Bangabandhu named Bangladesh two years before independence

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DHAKA, Aug 7, 2018 (BSS) – Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had named the country as Bangladesh two years ahead of its ultimate victory in the Liberation War on December 16 in 1971.

On December 5 in 1969, Bangabandhu made a declaration naming the then East Pakistan as Bangladesh at a discussion organized by Awami League in the capital marking the death anniversary of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.

The announcement of Bangabandhu is mentioned on page number 274 in the book ‘Karagarer Rojnamcha’ (Diary in Jail), written by Bangabandhu. Besides, historians also confirmed the matter.

“Once upon a time, attempts were made to erase the last sign of the word ‘Bangla’ forever from this land and from the pages of the map… The existence of the word ‘Bangla’ was not found with anything else except the Bay of Bengal only. I, on behalf of the people, declare that from today the name of the eastern province of Pakistan will be named as only ‘Bangladesh’ instead of East Pakistan,” Bangabandhu had told the discussion.

It was mentioned in the ‘Introduction of Political Life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1955-75)’ part of the book ‘Karagarer Rojnamcha’ that Bangabandhu made the declaration naming the country as Bangladesh in 1969.

Asked about naming of the country, historian Professor Dr Anwar Hossain said, on that day the name of Bangladesh was announced in public.

Bangabandhu in his presidential speech at a programme marking the 6th death anniversary of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy made the declaration for the first time, he added.

“Name of our country will be Bangladesh,” Anwar said, quoting Bangabandhu as he said in the programme.

In the next day, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Ataur Rahman Khan gave statements in daily newspapers supporting Bangabandhu’s announcement, he added.

Historian Professor Muntasir Mamun also quoted the declaration of Bangabandhu in his book ‘Bangabandhu Kibhabe Swadhinata Enechilen’ (How Bangabandhu Brought Independence).

“On that day, Bangabandhu had said if a new country is born, its name will be Bangladesh,” he said.