activists gathered in Sirajuddoula Hotel in Kolkata to discuss the future of
East Pakistan. That meeting resolved to form a non-communal political movement
and organization in Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was present in that
meeting.
In an activists
conference held on 6 and 7 September, 1947 in Dhaka, the Democratic Youth
League was formed. The said conference adopted some proposals regarding
language. In this regard GaziulHuq comments: “The adopted proposals of the
conference were read out by the erstwhile student leader Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman”. Raising the proposal regarding language, he said: “The workers
conference in East Pakistan proposes that, Bangla language should be made the
medium of writing and legal/administrative language of East Pakistan. As to
what would be the language of the entire Pakistan should be left to further
discussions, negotiations, and decisions of the general people. The people’s
decision should be considered final in this regard”.
This is how the
first cry for language rights was made [Source:
“BhashaAndoloneBanagabandhu’rBhumika”,
GaziulHuq,
(Language Movement and Bangabandhu)’, BangabandhuGobeshonaKendro 1994].
Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman directly joined the Language Movement after coming back
to East Pakistan from India. At the outset of the movement, he participated in
the activities for national language movement of TomuddunMojlish. Biographer of
Bangabandhu’s early life Professor Dr. Mazharul Islam states in this regard:
“Sheikh Mujibur Rahman helped and supported this party on many works related to
the national language” (Source: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, Mazharul Islam:
Dhaka, Agami Publication, 1993, Page 104). In 1947, he participated in the
signature collection campaign and various meetings and processions with the
RashtroBhashaShongramPorishod. On 5 December 1947, he led a procession and
attended the meeting of the Muslim League Working Committee held at the
residence of NawabNazimuddin, demanding Bangla be recognized as the state
language.
In
December 1947, 14 language heroes including contemporary some politicians,
formulated a 21 points manifesto which for the first time propagated the
Language Movement. Within those 21 points in the manifesto, the second item was
regarding the state language. This historical document came out as a small
booklet called: “Rashtrobhasha
Ekush DofaIshtehar-
Oitihashik Dolil” (State Language-21 Points
Manifesto- Historical Document). This booklet is recognized a historical
documentary evidence of the Language Movement. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had an
undeniable contribution in the drafting of this manifesto and was one of the
key signatories. In this regard, Professor of History at Dhaka University, Dr.
Syed Anowar Hossain says: “The publication of the booklet within 3-4 months of
the creation of Pakistan represented a call for the residents of East Pakistan
to wake up from the illusion of the concept of Pakistan. The people in whose
name the booklet came out were all dedicated activists for the movement of
Pakistan. It is to be noted that one of these people was Faridpur’s (currently
Gopalganj) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; who subsequently led Bangladesh to its
creation as Bangabandhu” (To know more, see “RashtrobhashaEkushDofaIshtehar -
OitihashikDolil”, Shaikhul Bari, Reprinted January 2002).
The “Workers
Camp” at No. 150 Mogultuli was at that time the meeting hub of progressive
students, youths and political activists. The members of the Workers Camp
exposed the issue of Bangla language and other discrimination by Pakistan in
front of the nation. The people in support of the Language Movement used to
regularly frequent this place and many plans to realize the goal of making
Bangla the state language used to be pitched here. Sheikh Mujib, Showkat Ali,
Kamruddin Ahmed and others were the lifeblood of this camp. Bahauddin Chowdhury
states: “Even after the formation of Pakistan in 1947, 150 Mogultuli continued
to be the incubator of opposition politics. Leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
Zahiruddin and Naimuddin used to gather at 150 Mogultuli”. (Source: 150 Mogultuli,
Bahauddin Chowdhury, JanakanthaEid Edition, 2008). The East Pakistan Muslim
Students League was formed on 4 January 1948. The legacy of this organization
in the history of the Language Movement was remarkable. Formed under the aegis
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 4 January 1948, the 10-point demands of
Students League included, among others, the demand to make Bangla a state
language of Pakistan, recruitment of Bangali officers in the military and
mandatory military education for all.
