Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Today Monday is the 92nd birthday of Bangmata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, consort of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu got her as a life partner since childhood in Tungipara of Gopalganj. This noble woman was by her side as a worthy comrade until her death. That is why Bangabandhu was able to bring independence to Bangladesh by succeeding in his political life.

Dr. MM Mazed, the founder of jatio rogi kallan Society, wrote a column on today' is column...Fazilatunnecha's contribution, inspiration and sacrifice in the transformation from Bangabandhu to Sheikh Mujib to the father of the Bengali nation is undeniable. Because of that, Bangabandhu was able to sow the dream of independence in the minds of a nation and bring its taste.

Sheikh Mujib's favorite Renu worked behind the scenes to implement his political philosophy and ideals. August 8 is the 92nd birthday of this noble woman.

Begum Fazilatunnecha was the main motivation and encouragement behind writing Bangabandhu's autobiography. Bangabandhu first recalled that contribution in his autobiography.

Despite going through all the thorny paths of life's struggle, he managed the family very well. Despite everything, he was the best shadow companion of Bangabandhu's life and politics. Bangabandhu had to be imprisoned when politics was banned during the dictatorial Ayub regime.

At that time, he used to sew clothes, rent a house and run the family. He handled everything with a cool head. Apart from educating the children, he used to fill the lack of their father with his love.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib wrote in 'Unfinished Autobiography' that Renu's mother died when she was five years old. Only his grandfather remained. Dada also died when Renu was seven years old. Then, he approached my mother. Renu grew up with my siblings. '

At the age of just 13, he was tied to Sheikh Mujib. About marriage, Bangabandhu wrote in 'Unfinished Autobiography', "When I got married I might have been twelve or thirteen years old. After Renu's father died, her grandfather called my father and said, 'I have to give a granddaughter in marriage to your eldest son. Because, I will write all the property to their two sisters. Renu's grandfather is my paternal uncle. My marriage with Renu was registered to obey the orders of the teacher. I heard I got married. I did not understand anything then, Renu must have been three years old. "

Although married, their family life basically started after Bangabandhu passed the entrance. Their wedding took place in 1942.

This year he was admitted to Islamia College, Kolkata. His political career began there. At this time, Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnecha Mujib used to spend time reading various books.

Without any formal education, he was intelligent, intelligent, responsible and patient with fine talent. He was also the main motivation and encouragement in writing the 'Unfinished Autobiography' of the Father of the Nation. Sheikh Mujib also recalled the contribution of his wife in his autobiography. After crossing all the thorny paths of life's struggle, he has managed his family very well. Despite everything, he was the best political shadow companion of Bangabandhu's life.

Whenever necessary in the political context of that time, he stood by Awami League and its leaders and activists with all efforts. Even during the movement, he used to inform Bangabandhu of every incident when he visited him in jail. Bangamata heard Bangabandhu's advice there and informed it to the leaders of Awami League and Chhatra League.

On the other hand, he also helped to keep Bangabandhu's morale strong by meeting him in prison. When Bangabandhu was in prison, he also made an important contribution to the success of the 6-point program of the Bengali Liberation Charter. During her stay in Kolkata, whenever her husband Sheikh Mujib, who was involved in BCL politics, needed extra money, he would send the money earned from his father's property without hesitation.

Bangabandhu was jailed by the government of Pakistan. At that time, he stood by the party and activists even after selling the furniture and ornaments of his house. Being the wife of a president and prime minister, she lived like a common man. There was no luxurious furniture in his house, no sense of ego.

Everyone was impressed by his kind behavior and modesty. He disciplined his children as he loved them. He has fulfilled the duties of both parents. This brave woman, strong and determined mixed with tenderness, raised her children inspired by her husband's ideals.

No one ever went back empty handed to him for help. Sheikh Fazilatunnessa married some girl from a poor family by spending the money received from the inherited property.

In 1968, the Pakistan government filed a case against Bangabandhu and 35 Bengali army and navy members and high-ranking officials for sedition. Which is known as Agartala Conspiracy Case. When Bangabandhu was arrested in this case, Bengalis took to the streets to demand the release of all the royal prisoners. Protests spread across East Pakistan.

In the turbulent political situation, various law and order agencies of the government of Pakistan threatened to arrest Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib. But he is undeterred and through his sharp intelligence tries in various ways to get money for the lawyers to prepare to deal with the case legally. Ayub Khan's government retreated at one point.

At that time, West Pakistan government decided to release Sheikh Mujib on parole to participate in the round table meeting in Lahore. But Begum Mujib sat down on parole. He strongly objected to this. Begum Mujib might have understood the momentum of the movement in East Pakistan, not on parole; Pakistan government will be forced to release Sheikh Mujib unconditionally.

He even met Bangabandhu in prison and told him not to go to the Lahore meeting on parole. He also understood that the Bengali nation was united in Sheikh Mujib. Pakistan government will be forced to withdraw the Agartala conspiracy case. Therefore Bangabandhu also refused to be released on parole on the advice of Bangamata.

