Dr. Atiur Rahman:

Prison notes, written in an isolated and gloomy environment, can be touching reflections of deeper human emotions. High-profile political prisoners like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who usually had very little time to give to their families, found it extremely difficult to cope with the loneliness. They missed their near ones so deeply that words of anguish and emotions would spontaneously pour into the pages of their notebooks. We have noted the pains and heartaches of ‘detained’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in earlier pieces of this column as well. Those human stories clearly left a mark in the minds of our readers. Here is another such a piece.

While writing about his youngest son who was only eighteen months old then, he became emotional after seeing him in the jail office. In his own words, “I saw from a distance that, he started shouting “Daddy, Daddy” on seeing me. A truck full of supplies was coming through the jail gate then. I caressed him through the window. Once I went in, Russel hugged me and started to laugh holding on to my neck. Everyone said that he had been staring at the window till I came into view, saying “This is my father’s house.” This is what he believes is his father’s home! I always have to resort to a trick with him when it is time for me to leave. My youngest daughter has only one plea: could she stay with me?” (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The Prison Diaries, Bangla Academy, second Reprint, 2019, p. 86). One can complement this experience of his personal predicament with another incident when his eldest son Sheikh Kamal could not even recognise him when he was released from prison in 1952. He asked his eldest sister Sheikh Hasina whether he could call her Abba his Abba as well (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The Unfinished Memoirs, UPL, fourth impression, 2019, p. 208). Sheikh Mujib expressed sadness about the other political prisoners and their families as well. At the end of 15th June’s diary entry, he wrote that he felt depressed on the days his family visited him (ibid., p. 88).

Sheikh Mujib covered a range of subjects in his prison notes. He was worried about Toffazal Hossain’s arrest. He praised ‘Manik Bhai’s political writings and was saddened that he would not be able to read them again as the publication of Ittefaq had been discontinued. He was also worried about the living conditions of his colleagues who too were detained in the same jail. He wrote, “I can’t even imagine how Manik Bhai and our colleagues survive in Cell 10. The cell has a low ceiling and does not have windows; it has only one door but that too is blocked by a high wall. Apparently, orders are issued by higher-ups about who is to be placed where. The jail authorities have no say here. I objected though. I have no problems if they don’t let them be close to me, but they should be kept where they can live like human beings. I am tired of repeatedly telling the jail authorities this.” (The Prison Diaries, p. 91). On 18th June, he had met some colleagues near the hospital door. However, he was unable to speak to them as there were orders to not let prisoners talk to each other and he did not want the sepoy to get into trouble (ibid., p.99). Some security prisoners from another cell sent Sheikh Mujib some Rajanigandha (Polianthes Tuberose) flowers. He appreciated the gift a lot and wrote that it was invaluable to him.

As he was a people’s man, Mujib stayed updated on the flood situation in the eastern wing of Pakistan and worried about the people affected by the floods. He also criticised the government’s approach towards East Pakistan. He anticipated that “There will be floods all over East Bengal this year again. It seems Sylhet has already been devastated. There will also be floods in Mymensingh, Faridpur, Bogra, Rangpur, and Pabna. Dhaka will not be spared either. I keep thinking about what fate has in store for the people of East Bengal. On top of all that, the government is going to impose on them the burden of more taxes.” (The Prison Diaries, p. 91).

Sheikh Mujib also took notice of the small things during his solitary confinement. He remembered two yellow birds that he had seen when he was imprisoned between 1958 and 59. He felt sad that he was not able to see them again and kept watch for them in case they showed up (ibid., p.95). He would walk around with the baby pigeon that his cook had been raising (ibid., p.83). He also noticed how the pigeon would follow the hen around in his garden. He wrote, “My hen and its two chicks wander happily all over the garden and feed on the insects there. The little pigeon hangs around the hen all day. The chicks peck at it but the hen doesn’t stop them. But if a crow tries to attack the little bird, the rooster will chase it away. They stay together in the kitchen at night. They all have developed a deep friendship. Staying together has led to love for each other. But human beings often betray their friends. Animals are never unfaithful though. That’s why I sometimes think animals are better than humans in, at least, one way.” (ibid., p.113).

That kindness was inbuilt in Bangabandhu can be well understood from his compassion towards those around him – from his cleaner to other ordinary prisoners. He had told his cook to save some items every day and then cook a little more one day so that it can be shared with others too. The four prison mates that were always with Mujib got a share of every meal that was cooked for him. Mujib always wanted to share his food with those who were around him. He wrote, “How can I have my food without sharing it with them? I’d rather not eat then; I won’t be able to take my food without sharing it with them.” (The Prison Diaries, p. 111). He was very unhappy with the jail regulations that said that those people, who stayed with him, cooked food for him, cleaned his room and washed his clothes, could not take their meals with him. Their food came from outside, meaning government kitchen. They only got what they were allotted. This was the level of his compassion for the ordinary jail mates. This clearly reflects kindness as the core element of his compassionate leadership.

One can surely relate his kindness as a strong characteristic of leadership. This is also supported by Professor Boris Groysberg of Harvard Business School when he writes on ‘Good Leadership is an Act of Kindness’. (‘Working Knowledge’, 01 November 2020.) He believes that “a powerful, fundamental leadership strategy is being largely overlooked. It is, in fact, the most innately humane one: Be Kind.” (ibid)

No doubt, he has been affectionately adored as Bangabandhu (the friend of Bengal) who always cared for the ordinary people of his land. And his long-lasting legacy lives on.

The author is Bangabandhu Chair Professor at Dhaka University and former Governor, Bangladesh Bank. He can be reached at dratiur@gmail.com