Latest news with #SatyajitRay
News18
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
This Actor Was Once Called 'Flop Master General', Later Delivered 29 Hits With Top Heroine
When we talk about Bengali cinema, the first name that comes to mind is Uttam Kumar. Known as the 'Mahanayak' long before Amitabh Bachchan, Uttam Kumar left a lasting mark not just on Bengali films but on Indian cinema as a whole. However, his journey to stardom was far from easy. (News18 Hindi) Uttam Kumar's real name was Arun Kumar Chatterjee. He was born on September 3, 1926, in the Ahiritola area of Kolkata. After completing his education, he briefly worked at the Kolkata Port Trust, but his passion for theatre soon drew him to the world of acting. (News18 Hindi) He made his film debut in 1948 with Drishtidan, which failed at the box office. Unfortunately, it was just the beginning of a rough patch, with six more films flopping consecutively. The failures were so significant that people mockingly labelled him the 'Flop Master General'. (News18 Hindi) But Uttam Kumar didn't give up. In 1952, he bounced back with Basu Paribar, a film that became a box office hit and changed his fortunes. From that point on, there was no looking back. In 1966, his performance in Satyajit Ray's Nayak, where he portrayed a superstar battling inner turmoil, took his career to new heights. The character of 'Arindam Mukherjee' mirrored Uttam's own life in many ways. Satyajit Ray himself praised his acting, calling him a true superstar. (News18 Hindi) His on-screen pairing with Suchitra Sen was legendary in Bengali cinema. The two worked together in 30 films, including Sharey Chuattar, Saptapadi, Amar Prem, and Harano Sur. Remarkably, 29 of these were box office hits. Uttam Kumar once admitted in an interview that he might not have become the star he was without Suchitra Sen by his side. (News18 Hindi) After conquering Bengali cinema, he also ventured into Hindi films. His most acclaimed Hindi film was Amanush (1975), directed by Shakti Samanta, which was released in both Hindi and Bengali. He also starred in films like Anand Ashram, Chhoti Si Mulakat, and Dooriyan. (News18 Hindi) Uttam Kumar was recognised with several prestigious awards for his acting. In 1967, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his roles in Antony Firingee and Chiriyakhana. In 2009, the Indian Postal Department honoured him with a commemorative postage stamp. Kolkata also renamed a metro station as 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station' in his memory. (News18 Hindi) Tragically, while shooting for the film Ogo Bodhu Shundori, he experienced chest pain on July 23, 1980, and drove himself to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, he passed away the next day, on July 24, 1980, at the age of 53. (News18 Hindi) Uttam Kumar's life is a testament to resilience, talent, and the enduring power of cinema. From being written off early in his career to becoming a cultural icon, his journey continues to inspire generations. (News18 Hindi)
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
How Yunus' assault on shared Bengali heritage betrays his own nation
The Gopalganj violence, the failure to conduct autopsies, and the move to demolish Satyajit Ray's ancestral home are not mere missteps but a profound betrayal of the Bangladeshi people's trust and their shared history with India read more It is absolutely essential that the Yunus-led interim government take immediate steps to restore Bangladesh's democratic character while safeguarding the rich Bengali heritage that defines the nation and its deep ties with India. Image: AP The bloodbath in Gopalganj on July 16, 2025, is a gut-wrenching testament to the catastrophic failure of Muhammad Yunus's interim government, a regime that has plunged Bangladesh into a vortex of violence and cultural betrayal. This wasn't just a clash; it was a massacre, with at least five confirmed dead—though Bangladesh Human Rights Watch (BHRW) suggests a staggering 21 fatalities, a number the government refuses to verify. The Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP), widely seen as Yunus's puppet, sparked the chaos by confronting Awami League supporters in Gopalganj, the symbolic heartland of Sheikh Hasina and the birthplace of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The state's response was not justice but repression: a suffocating curfew, over 160 arrests, and a chilling refusal to conduct autopsies on the victims, as confirmed by Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital. No death certificates were issued, and Dhaka Range DIG Rezaul Karim Mallick's vague promise of 'legal procedures' is a hollow insult to the grieving. As someone who holds Bangladesh's storied resilience close, I'm enraged by this desecration of Gopalganj, a place that embodies the nation's fight for freedom, now stained by a government that seems to revel in tearing it apart. This isn't an isolated tragedy but a symptom of a broader collapse under Yunus's watch since August 2024. The interim government has presided over a relentless wave of violence—murders, mob lynchings, rapes, and attacks on minorities—that has left Bangladesh's social fabric in tatters. The brutal killing of Lal Chand Sohag in Dhaka and the gang rape in Cumilla are not anomalies but glaring evidence of a nation spiralling into lawlessness. Yunus, with breathtaking arrogance, claims crime statistics show 'stabilisation', a lie so blatant it mocks the fear gripping ordinary citizens. The move to demolish the ancestral home of Harikishore Ray Chowdhury, Satyajit Ray's forebear, in Mymensingh—once the Mymensingh Shishu Academy—is a deliberate act of cultural vandalism. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) requested for its preservation, offering to fund its transformation into a museum celebrating the shared Bengali heritage of both the nations. West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee echoed this plea, but Yunus's regime responded by saying that the said house has no connection to Satyajit Ray whatsoever, hell-bent on erasing a piece of history that binds India and Bangladesh. Belayat Hossain Mamun, general secretary of the Federation of Film Societies of Bangladesh, warns this is a trial run for further destruction, potentially targeting Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury's birthplace in Moshua, Kishoreganj. The contrast with Sheikh Hasina's government, which restored the Kishoreganj site, is stark—Yunus seems intent on obliterating the very soul of Bengal. Sheikh Hasina's blistering statement cuts through the fog of this crisis with razor-sharp clarity. She brands Yunus a 'murderer-fascist', accusing him of orchestrating a conspiracy to dismantle Bangladesh's identity through his NCP proxies. Her words are not mere passion but a righteous cry against a regime that has desecrated sacred symbols: Bangabandhu's residence, the Liberation War Museum, the national flag, the anthem, and the Constitution. She points to the NCP's 'March to Gopalganj' as a calculated assault on Bangabandhu's mausoleum in Tungipara, a site she rightly calls the heart of Bengali identity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hasina's assertion that 'Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are one and inseparable' resonates deeply, as does her praise for the people of Gopalganj, who, despite facing tear gas and bullets, stood as guardians of their heritage. The state's response—indiscriminate gunfire on civilians—surpasses, as she puts it, 'medieval barbarity'. The refusal to conduct autopsies or inquests, as admitted by hospital and police officials, reeks of a cover-up, a desperate bid to bury the truth of this bloodshed. Hasina's call for resistance is a rallying cry for a nation under siege by its own government. The international community is sounding the alarm, and rightly so. BHRW, in a scathing letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, accuses the Bangladesh Army of complicity in the Gopalganj crackdown, a charge echoed by a UK-based human rights group. BHRW's claim of 21 deaths underscores the scale of this tragedy, far beyond the government's sanitised narrative. The NCP, derisively (and accurately) called 'the king's party', stands accused of unleashing a reign of terror—vandalising and burning Hindu temples, statues of national heroes, businesses, and public properties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This isn't just violence; it's a systematic campaign to erase Bangladesh's pluralistic identity. BHRW's demand for an independent UN investigation and the deployment of human rights observers is a damning verdict on Yunus's inability to govern. The silence from his administration, refusing to acknowledge the true death toll or address these accusations, only deepens the perception of a regime complicit in chaos. The world is watching, and Yunus's failure to act is a betrayal of the Bangladeshi people and their global allies. What stings most is the betrayal of the shared heritage between India and Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh's birth in 1971, India has been the unwavering friend of its people, standing shoulder-to-shoulder through the Liberation War and beyond, championing the dreams of a free, vibrant nation. The MEA's offer to rebuild Satyajit Ray's ancestral home was a gesture of brotherhood, a plea to preserve a legacy that transcends borders. Yunus's rejection of this olive branch is not just an insult to India but a slap in the face to the Bangladeshi people, who cherish their cultural roots. The destruction of such sites, coupled with the violence in Gopalganj, signals a regime that cares nothing for the shared history that has long united our nations. It's a gut-punch to those of us who see Bengali culture—its art, its heroes, its spirit—as a bridge between two peoples. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is absolutely essential that the Yunus-led interim government take immediate steps to restore Bangladesh's democratic character while safeguarding the rich Bengali heritage that defines the nation and its deep ties with India. The Gopalganj violence, the failure to conduct autopsies, and the move towards demolition of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home are not mere missteps but a profound betrayal of the Bangladeshi people's trust and their shared history with India, a steadfast ally since 1971. The interim regime must heed the international outcry from groups like Bangladesh Human Rights Watch and honour India's plea to preserve cultural landmarks, such as transforming the Mymensingh site into a museum, as a symbol of unity. By prioritising transparent investigations into the Gopalganj deaths, curbing the NCP's violent excesses, and protecting sites like Bangabandhu's mausoleum and Upendrakishore's Kishoreganj home, the Yunus government can begin to rebuild public faith. Only through genuine democratic reforms and a commitment to preserving the pluralistic, cultural soul of Bangladesh can this government redeem itself and honour the aspirations of a people yearning for justice, stability, and preservation of their very identity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Unpacking controversy over alleged demolition of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Bangladesh
There is no consensus on whether a dilapidated building that was being razed in Mymensingh, Bangladesh was the ancestral home of film-maker Satyajit Ray. But coming a month after a mob vandalised the ancestral mansion of poet-polymath Rabindranath Tagore in Sirajganj district in June, the demolition in Mymensingh, first reported in Bangladesh on Tuesday (July 15), was bound to draw a response from New Delhi and stir up controversy in India. Here's a breakdown of all that has happened so far, and why the destruction of a run-down building in Bangladesh has inflamed passions in India. * A day after the demolition began, two leading Bangladesh dailies The Daily Star and Prothom Alo on Tuesday reported the demolition of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh. The Daily Star's report, carried with the headline 'Satyajit Ray's ancestral home being demolished', stated: 'The century-old house, located on Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in Mymensingh, is tied to the legacy of the illustrious Ray family, whose contributions to Bangla literature and arts are considered foundational. Harikishore Ray Chowdhury himself was an ancestor of Upendrakishore, Sukumar, and Satyajit.' It added: 'According to the Department of Archaeology, the house was built over a century ago by Upendrakishore, a zamindar from Masua in Kishoreganj's Katiadi upazila. After the partition of 1947, the property came under government ownership and started housing Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989.' * The news was soon picked up in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee taking to X to criticise the demolition. 'News reports reveal that in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city, the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, the renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, steeped in his memories, is reportedly being demolished. It is said that the demolition work had already begun. This news is extremely distressing,' Mamata posted on X on Tuesday evening. Citing the building's intricate ties to the 'cultural history of Bengal', the West Bengal Chief Minister appealed to 'the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country' to preserve the house, and the Indian government to 'pay attention to this matter'. By this time, the news had spread on Indian social media, triggering outrage across the country. * On the heels of Mamata Banerjee's social media post, New Delhi too released an official statement on Tuesday night. 'Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh. The Government of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose,' said the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. * The public outcry, in India and among a section of the Bangladeshi population, led municipal authorities to halt the demolition in Mymensingh on Wednesday, The Daily Star reported. But the very same day, the interim government in Dhaka issued a statement denying that the house had anything to do with Satyajit Ray and his family. A more comprehensive statement on Thursday from Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Ministry said: 'Detailed inquiry into the archival records re-confirmed that the house in question never had any relation with the ancestors of the esteemed laureate Satyajit Ray. It was built by a local Zamindar Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury, next to his bungalow house 'Shashi Lodge', for his employees. Upon the abolition of the zamindari system, it came under the control of the government. The government later… leased to Shishu Academy on a long term basis.' It added that the Ray family did have a house on Harikishore Ray Road, 'which they had sold long ago… A multi-storied building was constructed there by the new owner', and said that the building that is now being demolished was 'dilapidated, risky and unusable' and 'the abandoned house became a den for unlawful activities by local anti-social elements' after the Shishu Academy moved out about a decade ago. New Delhi responded to media reports coming from Bangladesh, after which Dhaka issued a swift denial. As such, emminent voices on both sides of the border are in disagreement over whether the being demolished used to belong to the Rays. What we know for sure is that the Ray family's ancestral house once stood in the heart of Mymensingh, a city located on the bank of the Brahmaputra, about 120 km to the north of Dhaka. But neither Satyajit nor his son, emminent Bengali film director Sandip Ray, ever seemed to have visited the house themselves. 