Begum Mujib Has Sacrificed Her Whole Life For The People : PM

"Begum Mujib has sacrificed in her whole life for the people. I'm saying this not only as she was my mother. My father could face so much sacrifice as he had got immense support from my grandparents as well as his spouse," she said adding that "I have learned many things of politics from the great lady."

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function marking celebration of the 85th birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa at Osmani Memorial Hall here today.

"Bangabandhu's lifelong goal was to achieve the freedom of the people of Bangladesh and their economic emancipation. My mother's inspiration had played a catalytic role to this end," Sheikh Hasina eldest daughter of Bangabandhu said.

"All times when Bangabandhu had been poured in jail, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa had played her role very efficiently from behind the scene for organizing the party, creating public opinion for Mujib's political programme and take forward the movements, though she never wanted any publicity for this," the prime minister said adding that as her children we have seen this.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki presided over the function organized by Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

Director General of Bangla Academy and eminent researcher of Bengali literature Shamsuzzaman Khan was the main discussant. Noted children litterateur and chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy Selina Hossain, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee Rebeka Momen, chairperson of Jatiya Mohila Sangstha Momtaz Begum and secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum spoke, among others, on the occasion.

A documentary on the life and works of Bangamata was played on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangamata as a woman and wife had no demand in her life and she led a very simple life. She even was used to serve the families of the others detained leaders in their economic hardship, children's education and illness when Bangabandhu was in prison.

"In the cases of helping the party leaders and workers Bangamata could never say 'no' to anybody," she said.

In this regard Prime Minister pointed out the difficult times of her family when Bangabandhu was implicated in dozens of cases, he was sent to jail and his family was forced to leave the residence in 1954 saying many house owners even denied renting their houses to us.

"But we had never seen my mother to be worried in that situation and she managed everything in most austerity and even selling the household things and appliances to feed their children and party workers," she said.

"My mother's strong mentality, sense of dignity and self-respect were great lessons for us," she said adding that Begum Mujib had not aspired for any lavish life even when Bangabandhu was the minister of the Jukta Front government.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangamata was very keen for education despite scope of institutional education was very limited at that time in Gopalganj. Bangabandhu used to read out English books of noted writers translating those into Bengali from his consort. In this way Begum Mujib came to know about her favourite noted English philosopher Bertrand Russell after whom she named her youngest son, she said.

Recalling the role of Bangamata in the movement for six-point demand, the prime minister said in absence of Bangabandhu she (Begum Mujib) had maintained communication with the party leaders and workers despite she was under close vigilance of the intelligence.

Intelligence agencies interrogated Begum Mujib and put pressure on her to make agree Bangabandhu to retreat from the six-point demand. Many senior Awami League leaders also had tried to pursue her to create pressure on Bangabandhu in this regard. But every time Begum Mujib had faced the situation very patiently with courage.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu was in jail for six months after filing the Agartala Conspiracy Case when his family was completely in dark about his fate. After six months Bangabandhu was taken to court and at that time Pakistani rulers tried to pursue Begum Mujib to free him in parole to take part in the negotiation meeting with the rulers.

The rulers and many senior party leaders warned Begum Mujib that Bangabandhu might be hanged to death in Agartala Conspiracy Case if she deny to accept their conditions for negotiation. But Begum Mujib rejected the offer considering the fate of other 34 accused persons of the case saying that Bangabandhu could take part in the negotiation only as a free man, not in parole, she pointed out.

"My mother was confident that Pakistani ruler would not be able to do any harm to Bangabandhu," Sheikh Hasina said adding that as a result Ayub Khan was compelled to withdraw the case and free Bangabandhu.

Pointing out the role of Begum Mujib in convincing Bangabandhu before the delivery of his historic speech at Suharawardi Uddyan on the day of historic March 7, 1971, Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu acted as my mother advised him not to be influenced by the others, rather speak before rousing audience what he thought well.

The advice of Begum Mujib could make it possible to deliver a epoch-making speech before the audience by Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina said.