Historic Mujibnagar Day and the Liberation War of Bangladesh. April 17 is Historic Mujibnagar Day. On this day in 1971, the first government of independent Bangladesh took oath in the mango grove of Baidyanathtala in the then Meherpur sub-division. The day holds immense significance in the history of Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War.
Historic Mujibnagar Day: After the brutal military crackdown by the Pakistani army on the night of March 25, 1971, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was officially formed on April 10. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the President, Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the Acting President in the absence of Bangabandhu, and Tajuddin Ahmad became the Prime Minister. Other cabinet members included Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, Captain M. Mansur Ali, and A.H.M. Qamaruzzaman. General M.A.G. Osmani was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Recognizing the historical importance, Baidyanathtala was renamed Mujibnagar.
The oath-taking ceremony was conducted by MNA Abdul Mannan, and the Declaration of Independence was read out by MNA Professor Yusuf Ali. In the absence of Bangabandhu, a guard of honor was presented to Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam by 12 Ansar members under the leadership of then Sub-Divisional Police Officer Mahbub Uddin.
The Mujibnagar Government was divided into 15 ministries and divisions, with some divisions operating under the direct control of the Cabinet. The Ministry of Defense divided the war-torn country into 11 sectors, appointing a Sector Commander for each.
Although the ministers took oath on April 17, the first Cabinet meeting took place on April 18, where ministries were allocated. Under the successful leadership of the Mujibnagar Government, a nine-month armed struggle culminated in victory on December 16, 1971, and Bangladesh achieved independence. Additionally, thanks to the diplomatic efforts of this government, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was released from a Pakistani prison and returned to Bangladesh on January 10, 1972. India and Bhutan were the first countries to recognize the Mujibnagar Government.
The foundation of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh was laid in Mujibnagar. To bring Bangabandhu’s declaration of independence to reality, top leaders of the then Awami League assembled there. The Struggle Committee, formed to lead the Liberation War, took oath with the cooperation of Indian security forces. Many prominent journalists from home and abroad attended the oath-taking ceremony. In the absence of Bangabandhu, Syed Nazrul Islam took the oath as Acting President. This government, also known as the Mujibnagar Government, led the war for independence over nine challenging months. In Bangabandhu’s absence, this exile government faced countless obstacles and led the nation to final victory against the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16, 1971. Thus, an independent and sovereign Bangladesh was born.
The government’s journey began with the oath-taking in Mujibnagar. Under its leadership, the Liberation War administration, communications, diplomacy, and other essential operations were carried out. The country was divided into several sectors during the war, with Sector Commanders appointed to lead each. India provided the most significant assistance during the war, along with the Soviet Union and other countries. This history is no longer unknown to anyone.
The Mujibnagar Government laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s great Liberation War, and under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has taken various initiatives to preserve and share this history with future generations and the world. But this has always been intolerable to those who flinch at the very mention of “Bangabandhu” and “Liberation War”—descendants of the collaborators who opposed independence in 1971. Taking advantage of the political conspiracy and the change in power on August 5, these anti-liberation forces, along with misled student groups, tried to wipe out the Liberation War’s legacy by attacking symbols like Bangabandhu’s portrait and sculptures across the country, including Dhanmondi 32.
According to Prothom Alo and other national newspapers, over 600 sculptures in the Mujibnagar Shaheed Smriti Complex were destroyed in a single day. After news spread that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had left the country, more than a hundred miscreants stormed the complex in Meherpur on August 5 and smashed the Liberation War sculptures. The attack, described as an act of vandalism, began at around 5 PM.
Eyewitnesses reported that around 5 PM on August 5, more than a hundred youths entered the complex with rods, bamboo sticks, and hammers. They first shattered the head of the sculpture of Bangabandhu and then attacked the “Guard of Honor on April 17” sculpture. Another group damaged sculptures representing the surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16. Though they could not cause much damage there, they did destroy the 11 sector-themed sculptures showing different war zones and threw the pieces around. The attackers also dismantled the main gate of the Shaheed Smriti Soudho.
According to Ansar member Humayun Ahmed, who was on duty at the time, all 600 sculptures, which were a major attraction for thousands of visitors daily, were completely destroyed. The attackers also looted the complex and carried out repeated assaults throughout the night.
The Mujibnagar Memorial was inaugurated on April 17, 1987. To further enhance the site’s historical importance, the Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial Complex was initiated in 1996. A war map was displayed to show the 11 sectors. Murals commemorating key events were installed. Overall, the Mujibnagar Memorial, the complex, the historic mango grove, and the rose garden symbolizing the six-point movement served as vital relics of Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom.
Nothing happens by accident. The attack on the Mujibnagar Memorial was part of a long-standing desire of these forces. Their ancestors avenged the formation of the Mujibnagar Government by killing the four national leaders inside jail on November 3, 1975. Today’s anti-liberation forces, their successors, tried to finish what their forefathers started by destroying every sculpture and structure tied to Bangabandhu, the Liberation War, and the national leaders.
But these anti-liberation forces will never succeed in their evil attempts. No one can erase the contributions of Bangabandhu and the four national leaders in establishing an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. In fact, every attack will only inspire the nation to rise again in new resistance and protest, following the path shown by them. The people of Bangladesh, who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War, firmly believe that under the courageous leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will rise again—and there will be a renewed awakening of the Liberation War spirit.
Writer: Manik Lal Ghosh, Former Vice-President of the Dhaka Journalists’ Union and central executive member of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League.
