In the political landscape of post-colonial South Asia, the formation of Bangladesh in 1971 marked a pivotal moment driven by ethnic nationalism. At the center of this historic transformation stood Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose leadership and ideology laid the foundation for Bengali ethnic identity and mobilization. While he is revered as the Father of the Nation in Bangladesh, his role as an ethnic leader—one who mobilized a distinct ethno-linguistic community against political, cultural, and economic domination—deserves critical scholarly attention.
Ethnic leaders, as defined in political theory, mobilize communities based on shared ancestry, culture, language, and historical experiences (Brass, 1991). Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fits this model through his consistent emphasis on Bengali language and culture, economic disparity, and political autonomy. This article analyzes Rahman’s leadership from the perspective of ethnic nationalism, drawing upon theoretical models and historical evidence.
Ethnic Identity and the Rise of Bengali National Consciousness
The division of British India in 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan as a homeland for Muslims. However, this new state was territorially and ethnically divided. West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) were separated by over a thousand miles and represented different cultures, languages, and historical experiences. The Bengali identity of East Pakistanis soon began to conflict with the state-imposed narrative of Muslim unity, which was primarily shaped by the Urdu-speaking elite of West Pakistan.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, born in Tungipara in 1920, was exposed early on to the political dynamics of Bengal. His political consciousness was shaped by his involvement in the All India Muslim Students Federation and later the Awami Muslim League, which eventually became the Awami League—a secular political platform for Bengali interests. One of the early and defining moments of his ethnic leadership came with the Language Movement of 1948–1952, when the central government of Pakistan attempted to impose Urdu as the sole national language.
Mujib was a vocal advocate of Bengali as one of the state languages of Pakistan, recognizing that language was a central marker of ethnic identity. His alignment with this cause earned him political legitimacy among the Bengali masses. The martyrdom of students in the Language Movement strengthened the ethnic divide and reinforced the sense of a separate Bengali identity (Jahan, 1972). Mujib’s leadership capitalized on this sentiment, setting the foundation for a distinct nationalist ideology rooted in ethnic identity.
3. The Six Point Movement: Economic and Political Ethnic Grievances
The socio-economic disparities between East and West Pakistan further deepened the ethnic divide. East Pakistan, despite contributing a majority to Pakistan's exports (notably through jute), received disproportionately less development funding and political representation. By the mid-1960s, these grievances had solidified into a strong ethnic consciousness among the Bengalis.
In 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced the Six Point Program, which called for significant autonomy for East Pakistan. These points included control over currency, trade, taxation, and the paramilitary forces. While framed as economic and administrative reforms, the Six Points were deeply ethnic in nature—they were designed to restore dignity and self-governance to the Bengali people. Mujib himself called the Six Points “the charter of survival” for the people of East Pakistan.
The Pakistani military and political elite viewed the Six Points as a threat to national unity. Mujib’s subsequent arrest and the Agartala Conspiracy Case (1968) aimed to discredit his leadership, but it backfired, further bolstering his status as the ethnic leader of the Bengalis. The mass protests that followed his arrest and eventual release proved that Mujib had become the singular voice of Bengali nationalism.
4. The 1970 Elections and the Road to Secession
The 1970 general elections in Pakistan were a watershed moment. The Awami League, under Mujib’s leadership, won 160 of the 162 seats allocated to East Pakistan in the National Assembly, securing a clear majority. This democratic mandate provided constitutional legitimacy for the implementation of the Six Point Program.
However, the West Pakistani leadership, particularly General Yahya Khan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, refused to honor the results. The decision to postpone the National Assembly session fueled further ethnic resentment. Mujib's famous March 7, 1971 speech at the Racecourse Ground was a masterclass in ethnic leadership. Without declaring outright independence, he invoked centuries of Bengali history, culture, and the recent sacrifices of his people. He said:
"The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation! The struggle this time is the struggle for our independence!"
This speech became the emotional and political rallying point for Bengali self-determination. Mujib's careful balancing act—mobilizing ethnic nationalism without crossing into outright secession—demonstrated his strategic brilliance as an ethnic leader.
5. The Liberation War and the Birth of Bangladesh
On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown on Dhaka that led to mass killings and widespread atrocities. Mujib was arrested and flown to West Pakistan, but the people of East Pakistan, already galvanized by his leadership, began an armed struggle for independence.
During the nine-month Liberation War, the provisional government of Bangladesh (Mujibnagar Government) operated in his name. Although physically absent, Mujib's symbolic presence as the leader of the Bengali people remained powerful. The war culminated in the creation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, with Mujib returning from Pakistani custody in January 1972 to assume leadership of the new nation.
6. Theoretical Analysis: Ethno-symbolism and Ethnic Entrepreneurship
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s political leadership can be interpreted through ethno-symbolism, a theory proposed by Anthony D. Smith (1986), which emphasizes the importance of myths, memories, and symbols in shaping ethnic identity. Mujib invoked historical grievances, the Bengali language, and cultural pride as part of his political strategy. His ability to mobilize these symbols into a coherent political ideology exemplifies ethno-symbolic leadership.
Moreover, from the perspective of Paul Brass (1991), Mujib can be seen as an ethnic entrepreneur—a leader who mobilizes ethnic identity for political gain. He recognized the limitations of religion-based nationalism (i.e., pan-Islamic unity) and instead constructed an ethnic nationalism that resonated more profoundly with the everyday experiences of East Pakistanis.
By positioning himself as the embodiment of Bengali aspirations, Mujib successfully transitioned from being a regional leader to the creator of a new nation-state—a rare transformation in modern political history.
In The End.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s political journey reflects the profound role that ethnic leadership can play in reshaping national borders and identities. His advocacy for the Bengali language, his focus on economic disparity, and his strategic use of ethnic symbols positioned him as more than a political leader—he became the ethnic father figure of a nation.
Through his leadership, the Bengali people found a voice and ultimately a state of their own. His life remains a powerful case study in how ethnic leadership, when rooted in historical consciousness and popular legitimacy, can challenge state power and redefine the political map. Understanding Mujib’s legacy through the lens of ethnic leadership allows us to appreciate the dynamics of nationalism, identity, and political transformation in South Asia and beyond.
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