Bangladesh would have reached larger heights if intellectuals hadn’t been killed in 1971: Martyred visionary’s daughter

Dr Aleem Chowdhury, a visionary, was killed by the Pakistan Army through the 1971Liberation War of Bangladesh. His daughter Dr Nuzhat talks about her father’s unwavering dedication to the nation’s wellbeing and freedom.

Dr Nuzhat Chowdhury, an ophthalmologist and the daughter of Dr Aleem Chowdhury

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: As the long-cherished day of freedom lastly dawned on the land of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971 and folks, principally youths, got here out on the streets chanting slogans of pleasure, Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury was inspecting each face, hoping that her husband would have joined the rally too.

Her partner, Dr Aleem Chowdhury, a visionary and an ophthalmologist who had lengthy been focused for being vocal in opposition to the Pakistan Army-orchestrated genocide, was picked within the twilight hours of the armed battle for freedom.

Her household was but to return to phrases with the chance that he may have been murdered by the Pakistan Army, like many different visionaries who had formed the nation’s mental basis.

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With time ticking by and the hope of Dr Aleem’s return fading away, Shyamoli contacted the spouse of Dr Fazle Rabbi, one other famend doctor, additionally picked by the Pakistan Army. Dr Fazle Rabbi’s spouse couldn’t disguise her feelings as she expressed her doubts in regards to the Pakistan Army returning them alive.

Dr Nuzhat Chowdhury, an ophthalmologist and the daughter of Dr Aleem Chowdhury, revealed {that a} frantic seek for her lacking father went on for days.

Mutilated, disfigured, and decomposed our bodies of individuals, killed by the Pakistan Army and their native collaborators, had been dumped in essentially the most inhumane method in several components of the capital. Each physique was rigorously examined to make sure if it was that of Dr Aleem. Finally, his brother recognized Dr Aleem’s physique in Rayer Bazar mass graveyard on December 18, 1971.

In a dialog with this scribe, Dr Nuzhat spoke about her father’s unwavering dedication to the nation’s wellbeing and freedom, each as knowledgeable and as a visionary. “He was not just the best in the profession but also a man ahead of his time.”

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Her voice trembling with emotion, Dr Nuzhat mentioned that her father was on the forefront of the struggles ranging from the 1952-Language Movement that prompted the world to have fun International Mother Language Day on February 21.

One of the visionaries and in addition an ophthalmologist within the nation, Dr Aleem blended his political involvement with a imaginative and prescient of equal alternative for everybody no matter his class or creed, she added.

“He had a strong conviction that the treatment offered by a physician should be carried out depending on the disease, not on who the patient was. It implies that he envisioned a healthcare system where peasants and day labourers would have access like the ministers and businessmen,” mentioned Dr Nuzhat.

She regretted the void created by the deliberate butchering and massacring of intellectuals by the hands of the Pakistan Army and their collaborators. Sensing their defeat, the Pakistani regime made a listing of the very best sons of this soil who had been able to advancing the nation culturally and intellectually.

“Imagine where our film industry would have been if Zahir Rayhan remained alive. Just think about the progress we could have made if maestros like Munir Chowdhury and Shahidullah Kaiser were there,” she added.

Dr Nuzhat additionally strongly criticized the misinformation unfold by a vested quarter about ‘Bangabandhu’ and twisted lies in regards to the variety of martyrs within the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

“There is a misperception that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ‘Bangabandhu’ – the father of the nation — forgave all the criminals who committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, which is a white lie. He never forgave the ones who committed crimes against humanity like arson and murder,” she underlined.

Reflecting on the darkish chapters for the reason that assassination of ‘Bangabandhu’ in 1975, she mentioned that it had been a traumatizing expertise to see navy dictators giving the assassin of my father political patronage, even the cost of a ministry.

Dr Nuzhat additionally lamented the dearth of consideration to the contribution of girls, like her mom Shyamoli Nasrin and Jahanara Imam, in advancing the spirit of the Liberation War.

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Shyamoli Nasrin testified in 2013 earlier than the International Crimes Tribunal in opposition to Motiur Rahman Nizami for wartime crimes in opposition to humanity. She revealed that Moulana Abdul Mannan, an al-Badr member, who hid his pro-Pakistan agenda and requested shelter from Dr Aleem, modified his color in a single day and conspired to kill him.

It is stunning that Abdul Mannan, the assassin of my father, later grew to become a lawmaker throughout Zia ur Rahman’s regime and went on to turn into a minister throughout (Lt Gen) Ershad’s tenure, Dr Nuzhat mentioned.

Later, battle criminals had been entrusted with the cost of ministries through the BNP-Jamaat rule beginning in 2001. Finally, hope appeared on the horizon when Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League authorities initiated the battle crimes trial the place my mom, amongst others, testified in opposition to the battle criminals, she mentioned.

Edited By:

Tirtho Banerjee

Published On:

Dec 14, 2022