By Maloy Kumar Dutta 

DHAKA, Aug 12, 2023 (BSS) – World media across their political views responded very emotionally and attributed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s devotion and sacrifice for Bengali nation after his brutal murder along with his family members on August 15, 1975 saying the killing was a betrayal act and his death is a irreparable loss for the newborn nation.

The All India Radio Akashvani first broke out the tragic news at global arena on August 16, 1975 with a commentary saying ‘Jesus died’.

“Now millions of people remember him by wearing cross. Perhaps, once Mujib as well will be like that," Akashvani commented.  

Writer and researcher Dr Chowdhury Shahid Kader in an article mentioned meticulously about the news published in different Indian media on August 15 carnage. The article was published in ‘Bangladesh Charcha’, a compilation edited by historian Prof. Muntasir Mamoon. 

According to Kader’s article titled ‘Bangabandhu’s assassination in Indian Media’, Indian newspaper the Economic Times on August 17 carried a news with headline- “India shocked at Mujib’s death.”

The Sunday Standard on the same day made its headline saying “Mujib, Bangladesh PM killed in Army Coup, Khandoker new President, and country under Martial Law”. However, there was a little error in headline as Bangabandhu was president when he was assassinated. However the newspaper published an editorial with headline “Mujib: Liberator of 75m Bengali.”

“Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was overthrown in a military coup, is the father of the four-year old nation and known to his 75 million people as Banga Bandhu” (friend of Bengalis),” the intro of the editorial of the Sunday Standard said.

Esteemed Indian newspaper the Statesman made its main headline-‘India keeping watch on events in Bangladesh grief over Mujib’s Tragic Death.’ It published a half-page biography of Bangabandhu covering the eventful life of Bangladesh’s father of the nation. Its beginning was with a nice sentence- ‘Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the inspiration behind the declaration of Independence by the country of 75 million Bengalis.’

On August 17, the Times of India (TOI) published 16 separate news items on Bangabandhu’s assassination, latest Bangladesh situation and reaction of the world leaders. 

A news item headlined-“Bangla still cut off”, highlighted Bangladesh’s suspension of communications with rest of the world. Another news item had an headline- “Bangladesh becomes Islamic Republic”. 

Reactions of the United States and Soviet Union also came in the TOI under headline- “US watching events, Soviet media report Coup without comment.” The newspaper also mentioned about the reaction of Egypt, Malaysia and the UK. 

In another report the TOI mentioned Khandokar Mustaq expressing gratitude to Pakistan for recognizing his government. The report also cited Pakistan’s pledge of sending 500 metric tonnes of rice and other gift items to Bangladesh after Bangabandhu’s killing.

The TOI made an editorial under the headline-“Father of Sonar Bangla”, highlighting Bangabandhu’s life, political rise, Bangladesh’s Liberation War, his role in building an independent nation and his non-communal thoughts.

Among the European countries Poland was the first to protest the gruesome killing of Bangabandhu. In reaction, the country said leftist and pro-Chinese force had a hand in the coup. Poland accused the forces for carrying out countrywide killings, terrorism and subversive acts.            

French daily Humanite commented ‘Bangladesh coup seems it is pre-planned’. America played a crucial role behind the coup and Khandoker Mustaq is the biggest friend of Washington in Bangladesh. 

On August 18, Indian Bengali daily Jugantar carried a report headlined-“Ektee Dusangbad, Kichhu Bedona-Bidhur Smriti.” The report described how Kolkata people received the sad news. The daily also published a report with the reaction of world leaders on the killing and subsequent situation in Bangladesh. 

Jugantor staff reporter Mihir Ganguly in a story wrote how Kolkata people got the news from Dhaka radio centre.  “Those who have hobby to listen regular foreign radio, they first go through the sad news of Sheikh Mujib’s killing and changeover in Bangladesh.”

Ganguli said he received the news over phone from Dhaka. He noted that Mujibur Rahman was killed and Khandokar Mustaq has taken over and Dhaka again goes under radical rule.             

After the assassination of Bangabandhu, the intensity of shock in the international arena was so grave that the world community had to re-evaluate Bengalis and even portray them as ‘betrayer’.

Many of them were so shocked because of the heinous act and they opined that Bangalees who killed Bangabandhu can no longer be trusted.

Nobel Laureate West German Leader Willy Brandt commented that-"after the killing of Mujib, Bengalis can no longer be trusted. The Bengalis, who can kill Mujib, can perpetrate any heinous deed."

Indian born British citizen and noted litterateur Nirod C. Chowdhury branded Bangalees as ‘Insidious Bangalee’. The Bangalees exposed their suicidal character to the world by killing Bangabandhu.

The influential British daily The Guardian on August 28 published an article saying that the people of Bangladesh apparently returned to the marital law and the religious campaign following the regime of military dictator Ayub Khan.  

On August 16, another British newspaper The Daily Telegraph mentioned: "Millions of people of Bangladesh shall consider the gruesome death of Sheikh Mujib to be irreparable loss."

The Times magazine on its August 16 issue narrated that- Bangabandhu will be ever remembered for the fact that without him Bangladesh would not have acquired its entity in reality. 
The Financial Times asserted that- “Had there been no Mujib, Bangladesh would not have been born.”