During
the strike of 26 February, there was a meeting chaired by Chief Professor
AbulKashem at Dhaka University premises. Students from Dhaka University, Dhaka
Medical College, Engineering College and Engineering School boycotted their
classes and joined the meeting. As to the contributions of Sheikh Mujib during
the 26 February strike, Dr. Mazharul Islam states: “It should be noted that in
this procession, Sheikh Mujibur played a leading role in the overall management
and direction. Sheikh Mujib, along with other progressive student leaders
deeply understood the need for building up a universal campaign for
establishing Bangla as a state language” (Source: Language Movement and Sheikh
Mujib, Pages 19-20). He met with leaders of ShongramParishad and even released a
joint statement. The ShongramParishad was reformed at the joint meeting of
TomoddunMajlish and Muslim Students League held at FazlulHuq Muslim Hall on 2
March 1948. This meeting was attended by leaders and activists of various
organizations, of whom Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ShamsulHuq, Oli Ahad, Muhammad
Toaha, AbulKashem, Ronesh Das Gupta, AjitGuha were notable. The meeting decided
to build up a concerted movement against position on Bangla language of
National Assembly and Muslim League by forming the All Party Council for
Struggle on State Language. This included two members each from GanaAzadi
League, Democratic Youth League, East Pakistan Muslim Students League,
TomoddunMajlish, committees of residential halls and youth organizations.
ShamsulAlam was elected as the Convener of the Council. Sheikh Mujib played an
active, bold and farsighted role in the formation of the Council.
11 March of 1948
was a memorable day for the history of the Language Movement. On this date, a
spontaneous strike was observed throughout the country for demanding Bangla as
the state language. This was the first successful strike in the history of the
Language Movement as well as after the formation of Pakistan. Sheikh Mujib was
arrested and repressed by police after leading this strike. Language Veteran
Oli Ahad in his book “National Politics 1945-1975” wrote: “In order to take
part in the strike, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to Dhaka from Gopalganj on 10
March. During the strike programme of 11 March, Sheikh Mujib was so involved and
excited that this strike redefined the course of life”. The publication “Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman: Life and Politics”, edited by Monayem Sarkar and published by
Bangla Academy states: “This was the first arrest for him in independent
Pakistan”
In order to make the strike on 11 March
successful, a statement was released to the press on 9 March, 1948. This was
signed by Professor AbulKashem (Secretary of TomoddunMajlish), Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman (Member of East Pakistan Muslim League Council), Naimuddin Ahmed (Convener
of East Pakistan Muslim Students League) and Abdur Rahman Chowdhury (Leader of
Pakistan delegation in Southeast Asia Youth Conference). The significance of
this statement was immense in the context of national politics and history of
the Language Movement. Being arrested on 11 March was a turning point in the
life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Speaking on the importance of 11
March in the history of the Language Movement and his own arrest, Bangabandhu
said: “The Language Movement did not start on 21 February 1952, it mainly
started on 11 March, 1948” (Source: Daily Azad, 16 February, 1971). He added
“Our movement started with the formation of the All Party Council for State
Language by the Students League on 11 March 1948. On that day, I was arrested
at around 9 in the morning. My fellow activists were also arrested. From there,
the movement went ahead in phases”. On 15 March 1948, the Chief Minister of
East Pakistan KhwajaNazimuddin signed an 8-points agreement with the Council
for the Struggle of State Language. Before the agreement was signed, it was
shown to the arrested activists of the Language Movement, who also gave their
approval to the deal. Only after such endorsement was the agreement signed.
Among those incarcerated, Sheikh Mujib also viewed the document and gave his
approval. This historic agreement resulted in the first official recognition of
Bangla as a language of education. The terms of the agreement also resulted in
the arrested language activists being freed, including Sheikh Mujib. The deal
also signified the defeat of the powerful government to the demands of the
people of East Pakistan. However, the government started dilly dallying with
the issue of liberating the incarcerated leaders from March 15. This made
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman furious and he issued a strong condemnation of it.
On March 16, 1948, a general students’
demonstration was held under the Banyan Tree in Dhaka University to consolidate
the Language Movement. Following the demonstration, a procession was taken out
towards the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly. This meeting was led by the
recently freed leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. From the narrative of Bangabandhu,
it was learnt that some excesses were committed during the demonstration and
procession. He said: “There was some demonstration against the MLAs. Abuses
were hurled against and some were even roughed up. One MLA from Bagerhat named
Dr. Moazzem was confined by students in Muslim Hall. I went there to arrange
his release. Shawkat was injured on the evening of that day by police” (Source:
BhashaAndolonProshongo, Certain Documents, Part 2, Badruddin Omar: Dhaka,
Bangla Academy, 1985, Page 325).
