The Liberation War: The Culmination of the Bengali Struggle Under Bangabandhu’s Leadership EN BN All Sections Views & Opinion Party News News Press Release Gallery Special Report Special Article Mujib 100 The Liberation War: The Culmination of the Bengali Struggle Under Bangabandhu’s Leadership 1010 Published on March 10, 2026 The world, at the time, was gripped by upheaval. Across continents, movements for freedom and self-determination were unfolding. Communist revolutions were reshaping political landscapes in some regions, while separatist conflicts erupted in others as peoples fought for independence. Yet the struggle of the Bengali nation was markedly different. Unlike many armed uprisings of the era, Bangladesh’s journey toward independence unfolded through a largely constitutional and democratic process. In the landmark national elections of 1970 in Pakistan, the political party representing the Bengali majority secured an absolute majority in the national assembly. The liberation movement that followed was backed by the elected representatives of the people and driven by the overwhelming will of the Bengali population. At the centre of this historic movement stood Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — later revered as Bangabandhu, or “Friend of Bengal.” With remarkable foresight, he first led the struggle to secure the right of Bengalis to speak their mother tongue. Over time, that struggle evolved into a broader political movement demanding autonomy. After more than a decade of preparing the nation politically and intellectually, he unveiled the historic Six-Point Programme — widely described as the “charter of survival” for the Bengali people. Under his leadership, mass participation in the political process steadily intensified. Despite repeated conspiracies, legal battles, imprisonment and repression by the ruling establishment of Pakistan and its local allies, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s party achieved a sweeping electoral victory. In early 1971, the democratic movement gained unstoppable momentum. Nearly seventy million Bengalis became united in a single cause. By early March, effective control over the country’s political direction had shifted to Bangabandhu, who issued daily directives guiding the nation and preparing its people for a possible armed struggle. Then came the turning point. On the night of 25 March 1971, the Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown on the sleeping population of East Pakistan — an operation that would later be remembered as one of the darkest moments in the region’s history. In response, the declaration of Bangladesh’s independence followed, marking the beginning of the armed struggle for liberation. From that moment onward, the Bengali people broke the chains of domination and embarked on a war that would ultimately give birth to a new nation — Bangladesh. The Liberation War thus became the culmination of decades of political struggle, a defining chapter that would establish the Bengalis on the world stage as a nation forged through sacrifice and resilience.⁩ TAGS: Month of Independence Bangabandhu Liberation War Live TV Recommended For You Bangladesh Failing to Protect Women and Children Despite Tough Laws Election of Deception and Farce: Statement by the People’s Leader Sheikh Hasina Sajeeb Wazed Urges International Community to Save Bangladesh from Falling in Grasp of Islamic Extremists ⁨BBC Bangla Report: More Than a Thousand Looted Weapons Still Unrecovered After a Year and a Half, Raising Election Security Concerns ⁨Sheikh Hasina Presents Five-Point Plan to Restore Stability in Bangladesh Bangladesh changing under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Bangabandhu's nation with Development and Good Governance: An Indomitable force in Plights and Promises Martyrs of 21st August Grenade Attack How Sheikh Hasina met 7 of the people's basic needs 8th Five Year Plan: En Route to a Prosperous Bangladesh How a mass movement thwarted plot to keep Sheikh Hasina out of politics & freed her from prison The murderous legacy of BNP's founder General Ziaur Rahman Niko Corruption: How a deal facilitated by Tarique’s cronies cost Bangladesh over $1.06 billion The story behind the 7th March Speech Padma Bridge - A Symbol of Pride and Dignity of Bangladesh l An Engineering Masterpiece This work is copyrighted and authorized by the Bangladesh Awami League. You may download, display, print and re-produce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice)for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organization. Terms and Conditions