As we look back to the eventful and memorable Mujibnagar days and the role played by the

Mujibnagar government during the nine-month long War of Independence of Bangladesh in

1971, our hearts glow with warm feelings of pride and glory. The country and the people will
always gratefully cherish the memories of the freedom fighters and those political leaders
who led them with deep affection and profound regard.
The formation of the Mujibnagar government and its pronouncement to the world at large on
April 17, 1971 is really a red-letter day in our national history especially after a thumping
victory of the Awami League in the elections of 1970 under the leadership of Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The 167 MNAs and 293 MPs who composed the Constituent
Assembly in their boundless duty, right and constitutional obligation to the electors, gave it a
true shape and constitutional perspective on this day making the dream of an independent
Bangladesh a reality. From this point of view Mujibnagar day (17th April) is a landmark in
our struggle for independence as well as in our national history.
The Mujibnagar government was formed on April 17, 1971 at the Baidyanathtala mango
grove of Meherpur, a former subdivision of Kushtia district following the 10th April
proclamation of Independence Order of Bangladesh. The oath taking was witnessed by
hundreds of foreign journalists who had assembled there to hail the birth of a new nation. The
President of the new nation was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; Syed Nazrul Islam
became the acting president; Tajuddin Ahmed, the Prime Minister; M. Mansur Ali, the
Finance Minister; M. Quamruz Zaman, the Home, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister and
Khandakar Mustaque Ahmed, Foreign Affairs and Law Minister. General M. A. G. Osmani
who was then a retd Colonel and MNA elected from Awami League was made the C-in-C of
the Bangladesh armed forces.
Bangladesh has been always shaped by events as much as by people and leaders. In the long
and turbulent history of the country, there are great events, rebellions, wars, victories,
assassinations, crackdowns and massacres. Which are the most important? It is impossible to
rank them on importance. Everyone is unique in nature and importance. Mujibnagar Day is
one such watershed event in the annals of our glorious liberation struggle. Karl Max once
aptly said: "Revolutions are the locomotives of history" and our 1971 liberation struggle was
a great revolution and our revolution was the locomotive of our history.

Bangladesh's provisional government in exile was formed on April 10, 1971 with Syed
Nazrul Islam as Acting President, Tajuddin Ahmad as Prime Minister and Colonel M.A.G.
Osmani as Chief of Army Staff 'as the rightful constitutional, logical, and realistic step
forward towards the full realization of our dream of an independent country of our own.' But
the seventeenth of April is traditionally celebrated as Mujibnagar Day in the country because
the oath-taking ceremony of our provisional government took place on that date. The address
of Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad at the historic oath taking ceremony of the first cabinet of
the People's Republic of Bangladesh at Mujibnagar on April 17, 1971 is an epoch-making
event in our history and his speech is of immense importance for fighting against the
Pakistani occupation forces and at one point of his address, he said: "Pakistan is now dead
and buried under a mountain of corpses." Yes, Pakistan was buried.

The most devastating war was ever fought in this sacred soil in 1971. On Decembet16, 1971,
the war was over but by this time hundreds of thousands had died and Bangladesh was in
ruins. It would take huge time for the nation to recover. To us in Bangladesh, the reflections
of Mujibnagar Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the
country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it
has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given Bangladesh to show her sympathy
with peace and justice for betterment of its nation.

Mujibnagar Day continues to be observed on April 17. The observance of the day does not
only preserve the historical significance of the date, but help focus attention on the important
purpose of Mujibnagar Day. It is a celebration to honour Bangladesh's veterans for their
patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
April 17 is a special day in our life. It is a day of honour and reverence; it is a solemn day. On
this great day, we must recognise an unfortunate fact of life; our beloved government was
formed and is protected by the blood of warriors. As unfortunate as this is we can be
thankful, because over the years Bangladesh has answered the call every time our way of life
has been threatened. People of Bangladesh signed blank checks payable with their lives to the
cause of creating Bangladesh. With a simple analogy, Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam
and Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad declared the forming of provisional government in exile
to fight a people's war against the brutal Pakistan military forces and their heinous local
collaborators. 

