Undying spirit of Victory Day

The ethos of the Bangalees was at its most effervescent on this day 53 years ago. This could not be otherwise because for the first time in modern history, the dream of a sovereign country the people of this land has long aspired for materialised on this day with their victory over the occupation forces of Pakistan. Blessed were those who lived to take part in or witnessed the victory celebration. On this day the nation stood tall and those who stayed back home in constant fear for their lives and future as well as suffered physical and mental trauma broke free from the mental circumspection. They were now a people liberated from the inhibition imposed on them by the dictatorial Pakistani rulers and their marauding military. Although the declaration of independence came on March 26, the following nine months were one of the bloodiest episodes in human history with the Pakistani armed forces carrying out genocide and what they codenamed 'scorched earth' policy.

So, to arrive at the dream destination, the nation had to embark on a tortuous course of defence against one of the fiercest, brutal and immoral armies in the world. Three million Bangalees mostly unarmed were massacred and 300,000 girls and women were subjected to rape and sexual repression. More than 10 million people had to flee the country and take shelter in refugee camps in India. Finally, on the eve of their surrender when they were sure of their defeat to the allied Indian army and Muktibahini, the Pakistani debased forces in collusion with their local collaborators Al-Shams and Razakars went on a vicious annihilation plan of the Bangalee intellectuals and highly talented professionals. It was a sinister blueprint executed meticulously aimed at making the emerging nation devoid of talent and intellect. They were picked up only to be killed and dumped in the killing fields of Rayerbazar and Mirpur.

Clearly, the people of this land achieved the victory on December 16, 1971 at a heavy price — well beyond it could afford. So the jubilation on such an occasion was somewhat tempered by the tragedy suffered. Many families were haunted by the untimely loss of their brave sons and daughters who had sacrificed their lives either in fight on the war front or in other unusual circumstances. The bitter-sweet memory of the time is still fresh in the minds of all who survived the war.

The Liberation War of this order should have made the nation humble and reflective in order to decide its post-liberation course of action and journey as judiciously as possible. But apart from rhetoric the meaning of victory in such an extensive war started fading. Winning independence is one thing and rebuilding the country and structuring society are quite another. On that count, the power wielders and the privileged have failed the nation time and again. It is exactly for this reason, there were military coups, counter-coups and uprisings against anti-people rulers who have bred corruption, abused power and perpetuated lawlessness and injustice in the system of dispensation and in society. Yet again, the country finds itself on a crossroads. Options before the nation are not many---either it will sanctify the spirit of unity that earned victory against all odds in 1971 or if it fails there is no knowing how and where things will end up. The Victory Day serves as a fountainhead of encapsulated national ethos. Let it be the guiding force behind this nation's fresh journey.