November 3, 1975, is a deeply tragic, infamous, and significant day in the history of Bangladesh. Inside the secure state facility of Dhaka Central Jail, the four national leaders who led the great Liberation War of 1971 were brutally murdered. This was not merely the assassination of four political leaders; rather, it was a terrifying blow to the independence of Bangladesh, the spirit of the Liberation War, the democratic development of the state, and the continuity of wartime leadership.

Every year, November 3 brings forth a crucial question: why did those who risked their lives to lead the nation to freedom have to lose their lives within the supposed safe shelter of a prison on the soil of independent Bangladesh? And half a century after that assassination, has today's Bangladesh learned enough from those harsh lessons of history?

Leadership of the Liberation War and the Contribution of the Four National Leaders

When the Pakistani occupation forces launched a genocide against the unarmed Bengali people on March 25, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence and was arrested by the Pakistani forces. In his absence, the four national leaders shouldered the heavy responsibility of political and organizational leadership for the Liberation War.

They were: 1. Syed Nazrul Islam — Acting President of Bangladesh. 2. Tajuddin Ahmad — Prime Minister, Mujibnagar Government. 3. Captain M. Mansur Ali — Minister of Finance. 4. A. H. M. Kamaruzzaman — Minister of Home, Relief, and Rehabilitation.

Formed on April 10, 1971, the Mujibnagar Government took its oath on April 17. Under the leadership of this administration, the Liberation War gained a well-organized political, military, and diplomatic framework. The contribution of these four leaders was immense in building international public opinion, organizing freedom fighters, addressing the refugee crisis, and rallying global support in favor of an independent Bangladesh.

Although Bangabandhu was imprisoned in Pakistan, they conducted the Liberation War by upholding his ideals, political philosophy, and aspirations for independence. Their leadership will remain forever memorable in the history of achieving Bangladesh's independence.

Political Shift After August 15 and the Assassination of November 3

The brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975, marked the beginning of a profound crisis in Bangladesh's political history. In the wake of subsequent political shifts, the four national leaders were arrested and confined within Dhaka Central Jail.

In the early hours of November 3, a group of armed individuals entered the jail premises and opened fire on them. Historical accounts indicate that several leaders were still alive even after being shot. Their deaths were ensured by bayonet stabs.

The prison, which was meant to be a symbol of safety and security for inmates, transformed into a killing field for national leadership.

The political and historical significance of this assassination is profound. Following the killing of Bangabandhu, the remaining crucial pillars of wartime leadership were also eliminated. Consequently, Bangladesh's state power, political leadership, and the ideological continuity of the Liberation War suffered a massive blow.

Contemporary Bangladesh: The Question of Preventing History from Repeating Itself

Fifty-one years after the assassination of November 3, 1975, Bangladesh's political reality is once again navigating various transitions. Following the mass uprising of July-August 2024, the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the assumption of power by the interim government, and the national parliamentary election held on February 12, 2026, Bangladesh has entered a new political chapter.

Through the recent election, the BNP-led government has come to power, creating a new political reality in parliamentary politics. Simultaneously, fresh discussions have emerged regarding the positions of political parties, political rights, human rights, the rule of law, and the neutrality of state institutions.

One of the primary expectations of the people behind the 2024 mass uprising was to establish accountability in governance, halt corruption and the abuse of power, ensure judicial independence, and reinstate citizens' rights.

However, a change in government does not automatically alter a nation's political culture. If changes in power are accompanied by the politics of vengeance, suppression of political opponents, false or harassing lawsuits, extrajudicial behaviors, and the tendency for mobs to take the law into their own hands, the expected development of a democratic state system will be hindered.

In recent times, issues of political violence, mob violence, the security of religious and minority communities, and allegations of citizen harassment based on political identity have also come into discussion. International human rights organizations have expressed concern over these matters. A fundamental principle must be kept in mind here: if any individual or group committed crimes while in power in the past, they must face trial. However, that trial must be conducted through impartial investigation, acceptable evidence, and an independent court. Political identity can never be the sole proof of a crime. Likewise, no one should be deprived of legal protection because of their political identity.

The event of November 3, 1975, teaches us that when state institutions become weak and a culture of using force replaces the rule of law in resolving political disputes, both the state and its people ultimately suffer.

Author: Dr. Awlad Hossain, Politician and Political Analyst