Prison’s Diary/কারাগারের রোজনামচা 

Review on:
26th June, 1966 – 6th August, 1966
(Page- 125 to 193)

In the diary of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, during his time in
jail as a state prisoner, being captured in the year 1966 after the placement of 6 points demand in
Lahore, a clear depiction of his prison life during the Pakistan regime is noted. The picture of the
life of a state prisoner and the day to day activities that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had to undergo
to not only serve his time as a prisoner but also to keep himself occupied at the fullest form even
inside a jail, under the state of being imprisoned is clearly pictured in the notebook. The

struggles and his endeavour to reduce the loss of valuable time during his time being imprisoned
has been profoundly reflected from his daily lifestyle. In the notebook, the father of the nation,
provides a comprehensive account of jail customs and conventions, his political view and his
pain for being separated from his family due to the autocratic Pakistani rule. In the journal, it is
clearly understood that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been deeply frustrated from
time to time, to have his days wasted inside prison where he was not even allowed to read the
newspapers or magazines he would have chosen, while the then East Pakistan had been under a
severe injustice. From the journal, we can also see what the current condition of the then East
and West Pakistan was from the eyes of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The East Pakistan and the
Bengalis were under indescribable oppression from the autocratic ruling of the West Pakistani
Government. The unrest in the then East Pakistan and the Bengalis was profoundly pictured in
the book. The oppression Bengalis had to go through in the pre liberation-war era, where their
fundamental rights were violated is also portrayed. Daily newspaper- Ittefaq was banned from
the country just for reflecting the scenario of injustice happening at that time. Not only that, the
owner of the Daily Ittefaq had been under investigation and his personal wealth and property was
under auction without any trail or judgement done about the matter. Furthermore, the price of
day to day necessities were drastically high and the general people were under severe turmoil to
survive in that situation even though the government of West Pakistan had enough ration of food
crops in storage. Yet, the general people had to starve helplessly from one day to the other. One
notable instance of that scenario is Bangabandhu’s remembrance of the incident he had not long
ago heard, where a mother had to sell her infant child only at the price of 10 Taka to keep on
surviving, because she had nothing else to sell, no other option left to use in order to survive and
not starve to death. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s deep sympathy and regret for being
unable to do anything to help the needy people at that situation is heart-wrenching to read. In the
Prisoner’s Diary, we get to see an unfamiliar version of the father of the nation which is not so
often portrayed. The profound patriotism and unapologetic devotion towards the betterment of
the nation is depicted thoroughly in the book, even under the hardships of imprisonment. We
also get to see Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s affection towards the suffering inmates
inside the prison. The life inside prison is comprehended in a very different and surprising way
where the many injustices of Pakistani Government is further pictured, and rather profoundly.
The way a large population of the inmates were wrongfully held imprisoned is shocking to read
and see from the perspective of Bangabandhu. Many of these inmates were tortured wrongfully,
held imprisoned without any proper trial or transgression on their account. Of the inmates who
were there for their criminal offense is seen to be not the monsters they are thought out to be, but
mostly, victim of cruel circumstances. The strong hope of Bangabandhu that someday they
would get out of there and live a live on the righteous path henceforth, and his affection towards
these people, not seeing them as solely criminals, but people who did mistakes is deeply
commiserating, unconditional and uplifting to read. It provided us with a unique perspective
nullifying the preconceived prejudices against criminals from their crimes. Throughout his days
in prison, Bangabandhu describes his loneliness and determination not to lose mental or physical
stability in spite of this loneliness and bindings. We can see the reflection of Bangabandhu’s
personal life with his family, his children and his loving wife Renu and also his time as a captive
state prisoner shift from one to the other, in his own words his two homes,from time to time. It is
certain from reading the book that he believed the 6 points movement to be the minimal
condition for having the rights of the Bangladeshi people. Through reading this book we can see
the insights about his political stand based on the situation of the then East and West Pakistan.
He supported socialism with his heart. He opposed the activities of the USA about creating
unstable situations in other countries. He also mentioned his views about the war in Vietnam, the
political agitation in Nigeria, Indonesia. The strong willpower of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman to keep fighting for his nation and his country, unconditionally, for the betterment of the
nation, so that they never have to fall under oppression as such as this is the highlight of the
journal. He had forsaken the easy life void of injustice and we can see, that not once had he
doubted or questioned his purpose to serve the nation. Which is why, even after the degree of
insufferable pain and injustice that he was under, his unalterable and irrefutable patriotism shone
through. In conclusion, Prison Diaries contain about Bangabandhu’s time in prison, his thoughts
there, the encounters with people and unforgettable experiences he had then, and the vision he
nurtured for the future of Bangladesh even in the dark days of confinement and isolation from his
dear ones.