Asif Nazrul praises Bangabandhu’s role in independence, criticises his rule

Former interim government adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s contribution to Bangladesh’s independence as “undeniable and unparalleled”, while sharply criticising his record in running the country after 1971.

In a Facebook post on Saturday marking Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary, Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh would not have achieved independence in 1971 if Bangabandhu had not been born.

He called Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the “architect of our independence” and said his role in the freedom struggle from 1948 to 1971 was beyond question.

Asif Nazrul said Bangabandhu had also shown commitment to democracy, economic freedom and political dissent before independence. 

For that reason, he said, there were many reasons for people to respect and love him.

But he said that admiration should not prevent criticism of Bangabandhu’s time in power.

Asif Nazrul said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman faced serious difficulties in governing the country after independence and was not a skilled administrator. 

He said the problems of the post-war period, however, did not justify what he described as Bangabandhu’s growing authoritarianism from 1972 onward.

He cited the famine, indiscriminate killings and the introduction of one-party rule as parts of Bangabandhu’s rule that should not be ignored.

Still, Asif Nazrul said those years had not erased the respect many people continued to have for Bangabandhu because of his role in the independence struggle.

“I am one of them,” he said.

Asif Nazrul then turned to Sheikh Hasina’s rule, saying her politics had made it difficult for people like him to openly express their admiration for her father.

He accused the former prime minister of using Bangabandhu’s identity to justify what he called an “authoritarian” rule. 

He also said this had contributed to turning Bangabandhu into an opponent of the July Uprising.

“Bangabandhu’s second death occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, largely at her hands,” he said.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.

Ending his message, Asif Nazrul wrote: “Love for Bangabandhu. Doa.”