'I have never been to Bangladesh to see this building. Neither did baba [Satyajit Ray] ever go. I have only heard that it was in Kishoreganj of Mymensingh,' Sandip told The Indian Express. The demolition in question did indeed occur in Mymensingh's Kishoreganj, as per The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. And the road on which the house in question stood — Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road — is named after Satyajit Ray's great-grandfather. (Not having a son of his own, zamindar Harikishore had adopted Upendrakishore, Satyajit's grandfather, when the latter was only five; Upendrakishore was born to a relative, possibly cousin, of Harikishore). The Ray family's presence in Mymensingh can be traced back to the 17th century, when Ramsundar Deb, the earliest-known member of the family, settled in Jashodal. The family later moved to Kishoreganj. Some members of the Ray family remained there till the Partition, although Upendrakishore himself had moved to Calcutta where he graduated from Calcutta Metropolitan Institution (now Vidyasagar College) in 1884. Both Satyajit and his father, Sukumar Ray, were born in Calcutta, and spent their lives in the city. While making a documentary on his father, Satyajit in the 1980s had sent someone to Mymensingh to click pictures of their ancestral home. 'But baba saw those pictures and was disheartened because the buildings were in a dilapidated state. He decided not to use those pictures,' Sandip Ray said. The 70-year-old film-maker could not confirm whether the house being demolished was the Rays' ancestral home. Even if the house being demolished in Mymensingh did not belong to the Rays, the controversy nonetheless points to a larger issue. The new dispensation in Dhaka, which came to power last August on the back of violent protests against then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been wilfully negligible when it comes to protecting important historical and cultural landmarks in the country. Under this dispensation, the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was torched by vandals, and a mob inflicted significant damage to Tagore's house last month. The alleged demolition of Ray's ancestral home is only the latest such development. 'These incidents are very disturbing, unfortunate but not surprising. The recent socio-political condition of Bangladesh is gradually growing distant from our [Bengali] cultural practice… The relation between the two Bengals is deteriorating,' eminent Bengali writer Tilottama Majumder told The Indian Express. While Satyajit was undoubtedly the most famous of all Rays, he was a part of a lineage that changed Bengali literature forever. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury (1863–1915) was a pioneer in children's literature, illustration, and printing. His books such as Tuntunir Boi (1911) and Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne (1915, later adapted to the screen by Satyajit in 1969) are cherished till date for their fantastical stories and artistry. Upendrakishore also founded Sandesh, a children's magazine that entertained and educated in equal measure. And his breakthroughs in half-tone printing brought stories to life in a new visual language, making books accessible for everyone, especially the young. Sukumar Ray (1887–1923), Upendrakishore's son and Satyajit's father, inherited this creative spirit. With works such as Abol Tabol (1923) he introduced a new kind of playful, poetic nonsensical poetry which continues to be read to children even today. Characters such as Kumro Potash and Kath Buro are a part and parcel of the lexicon of many a Bengali household. Sukumar was also active in the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist group that promoted rational thinking and social progress. Sukumar's sister, Lila Majumder (1908-2007), is another eminent figure in Bengali children's remained a contributor to Sandesh till her last breath, and an incomplete bibliography credits her with a total of 125 books. Satyajit Ray (1921–1992) was born in Calcutta. He continued his family's literary tradition, although he is more known for his film-making outside Bengal. His critically acclaimed filmography won him an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1992, days before his passing.
