November 75: Analyzing Khaled Mosharraf's political maneuvers

The turbulent political events of November 1975 bear a resemblance to the shifts of 2024. After the coup led by Khaled Mosharraf on the night of November 3, there was no government in Bangladesh until November 7. Similarly, in 2024, after Sheikh Hasina's fall, there were also periods when three days were in a vacuum. Regardless of the interpretations, November 1975 stands as a murky, blood-soaked chapter in Bangladesh's politics. The discourse surrounding these events is rife with conflicting claims and accusations. Nearly 50 years later, political parties commemorate or celebrate this day in their own ways. For some, it is a lament for an unfinished revolution; for others, it signifies a day of revolution and unity, while for some, it is a day of mourning for the martyrs of the Liberation War.

From 2009 to 2024, this day has been observed in a different context at the state and political levels. During this period, the narrative of the Awami League and the JASAD (National Socialist Party) was strongly established in the media and state apparatus. It is certain that in 2024, the day will be commemorated or observed in a new light. New discussions, new information, new equations, and new interpretations will emerge. Before diving into those discussions, let’s attempt to objectively understand what transpired during those few days.

Khaled Mosharraf, Shafayet Jamil, Huda, and Haider:
Since the assassination of Bangladesh's first President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on August 15, 1975, a vacuum and chaos have prevailed in the country's political arena. There was factionalism, instability, and resentment within the military as well. The officers of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Bengal Regiments in Dhaka, particularly Major Faruk, Rashid, and their associates, created unrest by disregarding military authority. To restore the chain of command in the army, the then Brigadier Commander of Dhaka, Colonel Shafayet Jamil, was eager to act. He was extremely irritated and angry with Faruk and Rashid, who were positioned at Bangabhaban. His anger was justified, as the officers and soldiers under his command had participated in the assassination of the president and his family, disregarding his command. Therefore, Shafayet Jamil was in favor of taking swift action against them. He had approached the then Army Chief, General Ziaur Rahman, with this objective, but Zia favored waiting longer. He then turned to the then Chief of General Staff, Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf, who agreed to take action. Shafayet Jamil also gained the support of Colonel Huda, who was stationed in Rangpur, to deal with Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and the August 15 rebels. Additionally, Captain Hafizullah (BNP leader Major Hafiz) from the Dhaka Brigade played a significant role in this effort. Coincidentally, Major Haider, who had trained guerrilla fighters in Dhaka during the 1971 liberation war, also became involved in this endeavor.

1st Bengal's Departure from Bangabhaban, MIG fighters in the sky, and a bloodless coup:
According to Colonel Shafayet Jamil, one of the main architects of the coup, their operation began at three in the morning on November 3. At that time, two companies of the 1st Bengal Regiment, which were responsible for the security of the rebel military officers and President Mostaq at Bangabhaban, returned to the cantonment. Captain Hafizullah went to the residence of Army Chief Ziaur Rahman and took him into protective custody, cutting off the phone lines to his house. The initial success of Khaled and Shafayet's coup was primarily due to the involvement of the Air Force. In the early morning, Air Force pilots flew fighter jets and helicopters over Bangabhaban, creating an atmosphere of fear that compelled Mostaq and the others—Faruk and Rashid—to agree to relinquish power. The residents of Dhaka had previously witnessed fighter jets flying in the sky during the final battles of December 1971.

Although many have claimed that the efforts of November 3 were an attempt to change power with the intervention of neighboring countries, the coup's planner, Shafayet Jamil, outlined several objectives for this endeavor. In his book Roktakto Modhyo-August O Shorjontromoy November, he stated that the aims of the operation were:

To restore the chain of command in the army,

to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the rebellion and assassination of August 15,

to remove the unconstitutional and illegal government, to conduct national elections within six months through an interim government formed under a neutral individual, transferring state power

to an elected government by the people. However, various parties, particularly the JASAD, do not agree with Shafayet Jamil's claims regarding these objectives.

Brutal assassination of four national leaders inside the prison:
Khaled Mosharraf took a lot of time to take full control of the situation after the coup. Besides, he could not show firmness in consolidating power. Lobbying continued at Bangabhaban. At one point, Faruk and Rashid wanted assurances of leaving the country safely. On the other hand, on the night of November 3, four national leaders were brutally murdered inside the prison. As far as is known, these four main organizers of the great liberation war, Tajuddin Ahmad, Syed Nazrul Islam, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman. At that time IG Prisons N Nuruzzaman, around 3 am on November 2 (beginning of November 3), he received several telephone calls from Bangabhaban which mentioned Captain Moslem. Instructions were given that he should be taken to the jail office and four national leaders be shown. Then Nuruzzaman talks to President Khondaker Mostaq. He instructed the execution of orders. After some time Captain Moslem arrived at Jailgate with four soldiers. After that, under constant instructions and pressure from Bangabhaban the four national leaders were brought to a room. They were shot dead shortly after. The killers confirmed the death of the four national leaders by bayonet charge. Meanwhile, Faruk-Rashid's team left for Thailand on the night of November 3 after the day-long lobbying. And as far as is known, Khaled Mosharraf and other coup army leaders got to know the news of this assassination on the morning of November 4.

