Agartala Conspiracy Case and the Emergence of Bangladesh
Abstract
The Agartala Conspiracy was developed prior to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
This study explains the historical placement, key characters, primary causes, and consequences of
the conspiracy. The study aims to explain why the Agartala Conspiracy Case was developed, along
with the development of “State vs Sheikh Mujib” and how it led to the emergence of Bangladesh
and its formation as an independent nation. This report highlights the intricate political structure
of Pakistan under the dictatorship of General Ayub Khan and his strategies for pushing this case
forward. We also learn about the position of East Pakistan, the struggles of its leader, Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, along with so many others, and finally we see the significance of the conspiracy
in kindling the Bengali nationalist movement that ultimately gave rise to Bangladesh.
Agartala Conspiracy Case and the Emergence of Bangladesh
The Agartala Conspiracy Case was a case which stated that East Pakistan, under the
leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the then Awami League Party chief, along with some inservice and ex-service army personnel and high government officials, had formally abandoned
themselves from the East Wing of Pakistan with the help of the Indian government. A series of
events that unfolded in Agartala, a city in present-day India, circa 1968. It played a pivotal role in
galvanizing the struggle for independence in East Pakistan, which eventually resulted in the
emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation. This report aims to examine the Agartala
Conspiracy and its profound impact on the political landscape of the region.
After the partition of India in 1947, East Pakistan, with its predominantly Bengali
population, became a part of Pakistan. However, the political and cultural differences between
East and West Pakistan created tensions, leading to a growing sense of disillusionment among
Bengalis. The Agartala Conspiracy is a gradual aftermath of that. The creation of Pakistan was not
a smooth one. Nine years of constitution-making led to just two years of action. In 1958, General
Ayub Khan seized the presidential position after former president Iskander Mirza abrogated the
constitution and placed General Ayub Khan as the chief martial law administrator. Desk, O. W.
(2023). How Pakistan’s Military Dictated The Country Over The Years. Ayub Khan went on to
rule for a whole decade, 1958–1968. His regime attempted to bring economic development to the
nation. Although the regime made advancements, it also brought problems and an intensified eastwest conflict. The demand for autonomy in the east was revived, and Ayub Khan’s grip on power
kept sliding off. Myrdal, G. (1968). Asian Drama.
The charismatic Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of the Awami League, activated the ‘SixPoint Program" with full force. The singular purpose of it was to achieve autonomy for East
Pakistan. Rahman. A. (2020). The Agartala Conspiracy Case Bangabandhu: The People’s
Protagonist, 41
The six points were:
1) A legislative system with direct elections under the one-person, one-vote principle
2) Two separate reserve banks and currencies for the two wings of Pakistan
3) All issues other than defense and foreign policy will be dealt with by the federal provinces.
4) A paramilitary force for East Pakistan
5) Taxation, resource allocation, and such fiscal affairs will be the state's responsibility.
6) The two wings will separately handle monetary and trade policies, such as foreign reserve
maintenance and establishing trade links. All you need to know about the Six-Point Movement in
East Pakistan - Centre for Research and Information. (2022).
Soon after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, the demand for autonomy with these six points
was brought forward with the help of a group of Bengali military officers known as the Swadhin
Bangla Biplobi Parishad (SBBS). Ayub Khan’s government tried to turn the story around by making
allegations against this movement. Mentioning this was just a distraction for the secession of East
Pakistan. The "secessionist conspiracy" (as named by Ayub Khan’s government) is trying to frame
Mujib as a traitor in East Pakistan. This cheap shot backfired, as through this, Sheikh Mujib gained
popularity, as did the Six Points in East Pakistan. The intimidation got to Ayub Khan and his
government, and as a result, Sheikh Mujib was arrested in May 1966.Bokhari, H. (2021). The
Agartala conspiracy and the resultant deification of Sheikh Mujib in East Pakistan. Global Village
Space.
The alleged assumption that this movement was aimed at tilting Pakistan off balance led
to the development of the conspiracy, and other factors like Mujib’s scheme proving Ayub’s failure
and the kidnapping attempt on Ayub leaving him vulnerable played important driving factors into
turning the state against Mujib. Chowdhury, G.W. (1974). The last days of united Pakistan. The
Fall of Ayub. p.22.
The Agartala Conspiracy Case became the talk of the town after it was publicly announced
on January 7, 1968. Arresting the ‘criminals’ had already begun in the late 1967s. The case truly
developed after Mujib’s implication in it, which happened after a few days. Mujib was still in jail
as per the 1966 arrest. Chowdhury, G.W. (1974). The last days of united Pakistan. The Fall of
Ayub. p.22.
