Let the country move forward with the spirit of November 7

On 7 November 1975, freedom-loving people and the patriotic army came onto the streets hoping for change. They rose against the counter-revolutionary forces loyal to Indian domination and set a new course for our national history. This complemented the aims and hopes of the 1971 Liberation War.

The aims of the 1971 independence and Liberation War were to ensure democracy, equality, social justice, and economic freedom. But corruption and looting by the ruling Awami League’s MPs, ministers, and party cadres brought a terrible famine to the country. Millions of people died of hunger.

In this situation, Prime Minister Mr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose popularity had hit rock bottom, closed the path of multiparty democracy. He formed the one-party BAKSAL and shut down all media except a few newspapers. He also had thousands of leaders and activists of the opposition party JSD disappeared and killed. This pushed the situation toward an unavoidable public explosion.

Against this background, a section of army officers killed Mr. Sheikh Mujib and his family on 15 August 1975 and placed Mr. Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad in power. The politics of Bangladesh broke free from the grip of Indian domination and started on a new path. But many kinds of plots and conspiracies stayed active against it.

Just two and a half months later, on 3 November, a counter-revolution took place under Brigadier Mr. Khaled Mosharraf. Its aim was to destroy the chance for democracy, good governance, and the fulfilment of public hopes that the events of 15 August had created. In reaction, overenthusiastic soldiers of the Biplobi Sainik Sangstha, backed by JSD, killed Mr. Khaled Mosharraf and removed Mr. Khondaker Mostaq from power. They tried to take power themselves.

But the people and the army stood with General Mr. Ziaur Rahman. He was freed from confinement, and the leadership of the country was handed to him.

Through the revolution of 7 November, Bangladesh declared its resolve to defeat the conspiracy of Indian domination and stand up again on the democratic journey. General Mr. Ziaur Rahman, a brave fighter of 1971, appeared like a pole star to lead a chaotic, lawless, and famine-struck country toward equality, harmony, and multiparty democracy. Still, the plots of the servants and dependents of Indian domination did not stop for even one day.

In the nation’s hard times, he took the state firmly in hand. He founded a new political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on the basis of national unity and understanding. This made his dream of a new Bangladesh shine. He took effective steps to lift the country from the circle of one-party BAKSAL to multiparty democracy. He also took many steps to save the country from hunger, extreme poverty, and famine and move it toward sure prosperity.

He started the canal digging programme and other efforts to bring a revolution in farming. He built good relations with the Middle East countries, which opened jobs abroad. He also played an important role in investment in the export-oriented garment industry. In this way, he awakened the economic potential of Bangladesh.

The soldiers’ and people’s uprising gave Indian domination its first defeat in this country. In the same flow, the BNP, the party founded by Mr. Ziaur Rahman, was established. But the friends of Indian domination did not stop for one day. With Indian backing, Ms. Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime took power in an undemocratic way. It ran a steamroller of torture and oppression over Ms. Khaleda Zia, Mr. Tarique Rahman, and millions of BNP leaders and activists. Even so, it could not crack the party’s inner unity or its public support.

A political ideology backed by the people cannot be wiped out by the unfair use of state power. In the same way, the attempt to erase the 7 November Revolution and Solidarity Day from history was defeated by the student and people’s uprising of 5 August 2024. Ms. Sheikh Hasina ignored the national importance of 7 November. She cancelled the public holiday on this day and issued a notice to mark the birth and death days of her own family members as national days. But she could not turn our new generation of soldiers and people away from the spirit of 7 November.

Why must the spirit of freedom be protected with blood in every age? The history of the revolution of soldiers and people against threats to independence and sovereignty, and against Indian domination, ties 7 November and 5 August together. Our history and textbooks must present the 7 November revolution of soldiers and people properly.

The 7 November revolution of soldiers and people brought General Mr. Ziaur Rahman to power. He was not ready for it. Yet by a turn of fate, power came to his feet. It must be called the country’s good fortune that it found an honest, brave, capable, wise, and far-sighted leader like him. He is the one who gave Bangladesh a new birth. He started his work with firm resolve to rebuild Bangladesh.

He took up the task of keeping the country free from the grip of dominating forces. He set out to define the national identity and build an economically rich Bangladesh. He laid a new foundation for foreign relations. He introduced the philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism, which defines our national identity. He set the goal of making the country self-reliant through a revolution in production.

He adopted the policies of garment export, manpower export, and good relations with all countries. Because of his policies, Bangladesh soon took an important seat in the world. Whatever good and beneficial things have happened in this country, and whatever has helped national self-establishment, Mr. Ziaur Rahman began it. Multiparty democracy, freedom of the press, and the building of many national institutions are his contributions.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party he founded is now in power. His worthy son, Mr. Tarique Rahman, is the Prime Minister. It must be said that Ms. Khaleda Zia followed exactly the policy, ideals, and work that Mr. Ziaur Rahman left behind. Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman is committed to following the ideals of his great father and mother. He is walking the path they showed.

Mr. Ziaur Rahman built deep ties with China. Mr. Tarique Rahman chose China as the second country on his first foreign trip. He was warmly honoured and received in China. China has promised to help Bangladesh. If Bangladesh can make use of that promise, it will not have to look back again.

Most of the progress and prosperity of Bangladesh came during BNP rule. The people hope that under Mr. Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the BNP will bring a new tide of development. All the good name, fame, standing, progress, and growth of the country began with the role of 7 November, the National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Following that historic change, the country will move ahead under Mr. Tarique Rahman.