There are many veterans among us on Mujibnagar Day and on other days. These days have
been made for the ones who left home but did not return. We gather in order to remember
those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and pay them homage. Our purpose should
be to observe those days to gather around the sacred remains of our comrades who died in
defence of our country and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest
flowers of spring time, and raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonour. We
should suggest a respectful and gracious disposition for the Mujibnanga Day and other days
affirming we ought to cherish tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their
breasts a barricade between our country and its foes. 

How do we measure the sacrifices? We could start by counting the number of deaths in
service to this country - somewhere over three million. We could count the number of fathers,
brothers, husbands, mothers, sisters, or wives that never came home from the war zones back.
If we envision a civilian funeral, we can count the number of times a Bangladesh's flag is
folded before it is handed to a widow. We could count the number of shots fired after she
receives the flag, or the number of notes in taps. Maybe we can count the number of nights
she goes without sleep, the number of times she asks Allah, "Why?", or the number of tears
she cries. We could count the number of little league games a boy's father will not be there
for, or the number of walks a mother will not be able to go on with her daughter. If we were
able to add all of these things up, perhaps it would give us some idea of the sacrifices that
have been made for our freedoms. However, in reality such things are not quantifiable. We
cannot count the grief in a mother's heart when she finds out her son or daughter is not
returning home from a battlefield. We cannot count the thoughts that go through a freedom
fighter's head as he gasps for his last few breaths of air while his buddies try in vain to save
his life. Truly, the sacrifices made by this nation's heroes and their families are immeasurable.
These are the grim realities of our freedom. Freedom ranks among the greatest of gifts known
to man, but like anything of value, it has its price. Those who have lost a loved one in service
to our country are all too familiar with the price that must be paid. They know what it is like
to have their worst nightmare come true when they see their husbands, sons and daughters are
finally not returned. When the doorbell rings they already know that their near and dear ones
were brutally slaughtered and their dead bodies were allowed to eat by the vultures, dogs,
jackals and other human flesh eaters instead of burial. Those who have not experienced such
things will never understand freedom in the way those who have do, because no one can feel
the pain they have lived through. People in Bangladesh, then, having never laid such a
sacrifice upon freedom's altar, hold a very narrow view of what freedom really is. Though our
understanding of the freedom with which we are provided for a longer period of time by the
military dictators turned shenanigan politicians like Zia, Ershad and Zia's worthy wife
Khaleda Zia and their mango-twigs may be limited, let our gratitude to those who have given
their lives to provide it, and our compassion for their loved ones, be unending.

This begs the question, how do we show our gratitude to our men and women who have
given their lives for us? As they are no longer physically with us, surely we cannot verbally
thank them, except through prayer. It is impossible to know the intentions behind each
person's service, and some who gave their lives for this country so valiantly. There is a way
to give gratitude to each man and woman who died for this country, regardless of the reason
for their service. Making this country something worth dying for is the ultimate service we
can do for them. We can do this in our own unique way according to our abilities, and when
we do it redeems their sacrifices. As long as we bear this in mind and act upon it we are
honouring our fallen heroes, but if we as a society do not show gratitude for their sacrifices,
their memory fades away. They gave the last full measure for us; their blank checks were
cashed. Let us not commit the injustice of taking their sacrifices for granted. None of our
fallen war-fighters wanted to die for us. But if these things must happen, let them happen in
the name of something befitting of such a noble and heroic act.
Their honour can never be taken away from them. This is because although they had to leave
behind wives, husbands, children, and a lifetime of memories they never got to make, the
honour they earned by the sacrifice of their blood abides with them eternally. They remain
with us in spirit to the extent we dignify their offering.

The Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War was obviously a point in Bangladesh's history that
greatly impacted the future of our independence and was what inspired the French people to
revolt against King Louis and Queen Marie of France. "Once the cabinet was announced,
oath of office administered on April 17, 1971, and the green flag of Bangladesh with the red
disc in the centre hallowed by the golden map of Bangladesh was raised with the rendering of
'Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobashi', the entire gathering raised Joy Bangla, Joy
Bangabandhu slogans in unison. The whole garden appeared to me to be trembling with joy"
is truly said by Mahbubuddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram. 

Mujibnagar Day is an event marking a unique or important historical change of course or one
on which important developments depend and shape the history of Bangladesh's War of
Independence in 1971. It is truly an epoch-making event for the freedom loving people of
Bangladesh.

The formation of Bangladesh's provisional government on April 17, 1971 was a milestone in
the history of Bangalee nation. It led to the real birth of a new nation. And we should study
history because in history lies all the secrets of statecraft. In the long history of the world,
only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of
maximum danger. Our people did not shrink from this responsibility; we welcome it because
we had the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or
to make it the last. Roman philosopher Cicero said: "History is the witness that testifies to the
passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and
brings us tidings of antiquity." Under the current situation, we should have firm
determination, selfless sacrifice, and deep sense of patriotism for protection and proper
implementation of the spirit of our liberation war against the evil designs of a section of our
people who are out to establish the so-called Bangladeshi nationalism based on religion.

Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury BB has termed the Mujibnagar Government as a 'Milestone

of our national history' saying that it gave 'life and legitimacy' to the national liberation
movement both internally and internationally. Reaffirmation of strong conviction and united
endeavour, as in 1971, are possibly the real need of the hour for us. We are sure the new
generation will go back to the sources of history and find out the real history because the
truth shall prevail. And the nation should gratefully remember the heroic courage, conviction,
and determination of the politicians, the freedom fighters, and the people in general who
sacrificed their everything for the cause of an independent country of our own on this
auspicious Mujibnagar Day.

Herculean task
It was a herculean task. Organizing civil administration and the freedom fighters, securing
arms for the latter and training them, mobilizing international support for the liberation war
through intense diplomatic action, ensuring speedy communication and effective coordination
of various activities at hundred different levels, above all, keeping the morale of the freedom
fighters high throughout the dark, difficult and strenuous days of the war. They called for
extraordinary wisdom, dedication, patience, foresight, courage and tenacity on the part of the
Mujibnagar government and all those connected with it.

The formation of the Mujibnagar Government had great significance for the fact that the great
men who gave leadership to this great event in the absence of the supreme leader and
continued the armed struggle for the following eight months, having allowed no breach in the
unity of their people, which was one of the cornerstones of our total liberation war, fought
valiantly involving everyone and above all kept the supreme leader alive in the minds of
every freedom fighter as if he was fighting side by side with them.
17th April in fact, gave the total war effort a fuller meaning, it cemented the unity of the
people, brought the world closer to the existence of freedom fighters and made the war efforts
bloom in its full focus and realised the presence of Bangladesh in the comity of nations. It
was in effect a formal introduction to the rest of the world of the nature of the political
leadership that was set to guide the nation into a concerted and organised war of national
liberation.
That Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the Paramount leader of the country, both in
its struggle for constitutional legitimacy and military triumph was given political and moral
sanction by everything that happened on April 17, 1971 in a spot of territory that was to be
forever transformed in the annals of politics.

An absolute necessity
Bangabandhu had never preached revolution and political terrorism had never been part of
his platform. Therefore, when the assault of the Pakistani military machine came, it remained
for him to inform his associates that a long and hard struggle on the battlefield had become
necessary. The declaration of independence he made moments before his arrest by the
Pakistani military forced upon his associates the need for armed struggle. And that was proof
that while he awaited uncertain and terrible incarceration, he had briefed his associates on
what needed to be done. The dispersal of the leadership out of Dhaka as the army went into
action was a sign that there was to be no turning back from the course Bengalis had set for
themselves. And thus the formation of Mujibnagar government was undoubtedly a rightful
constitutional as well as logical and realistic step by the trusted and capable associates of the
great leader.

