Bangamata's rejection of Bangabandhu's release on parole changed political history: PM

Mentioning that her mother Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib could have taken a right decision in any critical juncture of the nation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday her (Bangamata's) decision to reject Bangabandhu's release on parole changed the course of the country's political history, reports BSS.

"The most desirable thing regarding my mother's contributions to the political arena was that my mother had taken correct decisions at the right time. But, I'm sorry to say many big leaders had failed to do it or approached the wrong decision at that time," she said.

While addressing a programme marking the celebration of the 90th birth anniversary of Bangamata, the Prime Minister pointed out that she (Bangamata) had taken the right decision by turning down the proposal of Bangabandhu's release on parole for holding a roundtable discussion (in West Pakistan) putting her life at risk.

"That correct and timely decision had forced Ayub Khan to withdraw the (Agartala Conspiracy) case and changed the course of Bangladesh's political history as well," Sheikh Hasina said.

"She (Bangamata) used to guide the organisation with competence (particularly when Bangabandhu was in jail) and give right decisions," she added.

Sheikh Hasina, elder daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, joined the programme organised by the Ministry of Women and Children Aaffairs, from her official residence Ganabhaban here on virtual platform.

Other participants got connnected from Bangladesh Shishu Academy, the Prime Minister's Office and Gopalganj.

Speaking at the programme as the chief guest, the prime minister recalled that the Pakistani military dictators had tried to include Bangamata's name in the Agartala Conspiracy Case for which Pakistani intelligence agencies interrogated her (Bangamata) several times.

Now today, she said, this historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu has made its place into the World Documentary Heritage by UNESCO and it is also one of the greatest speeches of all times.

A documentary was screened highlighting the life and works of Bangamata.

The premier distributed Taka 26 lakh - Taka 2,000 each - among 1300 distressed women through the electronic medium as per the enrolment of the beneficiaries provided by deputy commissioners of 64 districts.

Born on August 8 in 1930 at Tungipara village in Gopalganj, Bangamata was brutally killed by the assassins of the Father of the Nation on the fateful night of August 15 in 1975.