Whatever we say about the eternal story of Bengali, the liberation war and freedom struggle will be the main glorious chapter of this nation. Unlimited research documents on Bengali or Bengali history-tradition and culture are now available within our reach. However, over everything, the call for liberation in 1971 and the war for independence of the motherland is the biggest turning point of this nation. That period is reflected again and again in the mirror of memory—
2. On that day, the need of the country, the call of the motherland, the inexhaustible pull of liberation and an unfailing call, who risked their lives and left the illusion of the world and became homeless in the dark? At that time, those who set out on a journey with no destination, no address, and no purpose in the forest, were they hoping for something? Who were the majority of the children of Suryasantan who participated in the Liberation War? Even after half a century has passed after the liberation war, thousands of such questions are being faced by today’s generation who have not seen the liberation war and victory. But 51 years ago, we who observed the Liberation War and Victory Day, raised our hands in joy and lost our souls, were undaunted by the sky-splitting sound of bullets, what can be our answer to this question?
Within three decades of independence, various studies have been done and are being conducted at home and abroad on the war of liberation. Who are the majority who participated in the war of independence, fearless, Durant and Damal boys? Where is their main address? What is the identity of parents? Did they have education, health social facilities or secure food and clothing resources?
Crudely speaking, even the results of the study bear witness—they had none of these, with the majority stuck in the confines of school, dropouts or a handful who set foot on the doorstep of college. Most of them were children of small and medium farmers of Ajparagaon. As they were not a burden for the family, they were also not a source of income. According to the real picture of rural Bengal at that time, many of them ran away from their homes and took part in the war. Like a journey without a leader. They did not leave their birthplace that day with the idea of returning.
3. On the contrary, despite their age, opportunity and education, those who occupied not only their own but also the houses of others, did not leave their homes for the sake of the soil of the motherland in those terrible days of the Liberation War, who are these? What is their identity? Yes, they are also Bengalis. They were born in this land. Some of them have consciously become direct opponents of the liberation war and warriors. They became accomplices of narcissists, became friends, indulged in the guise of brokers, carried out torture, looting, arson. Overnight, the chairman, member, constable of the police station or the socialite went to the forest and became the owner of wealth and prosperity. Immediately after the victory, those stars changed voles and became one everywhere. There is a rapid change in their language-speak-speech-movement. After just three and a half years, the chief architect, chief craftsman and undisputed leader of the liberation war and independence movement, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed in his family. They did such a hellish rampage based on the blueprint of their domestic and foreign plots. The country is once again in the Pakistani air. Covered underground dwellers begin to sit in daylight. They didn’t hesitate to proclaim that they were wrong, instead of being embarrassed or remorseful, they were right. Everything changes with the passage of time, human memory also has limitations. In the journey of three to four decades, many people have been playing the game of the current tides of the rivers and seas of Bangladesh. Ups and downs have come again and again. These flattering adversaries, skillful seekers of time and opportunity, gradually become the charioteers of the arms of the allies. It is not easy to understand after so long, who are they? Because no error is found in their certificate, ID card, passport or official list. On the other hand, wrong spelling, unclear signature, no recommendation, no dharma with the big boss of the office, these are only for the farmer’s son, who knows how to go to war, who knows how to die for the country and who knows how to raise his voice against injustice!
4. The various stories of the liberation war and the life of a real freedom fighter kept ringing in my head. Divanishi roams around. The story of a real freedom fighter’s house darkened due to failure to pay 150 rupees electricity bill. My pain is felt in the invisible unknown place of the heart. That story of inexplicable pain like constant bleeding. Which no one will hear in time. But after more than five decades, the country still undertakes the project of finding freedom fighters.
5. A member of the former Elite Service of Pakistan (CSP) was once the administrator of one of the country’s largest districts. In his deposition, he said that just six years after the liberation war in independent Bangladesh, he conducted a wonderful ceremony to celebrate Victory Day in his district. As usual, the reception of the freedom fighters was also organized. After a month of invitations, 92 brave freedom fighters appeared. After 50 years today the number of freedom fighters in that district is only 4 thousand 500 people. But the number of everything in our lifetime decreases. Only here can be seen, a fruitful young man, ever-growing. I am hopeful, we too will stop one day.
Stories-novels, dramas, movies have been made and will be made in the future about the heroism of our freedom fighters. Their selfless sacrifice will never go in vain. This nation can never show such audacity. However, I think that the various financial, social and state statuses given by the government over the ages should be as possible as possible.
