| By Lion Umar Razi
Introduction-
The history of Bengal is a grand epic of deprivation, resistance, and indomitable resurgence. In the mango groves of Plassey in 1757, the sun of sovereignty set upon this land. Yet, after traversing nearly two and a half centuries of upheavals, betrayals, and sacrifices, that sun re-emerged on the horizon during the July Uprising of 2024.
Time and again, the aspirations of the Bengali people were hijacked; revolutions were derailed, and hopes were betrayed. But the spirit of resistance never perished. Today, history once again beckons us to repay the blood debt of our forefathers by building a truly independent, sovereign, and humane Bangladesh.
The Long Ordeal of Colonial Rule-
A crucial historical truth is often overlooked: while many regions of the Indian subcontinent endured British rule for roughly 100 to 120 years, Bengal bore the full weight of colonial subjugation for nearly two centuries. From the catastrophic Great Famine of 1770 to the Permanent Settlement that shattered the backbone of the rural economy, colonial policies were meticulously designed to cripple the Bengali people.
The brutal reprisals following the Uprising of 1857- when Islamic scholars and freedom-seekers were publicly executed and hanged from trees in what is now Bahadur Shah Park in Dhaka- remain an open wound in the nation’s collective memory.
The Struggle for Freedom and the Disillusionment with Pakistan-
Resistance against British mercantilists and local collaborators gave rise to visionary leaders such as Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, and the oppressed masses’ champion Maulana Bhashani. Under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged in 1947 with the promise of a secure homeland.
That promise, however, quickly evaporated after Jinnah’s death. The military authoritarianism of Ayub Khan- ironically draped in secular rhetoric- combined with systematic neglect of East Pakistan, sowed the seeds of autonomy in the Bengali psyche. The abandonment of East Pakistan during the 1965 war and sustained political repression culminated in the historic Six-Point Movement.
1971: A Blood-Soaked Independence and a Web of Conspiracies-
Despite a clear electoral mandate in 1970, power was denied to the representatives of the Bengali people. What followed was one of the most brutal genocides in modern history. The junta led by General Tikka Khan, aided by the political machinations of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, unleashed unspeakable atrocities.
While the Pakistani military’s brutality was undeniable, the shadow of regional hegemonic interests was also evident. Massacres, including attacks on orphanages and bombings during religious festivities, formed part of a wider theatre of aggression. Yet, through the sacrifice of millions of martyrs and the honour of countless women, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation under the red and green flag.
Post-Independence: The Return of Authoritarianism-
Tragically, much like 1947, the fruits of independence in 1971 were swiftly monopolised by a select elite. The Constitution of 1972 and the subsequent one-party BAKSAL system stripped citizens of fundamental freedoms. The famine of 1974, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, alongside systematic suppression of dissent, marked the rise of a new form of authoritarianism.
Although the nation began to regain direction under the leadership of President Ziaur Rahman, conspiracies persisted. His assassination in 1981 plunged the country once again into darkness.
Prolonged Autocracy and the Era of Fear-
Since assuming power in 2009, the Hasina administration institutionalised a form of governance that stands among the darkest chapters of Bangladesh’s history. From the Pilkhana massacre to the killings at Shapla Chattar, from enforced disappearances of political opponents such as Ilias Ali to the establishment of secret torture centres infamously known as “Aynaghar,” a reign of fear prevailed.
Under the facade of development, public wealth was siphoned abroad, giving rise to enclaves of illicit luxury, while national interests were repeatedly compromised in favour of regional dominance.
2024: The July Uprising and the Birth of a New Hope-
In July 2024, public fury against a system of institutionalised discrimination- aptly described as a form of fascist apartheid- erupted into a nationwide uprising. The sacrifices of young martyrs such as Abu Sayeed, Mugdha, and Yamin transformed a student-led protest into a people’s revolution.
This movement transcended demands for quota reform; it became a struggle for dignity, sovereignty, and liberation from external domination. The flight of the regime on 5 August proved a timeless truth: no nation can be subdued indefinitely at gunpoint.
Bangladesh Ahead: Vision and Destination-
Bangladesh now stands at a historic crossroads. This revolution must not be allowed to be hijacked again. Our collective aspirations must be channelled towards building a nation founded upon:
A corruption-free administration, ensuring transparency and accountability at every level of governance.
A knowledge-driven economy, where universities evolve into global centres of research, attracting scholars from Harvard to Oxford.
Robust national defence, strong enough to deter external threats yet trusted by its own people.
A sovereign foreign policy, guided solely by national interest and strategic independence.
Religious and ethnic harmony, positioning Bangladesh as a humane, extremist-free model of coexistence for the world.
Conclusion-
From 1757 to 2024, the road has been drenched in blood and sacrifice. The struggles of our ancestors must not be rendered futile. By embracing the spirit of the July Uprising, let us pledge to build a just, inclusive, and prosperous Bangladesh- one that rises above past humiliations and stands tall on the world stage with dignity and resolve.
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