17th March: Bangabandhu’s 105th birthday today

17th March. Today is the 105th birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

On this day in 1920, the architect of the nation’s independence was born in Tungipara under the then Gopalganj subdivision, reports The Daily Star.

Through his astute leadership, Mujib mobilised the Bangalee nation to rise against exploitation and repression by the Pakistani rulers. This movement culminated in the creation of an independent Bangladesh after a nine-month-long bloody war in 1971.

Mujib‍‍`s political journey began as a humble activist during his student years. After completing his studies at Islamia College in Calcutta in 1947, he enrolled in law at Dhaka University. However, his involvement in politics ultimately led to his expulsion from the university in 1948. That same year, he was imprisoned twice.

By 1954, he had evolved into an activist politician, driven by his involvement in the formation of the Awami Muslim League in June 1949.

Following Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy‍‍`s death in 1963, he revived the Awami League in January 1964. In February 1966, he unveiled the Six-Point Programme for regional autonomy during a conference of Pakistan‍‍`s opposition parties in Lahore.

In May that year, he was arrested under the Defence of Pakistan Rules. While in prison, he was charged, in January 1968, with conspiracy to break up Pakistan through what was given out as the Agartala Conspiracy Case.

A mass upsurge forced the withdrawal of the case on February 22, 1969. The next day, at a huge rally at the then Race Course Maidan, Sheikh Mujib was bestowed with the title "Bangabandhu" -- the Friend of Bengal.

Bangabandhu led the Awami League to a decisive victory in Pakistan‍‍`s first general elections in December 1970.

On March 7, 1971 he delivered the historic speech, which united the entire nation for the Liberation War.

As the Pakistan army launched its genocidal crackdown on Bangalees on March 25, 1971, Bangabandhu was arrested shortly afterward. He was flown to West Pakistan, where he faced trial on charges of treason.

Pakistan‍‍`s defeat and the emergence of an independent Bangladesh saw him return home on January 10, 1972.

During his rule, Bangabandhu made several controversial moves, including establishing the Rakkhi Bahini, introducing a one-party rule called Baksal, and banning or closing all but four state-owned national newspapers.

On August 15, 1975, he along with most of his family members was assassinated by a disgruntled group of army men.

Bangabandhu‍‍`s birthday used to be celebrated as National Children‍‍`s Day throughout the past Awami League rule. It used to be a public holiday. However, the interim government has canceled the National Children‍‍`s Day.