Bangabandhu’s Politics: PM recalls role of Fazilatunnesa Mujib
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib was the source of all encouragement, strength and courage for Bangabandhu.
“My mother always encouraged him [Bangabandhu] to do politics for the people of this country.... She never pulled him back... she never looked out for her own interests... she never thought what she would get in life,” the PM said.
She was addressing a function marking the 87th birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib in the capital's Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
She said Bangamata helped Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from behind the scene and Bangabandhu could become a great leader as she had been beside him.
Hasina, the eldest of five children of Bangabandhu, said her father used to talk to her mother before making any major political decision.
About the influence of Bangabandhu's wife in his political life, she said Bangamata helped Bangabandhu take various important political decisions.
She said Bangabandhu used to learn about the Awami League leaders and workers from his wife when she met him in jails during the Pakistan period.
The PM said her mother sent her with a message to Bangabandhu not to accept the proposal of coming out of jail on parole in the Agartala conspiracy case and Bangabandhu rejected the parole offer. Later, the then Pakistan government was forced to free Bangabandhu unconditionally.
She mentioned that the Father of the Nation was frequently imprisoned on political grounds, but during that period her mother played an important role in administering the AL.
The PM recalled that during the Liberation War in 1971, Bangamata had faced the situation with patience, courage and wisdom while her husband remained imprisoned in Pakistan.
Terming her mother a simple and humble person, Hasina said she stayed beside Bangabandhu and played a unique role during the Liberation War and rebuilding of the nation soon after the country's independence.
Bangamata would remain in the heart of the Bangali nation and would be ever remembered for her sacrifices, patriotism and love for the people, she added.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki presided over the function, organised by her ministry.
A documentary on the life and works of Bangamata was screened on the occasion.
On this day in 1930, she was born in a noble Muslim family in Tungipara village of the then Gopalganj sub-division in Faridpur.
She along with Bangabandhu and most of her family members was brutally killed on August 15, 1975.
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