Explaining the whole situation of the Sub-continent

2008-07-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

Dr. Mr. President,
I am writing at a moment of deep anguish at the unhappy turn, which the relations between our two countries have taken.

I am setting aside all pride, prejudice and passion and trying, as calmly as I can, to analyze once again the origins of the tragedy, which is being enacted.
There are moments in history when brooding tragedy and its dark shadows can be lightened by recalling great moments of the past. One such great moment which inspired millions of people to die for liberty was the Declaration of independence by the United Stales of America. That Declaration stated that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of man's inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.

All unprejudiced persons objectively surveying the grim events in Bangla Desh since March 25 have recognized the revolt of 75 million people, a people who were forced to the conclusion that neither their life, nor their liberty, to say nothing of the possibility of the pursuit of happiness, was available to them. The World Press, Radio and Television have faithfully recorded the story. The most perceptive of American scholars who are knowledgeable about the affairs of this sub-continent revealed the anatomy of East Bengal's frustrations.
The tragic war, which is continuing, could have been averted if, during the nine months prior to Pakistan's attack on us on December 3, the great leaders of the world had paid some attention to the fact of revolt, tried to see the reality of the situation and searched for a genuine basis for reconciliation. I wrote letters along these lines. I undertook a tour in quest of peace, at a time when it was extremely difficult to leave the country, in the hope of presenting to some of the leaders of the world the situation as I saw it. It was heart breaking to find that while there was sympathy for the poor refugees, the disease itself was ignored.

War could also have been avoided if the power, influence and authority of all the Slates, and above all of the United States, had got Sheikh Mujibur Rahman released. Instead, we were told that this civilian administration was being installed. Everyone knows that this civilian administration was farce; today the farce has turned into a tragedy.

A joint letter written on October 15, 1971 by the Acting President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India.

On October 15, 1971 the Acting President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh wrote a joint letter to Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The extract of the letter is reproduced below:

"Excellency,
We write in continuation of the letter dated April 24, 1971, addressed to His Excellency the President of India, and the subsequent communications and personal discussions. Excellency, you are aware of the proclamation of independence on the 10th of April by the Constituent Assembly of the duly elected members of the National and Provincial Legislatures representing the will of the 75 million people of Bangladesh. This declaration followed the unilateral, arbitrary and brutal denial of the verdict of the people and the suppression of their democratic liberties and fundamental human rights by the military regime of Pakistan since the 25th of March 1971.

It is well known that the people of Bangladesh were subjected to a long period of ruthless colonial domination, systematic economic exploitation and gross political and cultural discrimination by the successive regimes dominated by the ruling circles of West Pakistan. The letter of April the 24th, 1971, informed you of the formation of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh under the Presidency of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Acting Presidency of Syed Nazrul Islam.

Over the last several years our people had waged a peaceful and non-violent movement struggle for the attainment of our basic rights. Even after the successive postponements of the convening of the National Assembly by the military regime of Pakistan we did not resort to violence but continued our non-violent struggle. The military rulers of Pakistan took advantage of this to gain lime by employing the ruse of so-called negotiations till the night of 24th March,, 1971, while they were augmenting their military strength.

Their plans became visible to the whole world on the black night of March the 25th when they let loose their Army under a premeditated plan on the innocent and defenseless men, women and children of our country. They made a special target of the intellectuals, the elite of the youth and the leaders of the workers, peasants and students. This left us with no alternative but to resort to arms.

Since the formal proclamation of our Independence on April 10, out struggle for liberation has gained increased momentum and strength. Nearly 60,000 members of the former East Bengal Regiment, East Pakistan Rifles and other para-military formations identified themselves with the struggle of the 75 million people of Bangladesh and took up arms in defense of our motherland. They were joined by hundreds of thousands of young men whom they trained to defend the sovereignty and independence of their homeland, and to release it from the bonds of colonial oppression.

The policy of repression has continued with increasing brutality in the vain hope of liquidating the leadership and reducing the majority of the Bengali-speaking people to a minority. Members of the minority communities became special victims of the reign of terror. As a result of this policy of genocide, rape, arson and loot, nearly nine million of our men, women and children have been driven out in tenor and have taken shelter in your country, and exodus still continues.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, our undisputed leader and President, has been subjected to a secret military trial and has been reportedly condemned to death. The Awami League has been banned, which had won an unparalleled victory in the national elections held last December. The military regime of Pakistan has disqualified 79 duly elected representatives of the people and has imposed a so-called civilian regime consisting of defeated candidates and quislings, which is now supported by the might of the military machine of Pakistan. These gestures have not deceived the 75 million people of Bangladesh. They have only exposed the deception and insincerity of the military oppressors. All this has only made us more determined than ever to liberate Bangladesh.

We are glad to inform you, Excellency that this struggle has borne to fruit. The liberation army of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Mukti Bahini, is in full control of half the territory of Bangladesh. We also confirm that the Bangladesh Government has established effective civil administration over this area, which is functioning smoothly. This development has not merely been welcomes by the broad masses of the people but the efforts of our government have found spontaneous and overwhelming support in the areas under its control
.
May we, therefore, in the light of these developments request Your Excellency for a positive response to the message of the 24th April 1971, requesting for recognition to the free and duly constituted Government of Bangladesh. Such a response on your part would give a tremendous impetus to the struggle being waged by the people and the Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh for their liberation. It would also generate an international response, which would promote the cause of freedom, peace and stability, in this part of the world. May we, therefore, request Your Excellency for an early response to this communication?

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest esteem.
Sd/-
Syed Nazrul Islam
Sd/-
Tajuddin Ahmad"