"Will the Sacrifice of Noor Hossain Go in Vain?"

Mohan Raihan, a poet, writer, and a prominent student leader of the 90s, is deeply connected to the struggle for national reformation and subsequent resistance against military rule in post-independence Bangladesh. Committed to societal change, he played a pivotal role. On March 24, 1982, when General Ershad imposed military rule in the country, it was under Mohan Raihan's leadership that the first protest procession emerged from Madhu's Canteen. On January 11, 1983, he also led the first student uprising against military autocracy. In the turbulent 90s, this bold student leader engaged in extensive discussions with Bangla Insider about contemporary politics. The interview was conducted by the Staff Reporter Md. Oliul Islam.

Bangla Insider: To understand the essence of the sacrifice of Noor Hossain, we want to ask: Is it true that, through his self-sacrifice, the downfall of Ershad's military dictatorship was made inevitable?

Mohan Raihan: Today is November 10th, Noor Hossain Day. It has been declared a national day. Noor Hossain made a sacrifice for the nation. Indeed, it was through his act of self-sacrifice that the downfall of Ershad's military dictatorship became inevitable.

Bangla Insider: What were the intense desires of an autorickshaw driver like Noor towards democracy? Could you shed some light on this?

Mohan Raihan: Noor Hossain was an autorickshaw driver in his personal life. He carried the slogan "Let Democracy Be Saved" on his chest and "Free Democracy" on his back, walking the streets. This proves how intense the democratic consciousness and aspirations of the common people were in the democratic movement of Bangladesh. The active participation of ordinary workers, farmers, rickshaw pullers, and laborers in all our democratic movements, including the Language Movement of '52, the mass upsurge of '69, the armed struggle of '71, and the anti-Ershad democratic movements, played an essential role in pursuing/achieving success.

Bangla Insider: The anti-Ershad democratic movement began under your leadership. Could you tell us a bit more about that?

Mohan Raihan: On March 24, 1982, Ershad unlawfully seized power. The very next day, under my leadership, a procession of 15 to 20 students emerged from Dhaka University's Madhu's Canteen. Simultaneously, under the leadership of Nurul Kabir, currently the editor of the English daily New Age, another procession emerged with the slogan "Reject Martial Law, Save Democracy." Towards the end of this procession, when we returned to Madhu's Canteen, the top leaders of all student organizations scorned us, labeled us as extremists, and quickly abandoned Madhu's Canteen. Even my own organization, JASAD, and its leader, criticized us. They said, "We haven't taken any decisions centrally, you have already started a procession without any discussion. Do you think you can start a movement just like that?" I replied that I've learned from politics; martial law has been declared in the country, and we must protest. There's no need for anyone's permission. Let's initiate the movement this way.

Bangla Insider: Despite Majid Khan's educational policy, you and your group protested, playing a role in the anti-military rule movement. Can you tell us more about this?

Mohan Raihan: Ershad not only illegally seized power but also declared an oppressive education policy known nationwide as Majid Khan's education policy. We, the students, protested against this policy and simultaneously initiated a movement against military rule. We engaged in discussions with various student organizations. On September 17, 1982, focusing on Education Day, we organized a silent procession at the University of Dhaka. During that time, a few student organizations collectively staged a silent procession in the Kalabhaban courtyard of Dhaka University. Through this, the Student Struggle Council was formed to prepare for an anti-military rule movement.

Bangla Insider: How was the “Chhatra Sangram Parishad” formed?

Mohan Raihan: On November 7, 1982, following the Civil Uprising of the masses, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal student wing organized a mass procession. However, the police invaded the university and subjected students, even teachers, to widespread brutality. Students were beaten in classrooms, harassed, and repressed. During this time, Nurul Alam Bapari, a teacher at Dhaka University, was brutally assaulted in the name of punishment. Several prominent leaders of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal student wing, including Sharif Khan, were seriously injured. Taking this incident as the central point, we, the leaders of 14 student organizations, united to form the Chhatra Sangram Parishad and declared a nationwide plan to break the shackles of military rule on January 11.

Bangla Insider: Your “Chhatra Sangram Parishad” faced opposition from major political parties like Awami League and BNP when you tried to conduct activities under its banner. What was the reason for this?

Mohan Raihan: We adopted a Mass signature campaign as part of our extensive preparations against Majid Khan’s education policy. We successfully educated hundreds of thousands of students within a month. On January 11, we officially announced our plan to break military rule, leading a peaceful procession from Dhaka University to Shahid Minar, a call that alarmed the martial government. Political parties such as Awami League, BNP, leaders like Sheikh Hasina, and Khaleda Zia told student leaders, “We are not ready. Withdraw your plan.” Finally, it was decided that on January 11, the student procession would go up to Shahid Minar, and they wouldn't enter the educational institutions. However, ordinary students didn't heed this warning. On January 11, 1982, only 28 leaders from 14 student organizations led the procession to Shahid Minar, while leaders and activists from all organizations surrounded the educational institutions. We officially broke military rule through a peaceful procession. Looking back, everyone writes about that day. On that day, we all successfully shattered military rule peacefully, bringing a peaceful procession back to the university. Despite the readiness of the martial government with military forces, the courage to fire bullets into a gathering of students and widespread student opposition, they did not dare to open fire. That day, regular students broke into the DUCSU Bhavan building, questioning why everyone involved in all movements had become rebels. Subsequently, we, the leaders of all student organizations, joined together to discuss our strategy and formulated new plans for the movement.