India Today
6 days ago
- General
- India Today
Satyajit Ray's ‘ancestral home' that wasn't? What Bangladesh said on row
The Bangladesh government has categorically denied allegations that legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh city has been demolished, asserting that the structure in question has no connection whatsoever to the Ray a media statement issued by the Bangladesh ministry of foreign affairs, the government stated that a detailed review of archival and land records confirmed that the house being demolished was originally built by a local zamindar, Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury, and not by Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, the grandfather of Satyajit Ray and a renowned author and inquiry into the archival records reconfirmed that the house in question had never had any relation with the ancestors of the esteemed laureate Satyajit Ray,' the statement structure, located in Mymensingh district, had for decades served as the office of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy. According to the government, after abolition of the zamindari system, the land on which the house stands came under state control and was later leased on a long-term basis to the academy. The land itself is officially recorded as non-agricultural government (khas) land. The government statement said local authorities had conducted a meticulous review of historical records and found no connection between the Ray family and the property. 'The district authorities have reviewed the land records related to the house and confirmed that the land belongs to the government and has no association with the Ray family whatsoever,' it said.'Local senior citizens and respected individuals from various communities also attested that there is no known historical connection between the Ray family and the house and land currently leased to the Shishu Academy. The house is not listed as an archaeological monument, either,' said the government further clarified that while the Ray family did indeed own a home in Mymensingh, it was located on Harikishore Ray Road, a street named after Satyajit Ray's great-grandfather and the adoptive parent of Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury. However, that house was sold by the family long ago and no longer exists. A modern multi-storey building now occupies the controversy had erupted after media reports in both Bangladesh and India claimed that a century-old house once belonging to the Ray family, apparently built by Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, was being demolished by the authorities in Mymensingh. The reports quickly went viral on social media, drawing condemnation from admirers of Ray and sparking concerns over the erasure of shared cultural in Mymensingh, however, swiftly moved to refute those claims. According to the media statement, the structure now being razed had been lying abandoned since 2014, when the Shishu Academy relocated to a rented facility elsewhere in the city. Over time, the site reportedly became a den for unlawful activities involving 'local anti-social elements', prompting district authorities to draw up plans for constructing a new semi-permanent early 2025, the Shishu Academy formally requested permission to dismantle the dilapidated structure. Following due process and an open public auction, the district administration approved the demolition. A public notification regarding the removal of the building was widely circulated through national and local newspapers on March 7, the statement response to the recent public outcry, the deputy commissioner of Mymensingh convened a high-level meeting on July 16, which included senior citizens, journalists, authors and community members. During the discussion, several local intellectuals expressed strong support for the government's position and reiterated that the house in question had no association with Satyajit Ray or his writer Kangal Shahin, speaking at the meeting, emphasised that the building under the Shishu Academy's authority 'does not belong to Hari Kishore Ray or Satyajit Ray'. Civil society member Professor Bimal Kanti Dey echoed noted that a longstanding misconception had existed about the structure being tied to the Ray poet and writer Farid Ahmed Dulal also testified that 'the house has no connection with Satyajit Ray or his family'. All participants at the meeting reportedly supported the construction of a new building for the Shishu Academy, citing the importance of educational infrastructure for the children of Dhar, an archaeologist based in Mymensingh, independently verified the government's position, stating: 'The house in question is not the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray.'In a firm closing statement, the ministry of foreign affairs urged the media and the public to act responsibly and refrain from spreading unverified or misleading claims. 'Drawing on the factual and meticulous re-examination of all records, the government of Bangladesh urges all quarters to refrain from spreading misleading or factually inaccurate narrative, in any form, that ends up creating confusion and disrupts harmony,' the statement Ray, the iconic filmmaker, author and artist, remains an unparalleled cultural figure whose legacy is deeply revered across the subcontinent. A recipient of India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, and an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, Ray's influence on global cinema and Bengali literature continues to inspire generations. But as the Bangladesh government now insists, the building currently being dismantled in Mymensingh is not part of that legacy, and that efforts to preserve history must be guided by facts, not to India Today Magazine- Ends
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Two leaders met in the bathroom to stop Pakistan from dividing, why was there a need to create Bangladesh?
