April 17: A day that defined our existence

April 17 is an unforgettable day in the history of Bangladesh’s independence. On April 10, 1971, the Mujibnagar Government — Bangladesh’s first government-in-exile — was formed. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was elected President of this government, though he was imprisoned in Pakistan at the time. On April 17, in Baidyanathtala of Meherpur district (now Mujibnagar), this first government of Bangladesh formally took oath. The brief but historic ceremony was attended by over 50 journalists from home and abroad. In Bangabandhu’s absence, Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam received the Guard of Honour on his behalf.

The name “Mujibnagar” was given to Baidyanathtala by Tajuddin Ahmad. Local church workers played a role in organizing the event — even the chairs for guests were borrowed from the nearby church. The oath-taking ceremony concluded with the slogan “Joy Bangla.”

As the oaths were taken, the flag of independent Bangladesh was raised. Security for the venue was jointly ensured by local people and India’s Border Security Force under the guidance of Golok Majumder. According to eyewitness accounts, at 11:10 AM, when top leaders walked confidently to the stage, the crowd of determined freedom fighters burst into chants of “Joy Bangla.” A small stage had been set up at the venue.

Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam was the first to take the stage. A contingent of freedom fighters under then-SDPO of Jhenaidah, Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, presented the Guard of Honour. He was followed by Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad, cabinet members, and Commander-in-Chief Colonel M.A.G. Osmani. Volunteers welcomed the leaders with showers of flower petals.

The oath ceremony was conducted by Abdul Mannan, MCA, President of the editorial board of the government’s mouthpiece Joy Bangla newspaper.

Chief Whip Professor Yusuf Ali read out the Proclamation of Independence — the founding document of the new nation. The ceremony began with recitations from the Qur’an, the Gita, and the Bible, reflecting the country’s commitment to secularism.

As the national flag was raised on this crucial day of survival, four brave sons of Bengal sang the national anthem “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi,” joined by the entire crowd in a moment of profound emotion. Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam introduced the Prime Minister and cabinet members, and officially appointed Colonel Osmani as Commander-in-Chief and Colonel Abdur Rab as Chief of Staff.

In a powerful speech, Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam said, “Our President, Sheikh Mujib, beloved by the people and a symbol of the oppressed, is now imprisoned for leading our struggle for political, economic, and cultural rights. Under his leadership, our liberation struggle will be victorious.” In his own historic speech, Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad declared, “Pakistan is dead and buried under the corpses of countless innocents. Before unleashing his planned genocide, Yahya should have realized he was digging Pakistan’s grave.” He concluded with a call for global solidarity: “In this existential struggle, we seek friendship with all nations. No nation has fought a harder or more just struggle than ours. Joy Bangla!”

A government gains full legitimacy when it takes an oath under constitutional provisions. The speeches of the Acting President and Prime Minister that day were historically significant and visionary. Many notable individuals, including Deputy Commissioners Nurul Qader Khan (Pabna) and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury (Meherpur), political leaders, and internationally renowned journalists, were present.

The oath-taking of the Mujibnagar Government was a monumental event. Sunil Gangopadhyay describes the scene vividly in pages 85–87 of his novel Purbo-Paschim:

“The cars finally stopped inside a large mango orchard. This village was called Baidyanathtala, in Meherpur subdivision of Kushtia district. People were rushing to arrange chairs, most with broken arms, brought from nearby homes. Around the area, 20-25 armed soldiers — likely defected from the East Pakistan Rifles — stood guard with rifles and LMGs.

A massive crowd surged in from nearby villages. Unable to break the armed perimeter, some climbed the trees.

The event began after 11 AM. Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, and others arrived. But the most needed presence — Sheikh Mujib — was missing. His whereabouts remained unknown, yet he was declared President. Syed Nazrul Islam became Acting President. The Prime Minister was Tajuddin Ahmad. The three cabinet ministers were Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, H.M. Kamruzzaman, and M. Mansur Ali. Retired Colonel Osmani was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Just a week earlier, the Proclamation of Independence had been declared from the provisional Mujibnagar Government office on Theatre Road in Kolkata. Today, April 17, 1971, the independent Government of Bangladesh was formally established within the country. Chief Whip Yusuf Ali read the historic document.”

Through capable leadership, clear direction, and strategic planning, the Mujibnagar Government advanced the Liberation War toward a victorious conclusion. It played a crucial role in global advocacy, refugee management, and support for war-torn citizens, assuming full responsibility during wartime.

At the time, freedom fighters across different regions of Bangladesh were resisting Pakistani forces in scattered groups. However, lacking a central command structure made organized resistance difficult. It was vital to show the world that Bangladesh’s elected representatives had formed a legitimate government — as no other authority had the mandate to do so.

Reflecting the will of the people and maintaining constitutional continuity, the provisional government took oath with full political legitimacy. The Proclamation of Independence served as its legal foundation. Ultimately, the blood of 3 million martyrs and the sacrifices of over 400,000 women secured the nation’s freedom. Formed on April 10 and sworn in on April 17, this government successfully led the Liberation War, engaged the world, and brought Bangladesh to the brink of victory. That is why April 17 holds such immense importance in Bangladesh’s history.

Tragically, the enemies of independence never stopped conspiring. Only three and a half years after independence, Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally assassinated with most of his family. His daughters — Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana — survived only because they were abroad. In the nation’s darkest times, they carried the torch of leadership for the Awami League. Sheikh Hasina has since been elected Prime Minister four times. She too faced numerous assassination attempts, including the grenade attack on her rally which killed Ivy Rahman, President of the Awami League’s Women’s Wing, and 24 others. Over 200 activists were injured. It was the human shield of her loyal workers that saved her life.

Sadly, through another major conspiracy, the defeated forces of 1971 have returned to power. In their rage, they have desecrated the historic Mujibnagar — demolishing monuments of independence. Yet we remain confident that in Bangabandhu’s secular Bangladesh, there will never be a place for the hyenas who opposed the Liberation War — nor for their followers.

Writer: M. Nazrul Islam; President, All European Awami League