1972.E2.80.9380: Post-independence era History of Bangladesh after independence

1 1972–80: post-independence era

1.1 sheikh mujib administration
1.2 left wing insurgency
1.3 bangladesh krishak sramik awami league (baksal)
1.4 assassination of sheikh mujibur rahman , aftermath
1.5 ziaur rahman administration, 1975–81

1972–80: post-independence era
sheikh mujib administration

bangladesh s founding leader sheikh mujibur rahman, prime minister, president gerald ford @ oval office in 1974

upon assuming presidency after release, sheikh mujib briefly assumed provisional presidency , later took office prime minister, heading organs of government , decision-making. politicians elected in 1970 formed provisional parliament of new state. mukti bahini , other militias amalgamated form new bangladeshi army indian forces transferred control on 17 march. government faced serious challenges, including rehabilitation of millions of people displaced in 1971, organising supply of food, health aids , other necessities. effects of 1970 cyclone had not worn off, , state s economy had immensely deteriorated conflict.

mujib helped bangladesh enter united nations , non-aligned movement. travelled united states, united kingdom , other european nations obtain humanitarian , developmental assistance nation. signed treaty of friendship india, pledged extensive economic , humanitarian assistance , began training bangladesh s security forces , government personnel. mujib forged close friendship indira gandhi, praising india s decision intercede, , professed admiration , friendship india. major efforts launched rehabilitate estimated 10 million refugees. economy began recovering , famine prevented. constitution proclaimed in 1973 , elections held, resulted in mujib , party gaining power absolute majority. further outlined state programmes expand primary education, sanitation, food, healthcare, water , electric supply across country. five-year plan released in 1973 focused state investments agriculture, rural infrastructure , cottage industries.

in 1974, bangladesh experienced deadliest famine ever, killed around 1.5 million bangladeshi people hunger. bangladesh famine of 1974 major source of discontent against mujib s government. bangladeshi people feel ashamed, insulted , demoralised nation famine not due food crisis.

left wing insurgency

at height of sheikh mujib s power, left wing insurgents, organised jatiyo samajtantrik dal s armed wing gonobahini fought against government of sheikh mujibur rahman, establish marxist government.

the government responded forming jatiya rakkhi bahini began campaign of brutal human rights abuses against general populace, including force became involved in numerous charges of human rights abuse including political killings, shooting death squads, forced disappearances , rape. members of jatiyo rakkhi bahini granted immunity prosecution , other legal proceedings.

bangladesh krishak sramik awami league (baksal)

the 1974 famine had shocked mujib , profoundly affected views on governance, while political unrest gave rise increasing violence. during famine, 70000 people reported dead (note: reports vary). in response, began increasing powers. on 25 january 1975 mujib declared state of emergency , political supporters approved constitutional amendment banning opposition political parties. mujib assumed presidency , given extraordinary powers. political supporters amalgamated form legalised political party, bangladesh krishak sramik awami league, commonly known initials—baksal. party identified rural masses, farmers , labourers , took control of government machinery. launched major socialist programmes. using government forces , militia of supporters called jatiyo rakkhi bahini, mujib clamped down on opposition him. militia known rakhibahini , police accused of torturing suspects , political killings. while retaining support many segments of population, mujib evoked anger amongst veterans of liberation war seen betrayal of causes of democracy , civil rights.

assassination of sheikh mujibur rahman , aftermath

on 15 august 1975, group of junior army officers invaded presidential residence tanks , killed mujib, family , personal staff. daughters sheikh hasina wajed , sheikh rehana, visiting west germany, escaped. banned returning bangladesh. coup planned disgruntled awami league colleagues , military officers, included mujib s colleague , former confidanté khondaker mostaq ahmad, became immediate successor. there intense speculation in media accusing central intelligence agency of having instigated plot. lawrence lifschultz has alleged cia involved in coup , assassination, basing assumption on ambassador in dhaka eugene booster.

mujib s death plunged nation many years of political turmoil. coup leaders overthrown , series of counter-coups , political assassinations paralysed country. order largely restored after coup in 1977 gave control army chief ziaur rahman. declaring himself president in 1978, ziaur rahman signed indemnity ordinance, giving immunity prosecution men plotted mujib s assassination , overthrow.

ziaur rahman administration, 1975–81

successive military coups resulted in emergence of army chief of staff general ziaur rahman ( zia ) strongman. pledged army s support civilian government headed president chief justice sayem. acting @ zia s behest, sayem dissolved parliament, promising fresh elections in 1977, , instituted martial law.

acting behind scenes of martial law administration (mla), zia sought invigorate government policy , administration. while continuing ban on political parties, sought revitalise demoralised bureaucracy, begin new economic development programs, , emphasise family planning. in november 1976, zia became chief martial law administrator (cmla) , assumed presidency upon sayem s retirement 5 months later, promising national elections in 1978. president, zia announced 19-point program of economic reform , began dismantling mla. keeping promise hold elections, zia won five-year term in june 1978 elections, 76% of vote. in november 1978, government removed remaining restrictions on political party activities in time parliamentary elections in february 1979. these elections, contested more 30 parties, marked culmination of zia s transformation of bangladesh s government mla democratically elected, constitutional one. al , bangladesh nationalist party (bnp), founded zia, emerged 2 major parties.

in may 1981, zia assassinated in chittagong dissident elements of military. attempted coup never spread beyond city, , major conspirators either taken custody or killed. in accordance constitution, vice-president justice abdus sattar sworn in acting president. declared new national emergency , called election of new president within 6 months—an election sattar won bnp s candidate. president sattar sought follow policies of predecessor , retained same cabinet, army stepped in once again.