Two leaders met in the bathroom to stop Pakistan from dividing, why was there a need to create Bangladesh? Violence has erupted once again in our neighbouring country Bangladesh. People have come out on the streets. The ancestral house of India's great filmmaker Satyajit Ray was also vandalised. Last year too, riots started in Bangladesh in July which soon turned into severe violence. Due to which Sheikh Hasina not only had to leave the post of PM, but also had to leave the country to save her life and had to take refuge in India. Did you know Dhaka Television had clearly refused to play the Pakistani national anthem? That is when the Pak Army considered the Awami League a separatist organization. In fact, on March 23, 'Lahore Resolution Day' was being celebrated, the idea of an independent Muslim country was announced for the first time. However, this time the scene is a little different from the last time, this time there are clashes between the workers of two parties. On the other hand, after the Pakistani army and intelligence agency, now Pakistani terrorist groups have also entered Bangladesh. In such a situation, should it be believed that Bangladesh is once again on the path of becoming Pakistan? Why there was a need to create Bangladesh, what was going on in Pakistan a few months before the creation of Bangladesh? Why did Bangladesh become a separate country? When India got independence from the British in 1947, it was divided into two parts. On the basis of religion, a new country Pakistan was created on the map. The newly-formed nation Pakistan was divided into eastern and western provinces. People of East Pakistan spoke Bengali. Women wore colorful saris. On the contrary, Urdu and Punjabi were dominant in West Pakistan. There was a culture of burqa and hijab. 55 percent of Pakistan's population lived in East Pakistan and 45 percent in West Pakistan. Out of the total 313 seats in the Parliament of Pakistan i.e. the National Assembly, 169 were in East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) and 144 in West Pakistan (present Pakistan). Despite this, 80 percent of the budget was spent on only 45 percent of the people. That is, it was spent on West Pakistan. The leaders who ran the government were also from the West and they considered the people of East Pakistan as second class citizens and for the Pak Army they were nothing more than insects. When the people of East Pakistan raised their voice against inequality and economic discrimination, the Pak Army suppressed their voice. Abusive words were used against East Pakistanis. They were considered weak and inferior. If they went to the police to tell their plight, the police also blamed them. In 1952, there was a movement in Pakistan regarding the Bengali language, in which many students lost their lives. This was just the beginning. Why did Bangabandhu file a case? Sheikh Mujibur Rahman alias 'Bangabandhu', the head of East Pakistan's political party Awami League, raised his voice against political inequality and economic discrimination towards his province. After the Indo-Pak war of 1965, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said in Lahore, 'Provincial autonomy is also necessary to bring uniformity in the economic development of both the provinces.' This suggestion of Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not only ignored, but a case was lodged against him in 1968 under the 'Agartala Conspiracy'. It was alleged that he was conspiring with India to break East Pakistan. 1970 elections added fuel to the fire of Partition Neither the government considered the East Pakistanis important nor the administration listened to them. The people were growing angry with the attitude of the people in the government and the misbehavior of the police and the army. While demanding their rights, the East Pakistanis started demanding an independent nation. The general elections held in December 1970 added fuel to the fire of partition in Pakistan. Before the 1970 general elections, Pakistan was under President's rule and dictator General Yahya Khan was the President. In the general elections, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League had fielded candidates on 169 seats including East Pakistan, out of which it won 167 seats, while the Pakistan People's Party won only 81 seats out of 138 seats in West Pakistan. The majority figure to form a government in Pakistan was 157 seats. Sheikh Mujiburahman had the majority to form the government, but the leaders of West Pakistan did not want Bengalis to rule them. Pakistan's military dictator General Yahya Khan refused to make Sheikh Mujiburahman the Prime Minister. On March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujiburahman gave a historic speech at the Race Course Ground in Dhaka. He declared East Pakistan independent and named the country Bangladesh. 'Let western leaders form the government', the conversation that took place in bathroom After this, on March 15, 1971, when Yahya Khan reached Dhaka to talk about the transfer of power, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came to meet him in a white car. There was also a black flag on the car. When Yahya Khan took Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the drawing room of the Government House for talks, Sheikh protested. John Sisson and Leo Rose, while referring to this meeting in their book 'War and Secession: Pakistan, India and Creation of Bangladesh', wrote- Sheikh Mujiburahman wanted to talk in private. Yahya Khan ordered two chairs to be placed in the bathroom. After this, the talks to save Pakistan started in the bathroom. The talks lasted for about two and a half hours. On 19 March, Yahya invited Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party, to Dhaka to join the talks. Once again the three – Sheikh, Yahya and Bhutto – met. Yahya tried to mediate between Bhutto and Sheikh, but the two were not on speaking terms. Then Yahya joked to lighten the atmosphere and said- 'You both are behaving like a newly married couple.' Yahya held their hands and asked them to talk, then Bhutto and Sheikh Mujibur started talking to each other. After this discussion, it was agreed that Bangladesh would exist within a united Pakistan, but on 23 March, all plans were ruined. In fact, on 23 March, 'Lahore Resolution Day' was being celebrated all over Pakistan. On this day in 1940, the idea of an independent Muslim country was announced for the first time. On 3 December 1971, Indian soldiers jumped into the battlefield to stop the brutality of the Pakistani army. The war between India and Pakistan took place on all three fronts. Within 13 days, the Pakistani army had to surrender. In this war, more than 93 thousand Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian army and a new nation was born in the form of Bangladesh.
