BY ANOOP BOSE, ADVOCATE, SUPREME COURT OF INDIA.
Amar Sonar Bangla – My Golden Bangla
On 19th July,1905, George Nathaniel Curzon, better known as “The Lord Curzon of Kedleston”, the last Viceroy of India, announced the first partition of Bengal that eventually split the undivided Province of Bengal into two parts with effect from 16th October,1905. This dismemberment purely along communal lines (East Bengal and majority of Muslims and West Bengal and a majority of Hindus) was politically motivated and sought to subvert Indians’ unrelenting freedom struggle against the hand oppressive British hegemony in India.
The partition prompted the beginning of the anti-colonial cultural nationalism epitomised by Tagore, who wrote the song “Amar Sonar Bangla” for the Swadeshi movement, and the boycott of foreign goods. The literary movement that emerged around the partition saw cultural creativity being used as a vehicle for political mobilisation.
The caravan on the sands of Bangladesh became a powerful image of the country’s history, its people and its longing for freedom. The colonial partition of Bengal was eventually annulled, but the political and social consequences continued to shape the history of the region and its people.
Bangladesh would never have materialised but for the struggle led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who dedicated his life to the liberation of his country. The liberation of Bangladesh was the culmination of a long struggle against discrimination and oppression.
On the morning of 7th March, 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic speech calling upon the people to fight for freedom. His leadership and political vision became the foundation of the liberation movement.
The maintenance of close friendship with India is one of the fundamental objectives of the foreign policy of Bangladesh. India gave us united help for our freedom struggle. The role of India in supporting the liberation of Bangladesh is, therefore, deeply cherished.
On 16th December, 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War came to an end with the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka. Bangladesh emerged as an independent sovereign country.
Thereafter, the relationship between India and Bangladesh has continued to develop on the basis of mutual respect, shared history and common interests. The people of both countries remain closely connected by culture, geography and history.
I would like to conclude by recalling the words of Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu’s dream of a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh. May the friendship between our two countries continue to grow and may the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom never be forgotten.