Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

• Born: March 17, 1920, Tungipara, Gopalganj, British India (now Bangladesh)
• Died: August 15, 1975, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Role: Founding Father of Bangladesh, Politician, Prime Minister, President
• Key Contributions:
  • Leader of the Independence Movement: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the undisputed leader of the Bengali nationalist movement that led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. He mobilized the masses through his powerful speeches and unwavering commitment to the cause of Bengali autonomy.
  • Six-Point Movement (1966): His Six-Point Movement demanded greater autonomy for East Pakistan and was the foundation for Bangladesh’s independence. It called for self-determination, which resonated deeply with the Bengali population, and positioned Mujib as the central figure of the liberation struggle.
  • Liberation War (1971): After the Pakistani military’s brutal crackdown on Dhaka on March 25, 1971 (Operation Searchlight), Mujib’s famous “Declaration of Independence” was broadcast, marking the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  • Founding Prime Minister and President: Following the victory in the war, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned to an independent Bangladesh in January 1972, where he was greeted as the “Father of the Nation.” He became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh and later served as President.
  • Legacy: His vision for a secular, democratic, and socially just Bangladesh laid the foundation for the nation’s development. Despite challenges like the 1974 famine, Mujib worked relentlessly for rebuilding the war-torn country.
• Assassination: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in a military coup on August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members. His death is considered a tragic moment in the history of Bangladesh.
• Famous Quote: “The struggle this time is the struggle for our freedom, the struggle this time is the struggle for our independence!”