On March 17, 1948, a general students’
demonstration was held under the Banyan Tree in Dhaka University called by East
Pakistan Muslim Students League led by Naimuddin Ahmed. Sheikh Mujib
participated in that meeting (See National Politics, 1945-1975, Oli Ahad). The
decision was taken to observe nationwide strike in educational institutions on
the 17th. The strike of that day received never seen before support. Sheikh
Mujib came to be known as a youth leader with a resolute stance and unfettering
courage from that time onward to the general student body. Due to the
relentless efforts of Sheikh Mujib, Tajuddin Ahmed, Mohammad Toaha, Naimuddin
Ahmed, Shawkat Ali, Abdul Matin, ShamsulHuq and others the Language Movement
spread across East Pakistan as a mass movement. Entire Bangladesh was
reverberating with the vibrations of meetings, processions and slogans. There
were posters on the walls of streets after streets saying “We Want Bangla as
State Language”. To realize the demand, the Shongram Committee worked without
rest. Among those student leaders who worked inextricably with the Committee,
Sheikh Mujib was most notable. His role was particularly effective when leading
processions or demonstrations. (Source: Language Movement and Bangabandhu, Page
3). In 1949, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested twice for his activities in the
movement.
Sheikh Mujib was in jail during the
explosive phase of the Language Movement in 1952. Although he was not
physically present during the activities of that time, he used to meet with the
activists in jail and give directions. (Source: 21st February, National to
International, Dr. Mohammad Hannan, Page 53). In this regard, Language Veteran
GaziulHuq wrote in his memoirs: “After being arrested in the October of 1948,
Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was incarcerated at various prisons up to the
February of 1952. Hence, naturally, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could not physically
participate in the Language Movement of 1952. But from jail, he maintained
communications with the activists and leaders of the movement and advised on
various issues”. (GaziulHuq, “Amar Dekha, Amar Lekha”, Page 40). The key leaders
of the movement, including AbdusSamad Azad, Zillur Rahman, Kamruzzaman, Abdul
Matin and others have all unequivocally stated that Bangabandhu used to send
his directions through small pieces of paper from jail and subsequently from
hospital. Language Veteran and renowned journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury wrote
in his article “EKushNiyeKichuSriti, KichuKotha” that Sheikh Mujib sent letters
to multiple leaders of Students’ League before being taken to Faridpur Jail on
February 16, 1952. (Source: Bhalobashi Matribhasha, Page 62).
National leader Shaheed Suhrawardy took a
stance against the Language Movement of 1952. He issued a statement supporting
Urdu as the state language. The movement could have suffered immense damage had
he maintained this stance of his. (Source: (Source: 21st February, National to
International, Dr. Mohammad Hannan, Page 53).
But Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was able to
change his mind in this regard and was able to solicit his support for the
cause of promulgating Bangla as the state language. He himself observed in this
regard: “We got into a lot of trouble when Shaheed Suhrawardy issued the
statement regarding language. So, in the June of that year, I went to Karachi
to meet him. I explained the situation to him and asked him to issue a statement
supporting the demand for Bangla”. (Source: Language Movement of East Bengal
and Contemporary Politics, Part 3, Badruddin Omar, Page 396). Due to
Bangabandhu’s love for his language and political will, Suhrawardy did finally
issue a statement supporting instatement of Bangla as a state language of
Pakistan. That statement was published by Ittefaq on June 29, 1952. In 1952, a
statement of MaulanaBhashani was featured in Daily Ittefaq. There he said: “If
Mujibhad not convince Suhrawardy to change his mind about supporting Bangla
language, then not only the Language Movement, but the future of Awami League
too would have been rendered uncertain”. Only a farsighted leader like
Bangabandhu could have achieved such a feat. This contribution of Bangabandhu to
Bangla language and the Language Movement would remain etched in time
immemorial.
