His vision for future Bangladesh
Bangabandhu�s last public speech at Suhrawardy Udyan
MM Rahaman
The historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is regarded as one of the best public speeches delivered by a political leader so far. But there are others which reflect the profound depth of Bangabandhus political philosophy. His last political speech at Suhrawardy Udyan on March 26, 1971, is one of them. In this speech, Bangabandhu unfolds his vision for the future course of his government to make Bangladesh a self-reliant and prosperous nation.
He begins by paying tribute to the common people the farmers and the working class. He reminds public servants that the money they get from the state, comes from the hard labour of farmers and workers. So, be respectful while talking to them. They are the real owners of the country, and remind you that you are not living in a British or Pakistani colony, he said.
He also noted that the money spent for the education to produce a doctor or an engineer, or a politician, actually comes from the labour of the farmers and workers. So, he urged all to dedicate themselves for the welfare of the farmers and workers.
Please, dont mind, but may I ask who helped us complete our education? We think that it was our parents who imparted education, who helped us become doctors, engineers and complete courses in science. You are made officials not to look after your family and children alone. You will work for them and serve them. What have you given back to your parents, with whose money you have become engineers, doctors, officers, politicians, members?
Bangabandu says he wants to hit the present social structure hard to ensure a just society.
The system I am going to introduce at every village would be through multi-purpose cooperatives. I shall not take away any of your land. Dont be scared.
Then he unfolded future programmes of his government. These are: establishment of multi-purpose village cooperative in every village; establishment of thana council and district administrative council; proper use of resources and reforming the education system.
About the cooperative system, he said that within the next five years cooperatives would be formed in 25,000 villages and gradually all 65,000 villages would get a cooperative.
The land owner would not loose his ownership, but a portion of his crops will have to be handed over to the cooperative and would be distributed among the landless and jobless. The jobless will get work in the cooperative and the state would provide financial and logistic support to these cooperatives.
About the thana council, Bangabandhu said it would comprise representatives of government and non- government people and a chairman will head the council. Representatives from the party, youth group and farmers will also be members of the council which would run the administration of the thana.
Bangabandhu then narrated his plan for district council. He said all subdivisions would be turned into districts, which would be run by an administrative council headed by a chairman. This council, comprising representatives from the party and people of different classes, would run the district government.
Excerpts from his last speech:
Under the five year plan there would be cooperatives in all 65,000 villages in Bangladesh. The land owner would retain his ownership, but the members would be drawn from the ranks of the unemployed who are capable of working. In the first phase, there would be cooperatives in 25,000 villages. The members would receive money, fertilisers, pesticides and work programmes.
The village cooperatives would eventually push away touts from the Union Councils. Otherwise, they would go nowhere.
I am declaring hereby, under the five year plan, suppose in every village there are 1,000 families. From these, 500 to 1,000 families would be compulsory members of the cooperatives. You will take your share of the crops. A portion will go the cooperative and the government.
There will be one council in each thana which would comprise political workers headed by a chairman.
There will be a strategic employee, under whom there would be representatives of the Krishak Sramik Awami League, youth and farmers who would run the thana.
All sub-divisions will become districts. Each sub-division will have an administrative council, headed by a chairman and all officials would assist him. They would consist of representatives of people, the party and they would run the government.
I have thought about a system like this. I have decided to do it, Inshallah. I seek your cooperation and help.
There is no price for my jute, for my tea. When I go to sell them, I am forced to sell them at a throwaway price. But when I go to purchase, the big countries ask for higher prices. Making it difficult for us to live.
For this, we tell them, kindly stop your warmongering attitude. Stop it and spend those resources for the worlds poor.
Such days will not continue. We are the people of Bangladesh. I have the soil and Golden Bangla, jute, gas, tea, forests, fish and livestock. And time has come to make best use of these resources. n