In the meantime, the movement for the release of the royal prisoners including Sheikh Mujib spread across the country; Takes the form of a popular uprising. At one point, the Ayub government decided to release Bangabandhu in the face of agitation. He was released from jail on February 22, 1969. The next day, on February 23 of that year, the Bengali nation welcomed their undisputed leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the title of 'Bangabandhu'.

Historians and political analysts have recognized this decision of Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib as unique in the political history of Bangladesh.

In 1954, Sheikh Mujib was a member of the United Front Cabinet. Begum Mujib came to Dhaka with her children that year. They went to a house in Rajni Chowdhury Lane, Gendaria, Dhaka. When Bangabandhu became a minister, he got a government house, they moved to the government house on Minto Road. But Pakistan United Front dissolved the cabinet and had to vacate the house at a short notice. They had to change their house many times.

At one point in 1961, Bangabandhu built a house at number 32 of Dhanmondi. It was the favorite home of Bangabandhu and Bangamata. A lot of pain and labor of Bangamata is also involved in the construction of this house. On October 1, 1961, they moved to their own home. After that this house became the address of activists.

Various party and liberation war guiding activities have been conducted from here. When Bangabandhu was in prison, activists rushed to this house. He has also stood by them in many ways with wisdom and advice.

Bangabandhu's historic 7th March speech also bears the stamp of Banga Mata's intelligence. Reminiscing about the events of that day, her daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in an event of Bangamata's birthday last year, the advice of many people before the speech on March 7, is making my father crazy! Everyone has come—to say this, to say that.

My mother gave the food to my father, took it into the room and closed the door. He told father directly, you should lie down and rest for 15 minutes. Many people will talk a lot. You have been agitating all your life, you have been in jail. You know what to say? Speak whatever comes to your mind.

After that Bangabandhu raised his index finger in the turbulent crowd at the race course ground and declared, 'This time's struggle is our liberation struggle; This year's struggle is the struggle for freedom. At his call, Bengalis jumped into the freedom movement. Bangabandhu's call for independence had Bangmata's psychological support. This support gave courage to Bangabandhu.

Today this speech is part of world heritage. Besides, Sheikh Fazilatunnecha Mujib can be considered as Bangabandhu's main encourager and consultant in the flag hoisting of March 23, 1971.

Not only that, Sheikh Fazilatunnecha Mujib faced the situation with infinite courage, strong morale and patience for the entire nine months of the great liberation war. They spent a lot of time in captivity. Bengali independence was achieved on December 16 in the liberation war.

On January 8, 1972, Bangabandhu was released from Pakistani prison. Then go to London from there. He had his first talk with Begum Mujib from London.

Bangabandhu returned home on January 10. Bangmata Begum Fazilatunnecha's long wait is over. After that, he stood by Bangabandhu in building the war-torn country. He gave a socially prestigious life by marrying many heroines.

After independence Bangamata said to the heroes, 'I am your mother. He said, "The nation is proud of these heroic women. They have no reason to be ashamed or depressed. Because they were the first to prove that not only the boys of Bangladesh, but also the girls, how incredibly strong they are in terms of self-esteem. (Dainik Banglar Bani, 17 Falgun, 1378 Bangabd). '

Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib has even contributed to promote the country internationally with Bangabandhu. He had a good relationship with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. He stayed by Bangabandhu's side even when world leaders visited Bangladesh.

Not as a consort, but as a political colleague, Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib was the shadow companion of her beloved husband Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Until the last moment of his life, he was by the side of history's great hero Sheikh Mujib as an inspiration. On 15 August 1975, the family was killed by anti-independence gangs.

Finally, I would like to say that the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the heir of the blood of Sheikh Mujib-Sheikh Fazilatunnessa. He is working day and night to build 'Golden Bangla' in his father's ideals and the way shown by him.

The last refuge of the people of Bengal is Sheikh Hasina-e. The government's success in dealing with Covid-19 has been praised worldwide. Under his leadership, recommendations for inclusion of Bangladesh in the list of developing countries have been received. Sheikh Hasina's government is trying to make Bangladesh a developed country in 2041. He has worked tirelessly for the last 13 years to achieve this goal.

And the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has become a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. It is because of his visionary leadership that Bangladesh has achieved the position it is today. However, the continuity of the government has helped him achieve this goal because in the political reality of a country like Bangladesh, if there is no continuity of the government, development is hindered.

The people of Bangladesh trusted him and allowed him to work according to his plan.We believe that the people of Bangladesh will have the same faith in her in the upcoming 12th National Parliament Elections to be held in 2023 because the thing that we all should keep in mind at this moment is that - Sheikh Hasina's alternative has not yet been created in the political context of Bangladesh.

Just as Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are used synonymously, Sheikh Hasina has now become another name for the development of Bangladesh. As a result, maintaining the continuity of development, Bangladesh is moving towards a developed country under the leadership of Awami League and Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina.

And let the women of this country develop in the ideals of Banga Mata. Let Bangladesh be an example in empowering women by becoming strong in her ideals. Tributes to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib on his 92nd birthday.

Author, Founder, jatio rogi kallan Society