Moulana Bhashani's historical and contemporary significance

[Al-zakir]

Wasn't Bhashani a commie?

I heard the same. Perhaps some one else can shed some light on his political ideology.

 

[Cyph3r]

He should be the father of the nation. He's the one who had a vision of Bangladesh as independant country.

And Sheik Mujib didn't?
Sheik Mujib is the undisputed leader of the freedom struggle hence father of the nation.
Even a leader as popular as Shahid Zia can't take his place.

 

[integra]

Try not to derail the thread(let them have their peace) some one has a vision and some executes it, nothing else.
on a side note I'll post some info later on.

 

[Al-zakir]

And Sheik Mujib didn't?
Sheik Mujib is the undisputed leader of the freedom struggle hence father of the nation.

Unlike M. Jinnah in Pakistan and Mohatma Ghandi in India, Mujibur Rehman is not respected by entire population. He could have become father of the nation if he was not so power crazy, fascist, anti-Islamic and greedy. His failed leadership after the independent made him unworthy of a good leader. Forget about father of nation. He is only father of AL and secular groups.

Bangladesh doesn’t need father of nation due to our politically divided society. We are so polarized ideologically, we are all most two nation living in one small geographic boundary.

Even a leader as popular as Shahid Zia can't take his place.

He may not be the one initiated the movement however he did proclaimed Independence. It was Zia who give you an identity as Muslim nation, showed you how to live like a man, took your nation to new height and so on. Don't disrespect Shaheed Zia-ur-Rehman to magnify failed Mujib.

 

[Joe Shearer]

It is not necessary to enter into the tiresome Bangladeshi national sport, bashing the other party's leadership, to understand what a wonderful job monitor has done in reprinting this Dutch article on Maulana Bhashani. Now that the article has been published, let us pay homage to Bhashani's tireless advocacy of the spirit of Bangladesh, a spirit which stands for much more than language or religion, or even sectarian materialism.

Some naive posters have raised the question of Maulana being a Communist.

The thought of a god-fearing, observant Muslim being a materialist boggles the mind. It is difficult to respond to those who hold such opinions; there is a limit to the depths of absurdity that may be plumbed.

Thank you, monitor; more, please.

 

[eastwatch]

Maulana Bhasani was leading a political party named National Awami Party or NAP. NAP was an off shoot of Pakistan Awami League. AL itself was again a off shoot of Muslim League. Maulana Bhasani was probably the founder President of AL. Sk. Mujib was one of many Jt. Secretaries of PAL in the beginning.

Whatever may it be, Maulana Bhasani decided not to participate in the December 1971 election. Why? Because his calculating mind thought that the voters, who favour a Provincial autonomy, would be divided into two if his NAP participated in that election, and this will cause the non-progressive parties to win more seats. So, he refrained from contesting the election and gave the AL a free hand.

On the other hand, the fanatic voters had many platforms who were contesting each other. Muslim League, Nezame Islami and Jamaat are some of them. So, the voters for these types of fundamentalist parties were divided, but, because NAP decided not to participate in the election, many of their votes were casted in favour of AL.

AL won an absolute majority because of the foresightedness of Maulana Bhasani. With a NAP participation the election result could have been quite different. By the way, the AL received 53% of the total number of east Pakistan votes. Note that this 53% is not the percentage of total votes cast, but is a percentage directly related to the total number of voters in the voter list.

 

[Joe Shearer]

@monitor
@eastwatch

After these inspiring posts, I sincerely wish you would round it off by mentioning for our younger readers, especially the Bangladeshi ones, the foundation on which this tall leader built. I mean the contribution of Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haq, through the Krishok-Proja Party, and even, to some extent, Suhrawardy. Most of us remember Suhrawardy for his mafia connections; profiling his politics is really needed, to balance an unbalanced picture.

Such a post to show the background would be fascinating. Please consider this, as a background to Maulana Sahib's career.

 

[Cyph3r]

Don't disrespect Shaheed Zia-ur-Rehman to magnify failed Mujib.

When did i disrespect Zia?
I was replying to someone who suggested Bhashani should be father of the nation

Zia was a great charismatic leader no doubt
In BD we have two mainstream political ideologies
The liberal left whose father and patron is Sheik Mujib
The conservative right whose father and patron is Shaheed Zia

But when it comes to the father of the nation there is only one obvious choice Sheik Mujib
As He was the undisputed leader of the liberation war and freedom struggle
The liberation war was fought in his name
Shaheed Zia named Sheik Mujib as the supreme commander of the War effort in his 27th March proclamation of Independence

 

[Midhat]

I sincerely advise you guys to read a book "The Wastes of Time" by Mr. Syed Sajjad Hussain, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi and Dhaka Universities.

 

[Armstrong]

I sincerely advise you guys to read a book "The Wastes of Time" by Mr. Syed Sajjad Hussain, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi and Dhaka Universities.

Tell us something about it !

Besides what significance would Bhashani be to us Pakistanis ?

 

[khair_ctg]

it's informative in learning about Bhashani and his 'commie' leanings. but i just felt there are some gross generalizations in light of some of my understanding about him:

- Bhashani and his PAL allies were usually against big-business owners during United Pakistan (clear 'commie' leaning - bad for economy and created devastating anti-Mohajir sentiments)

- Maulana Bhashani possibly favoured two somewhat self-governing wings of Pakistan. i don't think what happened around 1971 was really what he was wishing for. self-governance would lead to self-determination, something an indian interference and invasion would turn it on its head (@kalu_miah has had some recent posts on Sheikh Mujib's and PAL's stance after the 1970 election somewhat along these lines and I would appreciate input from him about Bhashani. )

- Maulana Bhashani was sufi and deoband influenced that are orders that mostly emphasize on the personal relationship with Allah and rituals aimed to increase aqida

 

[khair_ctg]

I sincerely advise you guys to read a book "The Wastes of Time" by Mr. Syed Sajjad Hussain, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi and Dhaka Universities.

i found extracts of it here: Story of Bangladesh

Interesting

 

[kalu_miah]

@Loki Please consider merging this thread with the following:

Role of left leaning politicians in history in Bangladesh landmass