That future is now in Bangladesh -- not in films but in history. There are many versions of the history of Bangladesh. Let us consider some of these versions.

BNP version

Bangladesh had been a colony for many years. Finally, in 1971, Major Zia wanted to free his countrymen and went to the Chittagong radio station to declare independence of Bangladesh. After a bloody war lasting 9 months the freedom fighters defeated the "hanadar bahini," (invading forces) and Bangladesh became independent.

At the time of the liberation war, while the freedom fighters fought, the political leaders were outside Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to Pakistan and other political leaders went to India. Once Bangladesh became independent India intervened and wanted to make Bangladesh a colony by putting Awami League in power. This failed hence Kissinger called Bangladesh "a bottomless basket."

The people of Bangladesh rejected that government and brought back Maj Gen Zia as their leader in 1975. President Ziaur Rahman gave Bangladesh multi-party democracy, and was assassinated in 1981. After the rule of Gen Ershad from 1982 to 1990 BNP returned to power again, and the rest is -- as they say -- history. Now, to quote from a recent speech of Mrs. Zia: "one party (Awami League) is working for its foreign master and is trying to make Bangladesh their (Indian) colony."

Pakistani version

Since 1947, when Pakistan became the homeland for the Muslims, India was forced to accept it but was conspiring to undo Pakistan. Taking the cue from India, misguided Bengalis challenged "Quaid-i-Azam" and wanted Bengali as a national language against his wishes. Awami League was working to undermine the integrity of Pakistan at an early state.

Their leader Sheikh Mujib was part of "Agartala Conspiracy" for which he was charged with sedition. He was tied and jailed. In 1971, with Indian help, Awami League wanted to dismember Pakistan. Pakistani soldiers fought valiantly. Jamaat leader Gholam Azam said: "Sheikh Mujib and Awami League have betrayed the people by siding with India."

Mr Motiur Rahman Nizami said on August 23: "Those who wants to dismember Pakistan wants to destroy Islam." In August 1971 Pakistani President Yahya published a white paper blaming Awami League for conspiring against Pakistan, and justified the military crackdown of March 25 as a preemptive strike to foil the conspiracy against the integrity of Pakistan.

Professor Rushbrook Williams of Oxford also criticized India and Awami League in his book, which was largely based on that white paper. In December 1971, according to Niazi, there was a conspiracy and Yahya Khan, then president of Pakistan, surrendered. If Niazi had been left to his own devices -- as he claimed many years later -- he would have taken over Kolkata. It is because of international conspiracy that India could dismember Pakistan and make Sheikh Mujib the leader of Bangladesh.

My version

The people of East Bengal joined Pakistan with high hopes that turned into frustration as they were constantly exploited, and their culture was undermined. The language movement was the beginning of their aspirations to live by their language and culture. The Punjabi ruling class was unwilling to share power and national income.

Awami League launched a movement for regional autonomy, and democratic rights of the people of East Bengal. In the 1970 elections Awami League won 167 of 169 seats. Yahya Khan called Sheikh Mujib the future prime minister of Pakistan. On March 1, the National Assembly session was suddenly postponed indefinitely. Sheikh Mujib gave a statement at Purbani Hotel declaring non-cooperation. On March 7 he gave a fiery speech at the racecourse where, among other things, he said: "Ebarer sangram sadhinotar sangram."

On March 25 the Pakistan army attacked civilians, Dhaka University, the EPR and the police to crush this movement and to restore "law and order." On the night of March 25-26 Sheikh Mujib was arrested and taken to Pakistan and was thrown into jail. The liberation war began.

Various units of the Bengal Regiment and the EPR rebelled. Major Zia went to Chittagong radio station and read an announcement on March 27 which said: "I Major Zia on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman do hereby proclaim the independence of Bangladesh."

The Mukti Bahini was organized under Awami League, and Colonel Osmany was made the Commander-in-chief under whom there were 11 sector commanders. Indian soldiers trained, supported and fought alongside the Mukti Bahini. India hosted 9 million refugees who crossed the border during this time.

In international politics US was supporting Pakistan. US Under-Secretary of State Alexis Johnson, in a Washington Special Action Group meeting on December 6, made the prognosis: "Bangladesh will be an international basket case." To which Kissinger added:

"It will not necessarily be our basket case."

India signed a treaty with USSR and finally got directly involved. Pakistan attacked India on December 3, 1971 to internationalize the crisis. India retaliated. George Bush Sr, US ambassador to UN, tabled a cease-fire motion at the Security Council, which USSR vetoed. Meanwhile, the Mukti Bahini, made up of soldiers, students, peasants, liberated a good part of the land. General Manekshaw offered terms of surrender to Pakistani forces in East Pakistan.

On December 16 Niazi surrendered to the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Command at the race course -- the same ground where Bangabandhu gave his historic speech. Sheikh Mujib was released from jail and reached Dhaka on January 10, 1972 to a tumultuous reception. On his way he stopped at Delhi where in a speech he said: "I have come from darkness to light."

Now you, good readers, judge which version sounds more credible. If you do not like my version, then simply rewind and press "BNP" or "Pakistani" version.

Habibul Haque Khondker is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.