On April 27,
1952, the council of district and sub-district level representatives of the
“ShorbodoliyoRashtrobhashaShongramParishad” was held. During chairing the
event, AtaurRahman Khan at one point fell unconscious from illness. At this
point, the written speech of the chair was read out by Kamruddin Ahmed. In that
representative conference, on behalf of Awami League, a speech was delivered by
the party’s acting General Secretary Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu did not
leave the cause of Bangla language even after 1952. His contributions in the
events leading up to the Language Movement is undeniable. In the legislative
assembly, his voice roared with the demands of making Bangla a state language,
using Bangla at all levels, and conducting the day to day activities of the
Assembly in Bangla.
Bangabandhu played a key role in
observing the first anniversary of Ekushe in 1953. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman was at the front of every demonstration and procession on that day. In
the public rally at Armanitola Field, he requested that 21st February be
observed as the martyrs day and demanded that Bangla be immediately be
recognized as the state language.
Jukto Front was formed using the spirit
unleashed by the Language Movement of 1952. During 1954, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
played a crucial role in contemporary politics and development of Bangla
language as a Minister of Jukto Front government. In later times, he was able
to voice these demands for Bangla language and the Bangalis of East Pakistan in
a more amplified manner in front of the nation.
The responsibility of resolving the
language issue fell on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman because of his undying
love of Bangla and his successful and prudent leadership in nurturing the
potential and development of Bangla at all levels. This great man introduced to
the world stage the struggle for Bangla, the language and its users. The
historic role he played by delivering his speech in Bangla at the United
Nations on September 25 1974 will forever be remembered in golden letters. This
was the first successful attempt at establishing the dignity of Bangla language
on the international arena.
On January 17, 1956, Bangabandhu demanded
that the daily cause list of the Legislative Assembly be published in Bangla.
On the session of February 7 of the same year, he said regarding the issue of
state language vis-a-vis the draft constitution: “In East Bengal, we don’t
understand official language to be the same as state language. Hence, the
provision in the draft constitution dealing with language of the state has been
inserted with ulterior motives”. He reminded everyone that 56% people of
Pakistan speak in Bangla and said: “No games can be played regarding the
question of state language. The demand of the people of East Pakistan is that
Bangla be also recognized as a state language”. On the session of the
Legislative Assembly on February 16, he reiterated his demand to make Bangla a
state language. (Source: BhalobashiMatribhasha, Publication on the 50th
Anniversary of the Language Movement, Bangladesh Awami League, March 2002,
Pages 182-191).
During his time as the President, on
March 12, 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his official order to
start using Bangla as the official language. Promulgated by President Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, the order stated: “The state language of the People’s Republic
of Bangladesh is Bangla. Bangla is our national language. However, it has been
noticed with utmost regret that even after three years of independence,
officials documents are still being drafted in the foreign language English
instead of the mother language Bangla. It is difficult to believe that those
who don’t have love for their mother languagecan have love for their
motherland. It is intolerable that Bangali officials of Bangladesh would draft
their documents in English even after three years have passed. Such
irregularities are taking place despite my previous order. Such insubordination
cannot be allowed to continue” (Secretariat of the President, Ganabhaban,
Dhaka, Dated 30/12/75, General-729/9(400), 12 March 1975).
While addressing
a meeting at Bangla Academy on February 15, 1971 , the then President of Awami
League Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stated: “With respect to the martyrs
of the Language Movement, I announce that from the day my party assumes power,
Bangla would be used at all levels of offices, courts and national lives. We
will not wait for formalities to do this. Because that would risk preventing us
from introducing Bangla at all levels. This way, we may commit some errors.
However, that is not paramount. We need to advance notwithstanding"
(Source: Daily Pakistan, 16 February, 1971).
He helped insert
Bangla as the state language in the constitution of 1972. This was the first
constitution in the world promulgated in Bangla. The undisputed leader and
architect of Bangladesh’s independence said: “Bangladesh’s independence and
sovereignty are the far reaching implications of the Language Movement” (Daily
Sangbad, February 21, 1975). This is a historic fact that our cherished
independence emanated from an unbroken chain of struggle starting from the one
for Bangla language rights. Bangabandhu acted as the principal architect who
paved the way from the beginning of this struggle to its ultimate resolution,
enabling us to launch ourselves as an independent nation on the world map.
Bangabandhu’s contributions as the founder of this geographical area called
“Bangladesh” must be recognized for historical reasons. To deny him his
rightful place is tantamount to denial of our own history, heritage, nationhood
and very existence.
