Victory Day
Photo: AFP
16 December is a day that takes me back to the day when I stood with other freedom fighters in the then Race Course, Dhaka and witnessed the surrender of the last colonial commander on our soil. We believed on that day without any reservation that, hence the good people of this long subjugated country would be the sole owners of this land and shall govern themselves. With that hope, I returned to Dhaka Medical College to continue my studies to become a physician. But, 36 years later, I wish I were as young as I was then, because that wish and dream was not redeemed! Further struggle is necessary for that 'tryst with destiny' of this nation to come true. One after another, all those leaders who held the banner of freedom high, Bangabandhu, the slain four National Leaders, Zia, Khaled Mosharraf, Monzur, Taher and many more freedom fighter officers of the Army were eliminated by the conspiracy of the establishment that remains as of today pro-Pakistani. The war criminals ascended to the pinnacle of power in this country that we fought for and brought into being. Bangabandhu was too soft and kind, he did allow the whole civil administration to function with the same officers(CSP and EPCS, PFS etc)who only the other day took orders from Yahya Khan. He allowed, the repatriated army officers to join the ranks of the Army that was raised through a freedom struggle. Fidel Castro in the Afro-Asia summit expressed his surprise and dismay to Bangabandhu on this issue. Our great leader did pay dearly and the nation continues to pay for that. Pakistan did not allow any of the 95 thousand soldiers who surrendered in Bangladesh to rejoin their ranks, actually ex-captives are never taken back in any army of the world. Soldiers who fought in the Western Front against India in December, 1971 and who later spent two years in Pakistani custody could not have understood the essence of our freedom struggle. All the Advisers in the present CTG were young enough to join the freedom struggle. They wish to set up National Security Council as a watchdog body over the government and Legislature, they wish to remove our leaders and want their chosen people to be elected, they make and publish lists of "corrupt" people without following the due process of law. This is not understood in Bangladesh and therefore unsustainable in the long run. But as a freedom fighter, thousands of miles away from home, I am still optimistic. The torch is being passed on to a new generation of Bangladeshis, who were born and raised as Bangladeshis, inspired by the freedom struggle, disciplined and experienced by the hardship of dictatorial rule, that still lingers on as a hang-over from the colonial era. On the eve of 16 December, I truly and firmly believe that the essence of our glorious freedom struggle will blend with the spirit of Bangladesh, in my lifetime.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments