Table of Contents

Introduction:.....................................................................................................................................2
Short Biography of Bangabandhu:...................................................................................................2
Political Thoughts of Bangabandhu:................................................................................................4
Mujibism :.........................................................................................................................................4
Four fundamental policy of Musibism:............................................................................................4
1 Socialism:....................................................................................................................................4
2. Secularism:................................................................................................................................5
3. Nationalism:...............................................................................................................................5
4. Democracy:................................................................................................................................5
Six Points plan:.................................................................................................................................6
Peasants Welfare Policy:...................................................................................................................6
Foreign Policy:..................................................................................................................................6
Development Philosophy:..................................................................................................................7
Peaceful Coexistence Policy:.............................................................................................................8
1. Halt Arms Race Policy:.............................................................................................................8
2. Peace Zone Policy:.....................................................................................................................8
The Liberal Democrats:....................................................................................................................9
Believe in International Structuralism:............................................................................................9
BAKSAL:..........................................................................................................................................9
Criticism of Bangabandhus Policy:................................................................................................10
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................10
 Bangabandhu: The Poet of Politics

Introduction:

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the charismatic leader and forceful orator of Bengal, was the
founding father of Bangladesh. He was also the founding leader of the Awami League.  He was
the first president and then became strong prime minister from 1972 to 1975. Sheikh Mujib is
familiar as the Bangabandhu meaning friend of Bengal. He has played prime role in the
liberation movement of Bangladesh. He was mostly famous for his opposition to the ethnic and
institutional discrimination of Bengalis in the then East Pakistan. He was also the pioneer of a 6
point autonomy plan for the then East Pakistan. He was jailed many times for giving leadership
in Bengali rights movement. News Week titled him as Poet of Politics on 5 April, 1971. 1 His
main political ideology was socialism, secularism, democracy, Bengali nationalism and non-
aligned and peaceful cooperation international politics. In a 2004 BBC Bengali opinion poll,
Mujib was voted as the "Greatest Bengali of All Time".2

Short Biography of Bangabandhu:

What manner of man was Sheikh Mujib? A British journalist, Cyril Dumn, described him thus:
He is handsome, possesses a great personality, a fiery orator and has the power to keep the
audience spellbound.3 gaffar Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on 17 March 1920
in a native Bengali and humble Muslim family at Tungipara in Gopalgang District which was the
province of Bengal in British India. His father Sheikh Lutfur Rahman was a serestadar at the
Gopalganj civil court. He was the third child of Sheikh Lutfur Rahmans and Saira Begum among

1
Mantoo, Shahnawaz. "Sheikh Mujibur Rehman: Founder of Bangladesh."African Journal of Political
Science and International Relations 9, no. 5 (2015): 152-158.
2
Jones, Reece. "Searching for the greatest Bengali: The BBC and shifting Identity categories in South
Asia." National Identities 10, no. 2 (2008): 149-165.
3
Abdul Gaffar Choudhury, Sheikh MHuujib: The Making of a Leader (Dhaka: Radical Asia; London, 1995), 7.
their four daughters and two sons. Mujib studied at Gopalganj Mission School, Madaripur
Islamia High School, Islamia College under Calcutta University and Dhaka University. He could
not go to school four years because of eye surgery. Mujib married Sheikh Fazilatunnesa at the
age of eighteen. He had two daughters and four sons. Mujib entered student politics by joining
All India Muslim Students Federation at the Islamia College in 1940. After joining the Bengal
Muslim League in 1943, Mujib started working actively for a separate Muslim State of Pakistan,
and in 1946 he was elected GS of the Islamia College Students Union. That time he came to
close ties with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and became the most powerful man in the Bengal
Muslim League. During riots and the communal violence of 1946, Mujib worked under H.S.
Suhrawardy.4 After creating Pakistan, he admitted in the University of Dhaka to study law and
founded the East Pakistan Muslim Students League. Dhaka University authority expelled this
most prominent student political leader because of his attempting to organize the menial and
clerical staff in an agitation over workers' rights. He participated in language movement and was
jailed for it. Mujib left the Muslim League to join the Awami Muslim League and was elected
joint secretary of its East Bengal unit in 1949. In 1953, he became party's general secretary. He
elected to the East Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1954 and Served as agriculture minister in
United Fronts Government. He was also elected member of second Constituent Assembly of
Pakistan serving from 1955 to 1958. He also became minister of industries, commerce, labor,
anti-corruption and village aid. Mujib was arrested for organizing resistance Against General
Ayub Khans Martial law. He announced a 6 point autonomy plan which is called Bengalis
Charter of Survival.5 For that Agartala Conspiracy Case was filed against him but at last
government released him for mass uprising. In the first democratic of Pakistan of 1970, Awami
League won in election but Military Junta did not invite him to form government. This incident
leads him to declare struggle for independence by his landmark speech on 7 March 1971.
Pakistani Army run Operation Searchlight on 25 March 1971 to response mass uprising. Before
arresting, Mujib declared independence of Bangladesh. Bangladesh got independence by a 9
month bloody war against Pakistani Army. After coming back to Bangladesh from Pakistan
prison in January 10, 1972, Mujib became PM under parliamentary system. Then he formed one

4
Khan , Zillur Rahman , The Third World Charismat: Sheikh Mujib and the Struggle for Power (Dhaka: University
Press Limited, 1996), 32.
5
Maniruzzaman, Talukder. "National Integration and Political Development in Pakistan." Asian
Survey (1967): 876.
party socialist rule. He as well as most of his family members were assassinated by a military
coup in August 15, 1975.

Political Thoughts of Bangabandhu:

Bangabandhu wasn't a political theorist but learn politics by experience. Bangabandhus dreams
were to build a state and society without exploitation. Bangabandhu’s ideology is known as
Mujibism.6

Mujibism :

Kamruddin Ahmed said that I asked him (Mujib) about Mujibism, he replied that it isn’t a new
things. It is the implementation of aims and objective of political movements in East Bengal
from establishment of Pakistan. 7 After coming back to Bangladesh in January 10, 1972, He said
that Bangladesh would be an ideal state based on democracy, socialism and secularism (next
includes nationalism).8

Four fundamental policy of Musibism:

1 Socialism:
Bangabandhu was advocate of new version of secularism. His explanation of secularism was
different from Soviet Union and other socialist countries. This form of socialism means society
without exploitation and democracy of exploited people. Mujib's socialism was like socialism of
Scandinavian countries. By socialist economy, Bangabandhu wanted to end exploitation and
deprivation through distributing wealth equally among mass people. The ultimate goal of

6
Khan, Zillur Rahman. "Leadership and political opposition in Bangladesh." Asian Affairs 5, no. 1 (1974):
41-50.
7
Ahmed, Kamruddin, Mujib bad teke Baksak( From Mujibism to BAKSAL);,( Dhaka: BcL Publication, 2015), 47.
8
Rahman, Md Sayedur, Md Tanziul Islam, and Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam. "Evaluation of Charismatic
Leader of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."International Journal of Scientific and Research
Publications: 296.
Bangabandhu's socialism is to bring peace, solidarity and prosperity in Bengal. He had dropped
the word "Muslim" from Awami League and Chattra League to get a broader appeal to non-
Muslim communities.

2. Secularism:
Religion, group, sects, caste, class, belief etc. create disharmony, violence. All these hamper
peace among citizens. In this subcontinent, religion has created much violence and riots among
Hindu-Muslim community. Before and after dividing India and Pakistan in1947, there occurred
dangerous riots among Hindu-Muslim community. The root of it was religion. Many innocent
peoples were killed, peace, solitary and prosperity were hampered. So Bangabandhu took this
policy to maintain peace and solidarity among different communities. Mujib’s Secularism-
means not without religion but includes religion. Everybody will practice his religion; nobody
will hamper them. Therefore, Religion will not be used as political purposes.

3. Nationalism:

Bangabandhu believed in Bengali nationalism. Bengali language, literature and culture make it.
Bangabandhu wanted to establish organic solidarity among Bengali people. He never accepted
ethnic nationalism. Bangabandhu became attracted by civic nationalism which relates to D.
Michael S. Drakes patriotism.9

4. Democracy:

Bangabandhu struggled his whole life for democracy. He had to face jail many times for his
democratic movement. During visiting to Bangladesh in June, 2015, Indian PM Norendra Modi
termed him as icon of democracy.

9
Chowdhury, Abdul Gaffar, Bangabandhu and Politics of Bangladesh( Dhaka :BCL publications,2015),215.
Six Points plan:
Bengalis were deprived of all rights in spite of having majority of the population. They were
poorly less representation in civil services, police and military. All development projects took
place in West Pakistan by tax and revenues of East Pakistan. Therefore India Pakistan war of
1965, Bengal was unsecured. So Mujib proclaimed a 6-point plan. Self-government and political,
economic and defense autonomy for East Pakistan were demanded here. It was Charter of
Survival of Bengalis.10 It developed Bengali nationalism and got huge mass peoples support. By
this programs, Mujib wanted to free Bengali from Pakistani rule. His dreams became true after
independence.

Peasants Welfare Policy:

Bangabandhu took land reformation policy by multipurpose co-operative system to increase
production and save land. He wanted to set up compulsory multipurpose co-operative villages all
over 65 thousands villages of Bangladesh. He wanted to save farmers from landlord’s
exploitation and increase employments facilities.

Foreign Policy:

Bangabandhu's statesmanship was quite removed from the pretenses and hypocrisy which
generally characterized diplomacy in the modern world. He was polite in dealing with the leaders
of other nation and yet he remained keenly aware of what he needed to tell them about his people
and their travails.11Sheikh Mujib wanted to keep away from Cold War geopolitics. He declared
that Bangladesh would be the “Switzerland of the East”. 12 He widens relations with other
countries. Because of Bangabandhu's dynamic leadership Bangladesh got the membership of
UN, Commonwealth, OIC and 14 other International organizations and recognition from most of
the countries by August 1975. Sheikh Mujib visited USA, Russia and many western countries to
make relation with them. He attended to the Non-Aligned Conference in September 1973 in
10
Maniruzzaman, Talukder. "National Integration and Political Development in Pakistan." Asian
Survey (1967): 876-885.
11
CHOUDHURY, GW, Indira Gandhi, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rounaq Jahan, and H. Norman Brown.
"BANGLADESH: A REVIEW ARTICLE." (1973): 282-286.
12
Klatt, W. "The Indian subcontinent after the war." The World Today 28, no. 3 (1972): 108-116.
Algiers and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Lahore (Pakistan) in March 1974.
Bangladesh became a true friends of Arab by sending troops and doctors team, tea beg in Arab
Israel war of 1974.Bangabandhu made foreign policy based on the twin principles of peaceful
coexistence and friendship for all. He has taken a non-alignment and neutral foreign policy with
malice towards none and friendship with all based on mutual respect for each other. 13 He also
supported to the efforts at turning the whole of south East Asia, Indian Ocean and Indian
Subcontinent into a zone of peace. Bangladesh is against interference in the international affairs
of any country and will not tolerate interference in its own internal affairs.14 After death of Nehru
of lndia and Naser of Egypt, Bangabandhu got the leadership of NAM.

Development Philosophy:

Bangabandhus development policy was different from other western statesman. His government
achieved huge success in the reconstruction and institution building of war destructed nation.
Economic infrastructure, production process, health system and education system were totally
damaged by Pakistani Army during liberation war. In the reconstruction process Bangabandhu
government became success. All destroyed bridge, roads, six air ports, and two sea ports were
build or repaired. Education system was reconstructed under D. Qudrat e Khuda commission and
university became free from black laws. 11000 new schools were build and 100000 new teachers
were employed for these schools. Kas land was distributed among poor and food production
increased that time. In health sector, this government had huge success like a 31 bed hospital
with modern facilities in each of 365 thanas was established and family planning projects were
taken by government. Tube wells were set up in every villages to ensure pure drinking water.
The production of sugar, yarn, food grains, newsprints, tea and engineering products were
noticeable.

13
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman :
Documents , Messages and Speeches,( Dhaka : Parama,1975),412-413.
14
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman :
Documents , Messages and Speeches,( Dhaka : Parama,1975),410.
Peaceful Coexistence Policy:

Bangabandhu had attracted attention of the whole world for his leadership and faith in peace. 15
He was given Julio Curio award for International peace. Bangabandhu's policy of peace,
friendship, non-alignments and promotion of understanding among national been very
rewarding.16 In various conference, Bangladesh paid solidarity with and supported for the people
of Asia, Africa and Latin America in their struggle against the forces of imperialism, colonialism
and exploitation. For example Bangladesh supported revolutionary government of South
Vietnam and Guinea Bissau. He was also against the continued occupation of Arab areas by
Israel and supported Palestinian rights of independent.

