Mujibism (Bengali: মুজিববাদ, romanized: Mujibbad) refers to the political view held and propagated by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of the liberation movement of Bangladesh.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Mujibism consists of four fundamental policies: nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism.[3][7][8][9][10] On 7 June 1972, he said that before the country's liberation, the slogans were the six points, now the slogans were the four pillars. When the Constitution of Bangladesh was adopted in 1972, the four pillars become the four fundamental state policies of Bangladesh.[10]
Mujibism মুজিববাদ | |
|---|---|
 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, delivering his historic Six Points at Lahore, January 1966 | |
| Founder | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| Ideology | Fundamentals: Bengali nationalism Socialism Democracy Secularism Others: Democratic socialism State socialism Left-wing populism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
Background edit
Sheikh Mujib's political views were formed by his experience and participation in the liberation movements during both the British period and Pakistani period. Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury opined that though Mujib was a close political disciple of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, his political character got shape under the influence A. K. Fazlul Huq, Abul Hashim, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.[11]
Principles edit
Nationalism edit
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman believed in language-based inclusionist nationalism.[7] He believed that all Bangladeshis are Bengali. According to him, the Bengali language was the first pillar of nationalism.[7] To him, the Bengali language was the quintessential element of Bengali identity binding together a culturally diverse region. He said that he would implement Bengali in all domains of life immediately after taking power.[12] On 12 March 1975, he gave order to use Bengali in all government activities.[13]
Socialism edit
Socialism is the second pillar of Mujibism. He said that socialism in Bangladesh would be native and democratic.[7]
According to him, the country's wealth belongs to all the people of Bangladesh. Everybody will have share in whatever would be produced. Exploitation would be stopped.[7]
He said that the poor own the country and its all property, not the exploiters.
Democracy edit
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a staunch advocate of democracy, emphasizing its pivotal role in governing Bangladesh. He articulated a clear vision, asserting that democratic rights were fundamental, and the collective will of the people should guide the trajectory of the nation. According to Mujib, governance would be determined by the electorate, ensuring a government elected by the people themselves. He adamantly believed that true power did not lie in the barrels of guns, but rather in the hands of the populace, who were the ultimate custodians of authority.[7] Mujib's perspective on governance was distinct. He regarded government officials and bureaucrats as public servants, underscoring their duty to the people. He stood in firm opposition to military rule, contending that military might alone could not safeguard sovereignty; it was the citizenry who held that responsibility. Mujib's aspiration was to forge a path to socialism within the framework of a democratic system, envisioning Bangladesh as an exemplar of a democratic socialist state.[7]
Secularism edit
Secularism is the fourth pillar of Mujibism. He said, there would be no space for religious communalism.[7] He said the state would be secular but freedom of religion would be guaranteed among other democratic rights. Hindus and Muslims and all other religious group would freely perform their respective religious activities.[7]
Others edit
As an opponent of colonialism and imperialism, Sheikh Mujib expressed solidarity with liberation movements of occupied nations in different colonies. Mujib was also pacifist and was involved in Non-Aligned Movement. His ideology also supports and encourages global peace and usually has anti-war stance, unless a nation is under attack.
Mujibism ideology also promotes and encourages rational & logical thinking among people. It also includes scientific minded thinking, thus Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced science based education in the country, so that people of the country can have the ability of free thinking based on logic, rationality, reasoning and science and also emphasised on the development of science & technology for the betterment of the country. Mujibism fiercely opposes superstitions and dogmas that holds the development of the nation back, similar to Ataturk's Kemalism ideology. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also ensured people's rights, freedom of expression and individual freedom in the country, as the philosophy of Mujibism supports the universal human rights, for a better humanity and nation. Mujibism also promotes environmentalism, alongside science. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman used to plant trees by himself often and promoted tree planting, because he believed that both the country & world's prosperity and peace also lies in the green and clean environment of the nation. Under his rule, his government took several initiatives to plant trees, maintain the biodiversity & protect the forests, rivers & environment of Bangladesh.[14]
Legacy edit
When the Constitution of Bangladesh was adopted in 1972, the four pillars become the four fundamental state policies of Bangladesh.[10] Today nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism remain the fundamental state principles of the Constitution.
References edit
- ^ Ilias, Khondakar Mohammad (1972). Mujibbad (in Bengali). Samya.
- ^ "'Father' of Bangladesh". The New York Times. 1975-01-27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-05-18.
- ^ a b Lifschultz, Lawrence; Bird, Kai (1979). "Bangladesh: Anatomy of a Coup". Economic and Political Weekly. 14 (49): 1999–2014. ISSN 0012-9976. JSTOR 4368204.
- ^ আমি আশাবাদী—কথাটি বলতে পারছি না. Prothom Alo (Opinion) (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-05-18.
- ^ Rahman, Bajlur (Manik Bhuiyan). Mujibbad: Bastobayone Somossa o Somadhan মুজিববাদ: বাস্তবায়নে সমস্যা ও সমাধান (in Bengali). Dhaka: Sahitya Bilas. p. 7.
- ^ Jahan, Rounaq (1973). "Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a New State". Asian Survey. 13 (2): 199–210. doi:10.2307/2642736. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2642736.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hossain, Abu Md. Delwar; Ullah, Md. Rahmat, eds. (2013). Bangabandhur Manobadhikar Darshon বঙ্গবন্ধুর মানবাধিকার-দর্শন [Bangabandhu's View of Human Rights] (in Bengali). Dhaka: National Human Rights Commission. pp. 16–25.
- ^ Blood, Peter R. (1989). "Historical Setting". In Heitzman, James; Worden, Robert (eds.). Bangladesh: A Country Study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 31–32.
- ^ Dastogir, K. A. Golam (2013). Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Dorshon বঙ্গবন্ধুর রাজনৈতিক দর্শন [Political views of Bangabandhu] (in Bengali). Dhaka: Adorsho. p. 10.
- ^ a b c Hossain, Abu Md. Delwar, ed. (2013). Bangabandhur Manobadhikar Darshon. Dhaka: National Human Rights Commission. pp. 16–25.
- ^ Chowdhury, Abdul Gaffar (2019-02-26). ভাষা আন্দোলনের হক সাহেব ও শেখ সাহেব. Janakantha (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ বঙ্গবন্ধু যেভাবে সর্বস্তরে বাংলা ভাষা চালুর পরিকল্পনা করেছিলেন. Jugantor (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2019-05-18.
- ^ ভাষা আন্দোলনে বঙ্গবন্ধুর অবদান. Amader Shomoy (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ "Contribution of Bangabandhu to the conservation of biodiversity in Bangladesh". 17 March 2021.