A mourning procession and others:
On November 4, following Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf's coup on November 3, a pre-scheduled mourning rally was held in Dhaka. Historical records indicate that the rally was organized by the leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU). At that time, DUCSU leaders, especially President Mujahidul Islam Selim and his colleagues, along with the organization's General Secretary, played significant roles. Leaders of the Student Union also participated in the rally, which saw countless men and women from the city joining in. Additionally, Khaled Mosharraf's mother and brother were present at this mourning procession. Many ordinary students from Dhaka University also took part.

Regarding this procession, poet Nirmalendu Goon wrote in his book Rokto Jhara November 1975, "I learned that the procession came to pay tribute at Bangabandhu's residence. This is a significant event. The students of Dhaka University organized this procession. The struggling student community, formed by the coordination of the Bangladesh Student League and the Bangladesh Student Union, organized this rally to commemorate the memory of Bangabandhu." The procession included Members of Parliament Mohiuddin Ahmed, Shamsuddin Mollah, Rashed Mosharraf, the late Khondaker Mohammad Elias, Mohammad Mohsin Montu, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Ismat Kadir Gama, and Khaled Mosharraf’s elderly mother, among others.

Prominent individuals were invited to join the mourning procession, including poet Sufia Kamal, poet Jashim Uddin, and renowned painter Zainul Abedin, among others. Due to illness, poet Sufia Kamal could not participate, and the reasons for the absence of the others remain unknown to this day.

The historic mourning rally and the role of Mujahidul Islam Selim
The historic mourning rally was significantly organized by DUCSU President Mujahidul Islam Selim. On the morning of August 15, 2018, the author spoke with him about the organization of the rally and related events. Mujahidul Islam Selim mentioned that preparations for the mourning procession had been ongoing for a long time. The plan was to hold a mourning rally for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman immediately after the reopening of Dhaka University. Initially, the rally was scheduled for October 28, but due to a lack of preparation, it was postponed to November 4. The events of Khaled Mosharraf's coup on November 3 were not related to this date.

Regarding the permissions for the mourning rally and notifications to various individuals, different people have presented various pieces of information. When this was pointed out to Mujahidul Islam Selim, he noted that veteran politicians Manzurul Ahsan Khan and Rashed Mosharraf (then a Member of Parliament and Khaled Mosharraf’s brother) were residents of the same area. On the morning of November 4, Manzurul Ahsan Khan called Rashed Mosharraf from his residence in Chameli Bagh to inquire about the political situation. At that time, Rashed informed him that his brother Khaled was present. Subsequently, Khaled Mosharraf spoke with Manzurul Ahsan Khan while Mujahidul Islam Selim was by Khan's side. During their conversation, Mujahidul Islam Selim informed Khaled about the pre-scheduled mourning rally on November 4. Khaled replied, "My boys will not obstruct you." Mujahidul Islam Selim then invited him to join the rally, to which Khaled humorously responded that he would not be able to, but his mother would be there.

The procession then took place. To gather more information about the event, veteran politician Mujahidul Islam Selim explained that the rally started from two lines at Dhaka University. It encountered obstacles at Nilkhet but moved forward, overcoming all barriers. Upon reaching Dhanmondi 32, they paid tribute to the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and a cleric offered prayers. Although it was a modest mourning rally, its impact was significant, as it facilitated portraying Khaled Mosharraf as either a loyalist of India or a supporter of Mujib.

Mostaq's resignation and Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as President
Despite the coup led by Khaled Mosharraf, Khondaker Mostaq was reluctant to resign from the presidency. However, he agreed to relinquish power on November 5, but only on the condition that a new successor would be determined. Following this, Shafayet Jamil approached Bangladesh's first Chief Justice, Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, with a proposal to become the president. Initially, Sayem was unwilling to accept the position, but after lengthy discussions and pressure, he eventually agreed. On November 6, Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem was sworn in as president.

During this time, he formed an advisory council consisting of Army Chief Ziaur Rahman, Air Force Chief Muhammad Golam Tawab, Navy Chief Mosharraf Hossain Khan, academic Abul Fazal, Kazi Anwarul Haque, Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Mirza Nurul Huda, Abdus Sattar, Mohammad Ibrahim, and Binita Roy. However, within 24 hours of taking the oath as president, a new shift in power began, marked by bloodshed.

Author: Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University