Bangla Insider: How did the events of February 14 impact the movement?

Mohan Raihan: The one-month preparation for the February 14 program followed the January 11 plan. We were once again prepared for February 14, and we disseminated information throughout the country. On February 14, students of the Chhatra Sangram Parishad gathered at the Shahid Minar, defying martial law. However, the procession towards the educational institution was stopped in front of the Shishu Academy as per Ershad's orders. Shots were fired, resulting in the deaths of Jafar, Joynal, Kanchan, and Mozammel, among many other students. They took away Joynal's body, surrounded the university, arrested many students, and subjected them to torture, causing the university to close down. Some days later, when the university reopened, we once again prepared for the movement. As part of our preparations, we called for various strikes, took various measures, and engaged in extensive promotion throughout all schools and colleges across Bangladesh. During the movement, student leaders Shahjahan Siraj of Rajshahi University was shot and killed during a labor strike, and Tajul Islam, a leader of the Communist Party, was also assassinated. Later, Rohan, a leader of the National Student League, was shot dead. We organized massive demonstrations in Dhaka, which saw the participation of cultural activists, writers, poets, intellectuals, workers, and ordinary citizens who gradually joined our movement.

Bangla Insider: How did the final days of Ershad's autocratic rule unfold?

Mohan Raihan: As the protest gained momentum, the repressive regime became even more ruthless and authoritarian. On November 10, 1987, they assassinated Nur Hossen by gunfire, which further intensified the protests. In response to this brutal murder, various political parties called for a nationwide dawn-to-dusk strike on November 11 and 12. The movement gained even more momentum, culminating in widespread public outrage and uprisings on December 6, leading to the downfall of Ershad's autocracy. The era of Ershad's autocratic rule came to a gruesome end after nearly a decade.

Bangla Insider: Are we giving back enough for all the sacrifices made?

Mohan Raihan: Are we really achieving the dreams of our martyrs, who sacrificed so much blood and life for our liberation war, today? Sadly, the answer is no. The dreams our martyrs had, the struggle we waged, the sacrifices we endured, the arrests we faced, and the oppression we tolerated – have we truly achieved the democratic, non-discriminatory Bangladesh they envisioned?

Bangla Insider: How do you see the state of our democracy today, from your perspective?

Mohan Raihan: Today, do we have the right to speak our minds in this country? Is the integrity of our elections guaranteed today? Our entire nation has fallen into a pit of corruption, lawlessness, and a climate of fear. Our parliament is now dominated by businessmen, and many of them are involved in corruption. The common people are suffering due to skyrocketing prices. Religious extremism and communal violence are rampant. Where is the Bangladesh of our liberation war today?

Bangla Insider: Will the sacrifices of Nur Hossen and others go in vain?

Mohan Raihan: Naturally, today we ask whether the sacrifices of Nur Hossen and others will go in vain. This question should be asked by every one of us. If we remain silent, if we become indifferent today, then it will not work. If we close our eyes to the atrocities happening in this country, it will not work. I don't understand how Sheikh Hasina can remain silent when the country is plagued by corruption, lawlessness, and a reign of fear. Doesn't she hear or see it?

Bangla Insider: Why don't we see you actively involved in current politics?

Mohan Raihan: I have distanced myself from politics because the principles, policies, and character that defined politics in our time are no longer present. Today, politics is in the hands of politicians. Today, journalism is in the hands of the media mafia. The media, including newspapers, radio, and television, is controlled by the mafia. The journalists whom I respected, loved, and admired in the past no longer exist. It saddens me deeply. Today, November 10th is Nur Hossen Day. Nur Hossen was an auto-rickshaw driver. He gave his life today. What did he want in his life? We need to think about this anew today. We need to speak up again today. Those of us who believed in the cause of independence, who participated in the liberation war, who sacrificed and suffered for it – now it's our responsibility to revive that spirit. For the establishment of democracy, for the values of the liberation war – equality, social justice, the rule of law – we need to take a fresh oath on November 10th, Nur Hossen Day. We need to unite with new determination.

Bangla Insider: Do you have a message for the youth of today’s society?

Mohan Raihan: Today, the youth of the world need to rise against capitalism, imperialism, autocracy, and fascism. They need to break free from the culture of consumerism. The entire youth society has been indoctrinated into consumerism today. They need to awaken their consciousness against this. It's a dangerous aspect of our society. The youth of this country are now passive. The male and female students at Dhaka University don't think about it; they are silent about everything. This is a well-thought-out conspiracy, a part of the plan. Today, the youth society, the student society, has been made devoid of conscience. I believe this is an integral part of the conspiracy to make the entire nation apathetic and to divert their attention from critical issues.