1. Halt Arms Race Policy:

Bangladesh also called for halting armament race and stressed the need for alleviating sufferings
of people and wanted the commonwealth to mobilize opinion against continuation of arms and
against pollution caused by nuclear test.17

2. Peace Zone Policy:

Bangabandhu said, he believed that the aspirations to establish South East Asia and Indian Ocean
as zones of peace widely shared by people of the region.18 Bangabandhu called for strict
implementation of Paris Peace Agreements on Vietnam and stoppage of bombing in Cambodia.
Bangabandhu said that there is strict implementation of Paris Peace Accord on Vietnam and
stoppage of bombing in Cambodia, prospects of peace in South Asia will remain unreal.19

15
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman :
Documents , Messages and Speeches,( Dhaka : Parama,1975),371.
16
Jahan, Rounaq. "Bangabandhu and after: Conflict and change in Bangladesh." The Round Table 66,
no. 261 (1976): 73-84.
17
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches, (Dhaka: Parama, 1975), 371-372.
18
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches, (Dhaka: Parama, 1975), 372.
19
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches, (Dhaka: Parama, 1975), 376.
The Liberal Democrats:

Many prominent political leaders who supported united Pakistan and stood against liberation
war, were arrested under anti-independence law.Bangabandhu forgave them. He was also liberal
to his opposite party leaders. Muslim League leaders Fazlul kader Chowdhury, Sabur khan, Shah
Azizur Rahman were most of them. He released them from jail and even helped them by sending
money to their family .For example, during prisoner of Shah Azizur Rahman, Bangabandhu
would send 3000 taka per month for his family. When Sabur khan was in jail, he wrote a letter
Bangabandhu .after reading his letter, he requested his PS Mashiour Rahman to manage the
releasement of Sabur Khan. He was also friendly with his opposite party’s leader, who always
tried to uninstall him from power. Some of them are Mawlana Vshani, Comorade Twaha, Ataur
Rahman Khan, Kazi Zafar Ahmeed, and ASM Abdur Rob. For example he would send 20000 for
Mowlana Vashani who was the top opposite leader of Bangabandhu. After releasing to Shah
Azizur Rahman, Bangabandhu gave him a car for movement.

Believe in International Structuralism:

Banghabandhu was also strong supporter of international structuralism, by these he want to

establishes durable peace in Asia and world according to him, We welcome the emergence of a
new international environment where confrontation and conflict may be replaced by mutual
accommodation and cooperation.20

BAKSAL:

Bangababdhu established Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL) because of

rampant corruption, political opposition from communists and Islamic fundamentalists. Four
basis of BAKSAL was to end corruption, increase production in factories and farmlands, take
population control planning, and make national unity under BAKSAL. It is said that Soviet

20
Trivedi, Rabindranath, comp., International Relations of Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Documents, Messages and Speeches,( Dhaka : Parama,1975),412-413.
Union, Eastern European states, and Arab states influenced him to take this decision. America's
policy during famine of 1974, brought Mujib in socialist block. So he formed BAKSAL with the
advice of communist leaders like Moni Sing, Professor Mozaffor Ahmed.

Criticism of Bangabandhus Policy:

Sheikh Mujib was criticized for nepotism, corruption, abuse of the judiciary, not giving
Constitutional recognition to indigenous minorities and violating human rights by its security
forces and for one party socialist rule.21 Mujib was widely accused for 40000 killings by his
Rakkhi Bahini. Others are making Bangladesh India’s satellite country by taking extensive aid
from India and allying with that country on many foreign and regional affairs.

Conclusion:
To take strong position against communalism, religious fundamentalism and not to be slave of
world imperialism were the main ideology of Bangabandhu. He had made the unique history in
reconstruction of war damaged country in a short period by his development philosophy. He was
leading the country boldly and with great determination despite floods, shortage, bank robberies,
chaos, disruption, sabotage and all kinds of odds. He made a history of reconstruction of war
22
crippled economy, which didn't occur in many western countries. Although he struggled for
democracy but after three years of coming power, he moved to one party authoritarian rule.
Many reasons were behind it like leftist guerrilla fighters became active in different parts of BD,
attacking police station and killing Awami League workers all over the country. Therefore he
wanted to make social revolution like Tanzania’s president Julius Nyerre and other Eastern
European and Arab states.

21
Jahan, Rounaq. "Bangabandhu and after: Conflict and change in Bangladesh." The Round Table 66,
no. 261 (1976): 73-84.
22
Huq, Obaidul, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: A leader with a difference,(Dhaka: Radical Asia;London,1996),147.