Sheikh Mujib was released from jail only to be arrested later under court martial law; he
was brought immediately to Dhaka Cantonment. Along with him, 34 others were arrested under
Ayub Khan’s hand-picked tribunal. These people were:
Ahmed Fazlur Rahman CSP, Commander Moazzem Hossain, Steward Mujibur Rahman,
former LS Sultanuddin Ahmad, LSCDI Nur Mohammad, light Sergeant Mahfiz Ullah, Corporal
Abdus Samad, former Havildar Dalil Uddin, Ruhul Quddus CSP, Flight Sergeant Md. Fazlul Haq,
Bibhuti Bhushan Chowdhury alias Manik Chowdhury, Bidhan Krishna Sen, Subedar Abdur
Razzaque, former clerk Mujibur Rahman, former Flight Sergeant Md. Abdur Razzaque,
Sergeant Zahurul Haq, A.B. Khurshid, Khan Mohammad Shamsur Rahman CSP, AKM Shamsul
Haque, Havildar Azizul Haq, Mahfuzul Bari, Sergeant Shamsul Haq, Shamsul Alam, Captain Md.
Abdul Motaleb, Captain A. Shawkat Ali Mian, Captain Khondkar Nazmul Huda, Captain A.N.M
Nuruzzaman, Sergeant Abdul Jalil, Mahbub Uddin Chowdhury, Lt. M Rahman, former Subedar
Tajul Islam, Ali Reza, Captain Khurshid Uddeen Ahmed, and Lt. Abdur Rauf.
The case hearing started on June 19, 1968, under sections 121-A and 131. The charge sheet
consisted of 100 paragraphs. 227 witnesses and 7 approvers were at the tribunal where the sheet
was presented. Three judges—the chair, Justice SA Rahman, MR Khan, and Maksumul Hakim—
were in charge of the tribunal. The Attorney General, TH Khan, and former Foreign Minister
Manzur Quader represented the government. A British lawyer by the name of Thomas Williams,
along with local attorneys, voiced their opposition to the formation of the tribunal by filing a
petition in favor of Sheikh Mujib. Eventually, the approvers testified, admitting Their false
evidence that they provided under the coercion of the state Among the arrested were Sergeant
Zahurul Haq and Flight Sergeant Fazlul Haq. On the morning of February 15, 1969, a Pakistani
habildar shot Sergeant Zahurul Haq at his cell. This news incident had fueled the fire amongst the
East Pakistanis, establishing a huge turning point in the whole conspiracy fiasco. Ahsan, S.B.
(2007). February 1969: Revisiting the Agartala Conspiracy Case. FORUM. The Daily Star.
This killing was a clear indication of how Ayub Khan wanted mass movements against the
East Pakistan government. The oppressive policies were no longer tolerated as students of Dhaka
University deserted the classrooms and set out to march for the resignation of Ayub Khan,
furthering the Ayub movement. Fire was set on the rest house, forcing Justice SA Rahman, and
Foreign Minister Manzur Quader to flee secretly. Mujib’s freedom was demanded with animosity.
A Roundtable Conference was to be arranged by the newly formed Democratic Action
Committee in Rawalpindi. The Awami League denied any proposal to be a part of it unless
unconditional release was given to Mujib and others, dropping the case entirely. The Awami
League being the strongest component of the committee, Ayub Khan offered Mujib the
opportunity to attend the conference while on parole. This offer, however, was denied too. A
prominent politician, Maulana Bhashani, rejected this offer as well. The case was in shambles. The
protests kept growing. Brave students defied Section 144 and kept pushing their slogans to free
Mujib. Many lost their lives to police shootings. The mass movement of the ‘Bangalis’ resulted in
the unconditional withdrawal of the case and the release of the arrested. February 22, 1969 On the
23rd, Sheikh Mujib, with his new title ‘Bangabandhu," was welcomed with flying colors in the
race course field amongst thousands.
The aftermath of this was the end of Ayub’s dictatorship. The case and its downfall gave
birth to stronger Bengali nationalism. Through the celebrations of pride, culture, and heritage, the
1970s elections had arrived. The Awami League, with more love and support form locals than ever
dominated the elections in the Pakistani parliament. However, more peril was yet to come. The
president of Pakistan, Yahya Khan, and West Pakistani politician Zulfikar Ali Bhutto opposed the
formation of the government by Mujib, and another series of hostilities began. Mujib was arrested
again on the night of March 25, 1971. Before that, he laid out his clear instructions and request to
the people of Bangladesh to fight for independence. The liberation war had broken down. The
‘Bangalis’ did not disappoint Mujib as the independent state of Bangladesh was declared by the
Awami League’s government-in-exile Mujibnagar, and Bengali nationalists formed the Mukti
Bahini guerrilla force to fend off the Pakistanis. A long period of war and violence until December
16 resulted in the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent state. M.Ahmed, (1983). Era of
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, University Press.
The emergence of Bangladesh was a series of struggles, violence, and bravery. The
Agartala Conspiracy to trap Mujib into being framed as an anti-government individual and an
agent of the Indians backfires as the people of East Pakistan start realizing Ayub’s actual intention.
The arrest of Mujib and many others, followed by the killings of some prominent arrested
individuals, enrages the Bengali people to a tipping point where they start to rebel beyond their
own safety. Their blood, sweat, and tears resulted in an independent Bangladesh. This case allows
us to understand the level of hunger people reach for power; we see it through the series of actions
carried out by Ayub Khan and his government. It also allows us to understand devotion and effort
for cause. We see Sheikh Mujib’s struggles one after another and how his efforts for the cause and
the support of thousands known and unknown resulted in triumph. The birth of a nation with
history and heritage to be proud of forever.
References
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