The establishment of the Mujibnagar government was an absolute necessity for another
reason. Had it not been put in place, it is reasonably certain that diffuse guerilla movements
would have spawned all over the country without any form of central control. The danger
inherent in such politics lies in an absence of legitimacy. And in Bangladesh's politics at that
point in time, the absence of the Mujibnagar government would only have given the freedom
struggle a clearly secessionist hue, to the immense delight of the Pakistanis and to the
consternation of a Bengali population directly in the military's line of fire. Seen in such light,
the presence of Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam and Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed
with their colleagues deep in Meherpur in April 1971 was a clear, unequivocal statement of
intent: that the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh had taken it upon
themselves to give shape and substances to an independent statehood for them.

It was thus the global community that was left with hardly a choice. The initiation of the war
of national liberation, given the fact that it was being waged by a leadership privy to the
electorally acknowledged support of the nation, could not be dismissed as an insurrection or a
secessionist enterprise. Moreover, the military's misadventure (swooping upon Bengali
political aspirations through an exercise of brazenness) assisted the cause not a little.
Flight to India
The killing of unarmed civilians, the razing of villages and townships and the atrocities
against women only strengthened the cause of the provisional government. In the months
between March and December 1971, the flight of ten million people to India convinced the
global community of the necessity and the righteousness of the Bengali cause, and helped the
Mujibnagar government to inform the world that there was no alternative to an independent
Bangladesh.
The provisional government undertook the onerous responsibility of moulding international
opinion in Bangladesh's favour: the effort was assisted a great deal by the momentum of
declaration of allegiance to the national struggle by Bengali diplomats stationed in Pakistani
missions abroad. Placing the entire diplomatic efforts in the hands of a well-respected
personality like Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury was yet another factor for the success of the
efforts of Mujibnagar government in mobilising world opinion in our favour.
The speeches and statements made by the Acting President, late Syed Nazrul Islam, Prime
Minister late Tajuddin Ahmed and other leaders of the exiled Mujibnagar government at the
formal oath taking ceremony and other subsequent occasions were widely appreciated world
over as those reflected really democratic and progressive principles of the new government.
The guiding principles and the state policies announced time to time by the government in
exile were all fully democratic based on universal human rights principles and other widely
accepted international norms and protocols.
Finally the formation of Mujibnagar government was the real birth of a new nation -- a nation
imbued with the spirit of democratic value, nationalism, secularism and socialism obtained
from the call of a man whose stature as a statesman had surpassed that of any of his time and
most of his predecessors, who united the Bengali speaking people on a piece of land as one
man and raised a nation of indomitable courage, powerful and splendid in its commitment
that went head on to face a fiercely equipped army of Pakistan, bare-handed bred with
conviction and valour and strength of insurmountable will and unity to be independent and
ready to shed the last drop of blood of every individual born on this soil then called East
Pakistan.

Conclusion
As we look back on 17th April 1971, we honour the constitutional successes and the pride in
establishing self-governance after 24 years of economic, political and cultural subjugation by
the West Pakistan establishment. At the same time, we should celebrate the lives of the iconic
Mujibnagar figures, without whose leadership and bravery, it may very well have been
difficult for Bangladesh to achieve what was certainly a miraculous victory. Bangladeshis
develop their perception of history based on their implicit and explicit support for their
respective political parties. As such, our national leadership would do well to highlight the
influence and contributions of the iconic Mujibnagar leaders, without whom the history of
this country would be unequivocally incomplete.
 An Assignment
on

Mujibnagar Government in
The Emergence of Bangladesh

Submitted to-
A.S.M Firoz-Ul-Hasan
Guest Professor
Dept. of Government & Politics
Jahangirnagar University
Savar,Dhaka.

Submitted by:
Anika Tabassum Meem
Jahangirnagar University
Dept. of Finance & Banking,8th Batch
Class roll:1666
Registration number: 45422
14 September, 2017