[chottala.com] Bhasani's Ethics in Politics and the 1972-75 AL Rule

Bhasani's Ethics in Politics and the 1972-75 AL Rule

 (Adapted from Abid Bahar's book, Searching for Bhasani, Citizen of the World, 2010)

Bhasani's understanding of a good society is based on his Sufi understanding of being honest. He realized the deteriorating moral decay of leaders and believed that the remedy was through change in the character.  This is an indication of his prescription of how to get rid of the Nafsányiat (destruction of the ego) of the rulers, which is according to Sufi doctrine, a progressive, long process that is never really completed. Thus "nafsani"implies a progressive purification, a process, rather than revolution or imposition of "Islamic rule" from the above through "Islamic Law" (as in Pakistan).  Bhasani expressed his dismay at the government actions.[1]

Bhasani wrote in a pamphlet in January 1974:

I have said several times to the Prime Minister and his ministers through the newspapers that most of you are my former associates. Neutral observers will be compelled to say that what is happening in today's Bangladesh, with Mujib Bahini,(Mujib's paramilitary force) Rakhi Bahini(the paramilitary defense force), Volunteer Bahini (the volunteer force), M. P.'s, party leaders, there is much more oppression, injustice, corruption, nepotism, and anti-state and anti-social activities than in the former governments of Pakistan. Those who preached honesty in politics are now practicing the opposite. You are absorbed in making money and abusing power. …[2]

While Bhasani's call was for destruction of the ego, the AL government glorified its leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the status of a king. Like Mussolini in Italian fascism the AL asked Bengalis to imitate the dress code of Mujib and only praise Mujib. In the style of an authoritarian rule the government also started its different brigades of para military forces. They became active to keep the opposition under control.

 There was already Mujib Bahini, led by Mujib's nephew, Sheikh Moni.

Later Lal Bahini under Abdul Mannan,

and for Mujib's personal security, Rakkhi Bahini, headed by the Indian army came into existence.

Government banned most newspapers, except Ittifaq and few others, which were government controlled. 

Bengali nationalism was declared as one of the most important goals of the nation to be promoted.

During the state of emergency, the police and court system were also made obsolete. In its place, the AL and its forces started to rule the country by the order of its leaders and their use of force.

Opposition leadership was crushed by random arrests. [3] Mujib laid down extra-ordinary paradoxes and contradictions behind his rhetoric of Mujibbad.

Bhasani organized a public meeting on April 14^th 1974 at the Polton ground. At the meeting he said with a sad voice:

I do not wish to live anymore. Most of my friends and colleagues have passed away. I am alive to see the suffering of human beings, Ashraful Mominin (the best creature of God). Now I want to see that Bengali Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian will have happiness. …[4]

Bhasani was referring to the famine and the continuous suffering it caused. He was sad at the suffering of human beings, the creations of God. Bhasani recommended to Mujib that:

It is not possible for you alone to face …the problem we have in front of us, Mujib, release all the political prisoners. Withdraw all the warrants. Sit with the leaders of the opposition. Put all your energy into saving human beings….[5]

Bhasani with his rubúbiyah vision seem to be progressive in his thinking to preach the welfare of all people. He was ready to sit with the government to find a solution to the famine problem. Maksud says that, unlike the other famines in Bengal, this was not the result of a food shortage. There was plenty of food in stock. [6] Steve Ramer of National Geographic reported that even during the time of the famine in Bangladesh there was 40 hundred thousand tons of rice in store which was one third of a year's requirement.[7]

It is important to note that within three years of Bangladesh's independence, it had received aid valued at two hundred crores from foreign countries, but Bangladeshis died of starvation. The government characterized it as a temporary problem. As soon as foreign aid arrived it was smuggled out to interested quarters. This was blamed on widespread smuggling and hoarding by AL leaders and their host Indian merchant class.[8] Government tried to take some measures. It opened 5,662 temporary kitchens to help the poor. They did not solve the problem and the unrest continued. [9] Mujib cadres were sinning against the nation's most sacred possession, honesty in politics, the source of the Bangladesh nation's vitality.

What is happening today in Bangladesh by the 14 Party Mohajot led by Hasina , the repressive measures against the opposition, widespread corruption, the price hike, cadre politics, India-love is similar to the BKSALITE one party rule during Sk. Mujib's regime from 1972-75.

Bhasani was the founder of the AL party. He was a selfless politician and the opposition leader at the time 1972-75. Bhasani helped Mujib to get elected in 1974 so that he can help built the nation but Mujib was increasingly becoming an authoritarian ruler. From 1974 onward, Bhasani would say that he was going to retire from party politics because his understanding of good society came in sharp contrast with Mujib's, the latter was once his deputy.

Endnotes

---

[1] Syed Abul Maksud, Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, op. cit., p. 483.

 [2] Ibid., pp. 472-473.

[3] Ibid., pp. 464-467. (Emphasis added)

[4] Ibid., p. 473.

[5] Ibid, p. 473. (Emphasis added)

[6] Stave Ramer, "Bangladesh reports" in the National Geographic, July 1975.

[7]  Maksud, Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, op. cit., p. 473.

[8] Maksud, Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, op. cit., pp. 464-467.

[9] Ibid.

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