Introduction:
It was a sedition case in Pakistan in 1968, during the presidency of Ayub Khan. It was brought against Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, leader of the Awami League and East Pakistan at the time along with 34 other individuals by the Pakistani Government.
The case was officially styled as “State vs. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ors.” but is widely referred to as the Agartala conspiracy case as the main conspiracy was suggested to have taken place in Agartala in the state of Tripura (erstwhile part of Assam), India, between the Indian party and the 35 accused.
The Six-Point Movement:
Ever since the Partition, the population of East Pakistan were treated unjustly and were deprived of basic rights in all spheres, leading to a general resentment towards their Pakistani rulers.
Hoping to put an end to the exploitation of East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur came up with the six-points which would work to give the East greater autonomy, however, they were rejected by the national conference and Mujibur was called a separatist. The rejection of the six-points led Mujibur to boycott the conference.
Government Response:
The Home Department of Pakistan in a news release dated January 6, 1968 stated that the government had detected a conspiracy against Pakistan's national interests in December 1967. The press release stated the arrest of 8 people, including 2 CSP officials, and claimed that the suspects were involved in plotting an armed uprising to split East Pakistan from Pakistan.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was linked to the plot by the Home Department through a separate declaration made on January 18, 1968. He was imprisoned on May 9th, 1966 along with numerous others. After being freed, they were detained again in accordance with the provisions of the martial law and transported to the Dhaka Cantonment by the military.
It was initially decided to Court Martial the accused since most of them were military personnel, however, in order to bring the politicians to justice before the 1970 elections and to ensure trial transparency, this was reversed in favour of a civil trial.
An amendment to the penal code was adopted with the intention of creating a special tribunal to take on the case. On June 19, 1968, the case's hearing under Sections 121-A and 131 began and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was listed as the first accused.
In a heavily guarded chamber inside the Dhaka Cantonment, the tribunal began the case's procedures. The tribunal was presented with a charge-sheet against the 35 accused. 227 witnesses, including 11 approvers, were present. However, the government labelled 4 approvers as hostile.
Thomas William, a British lawyer filed a petition in the Dhaka high court in favour of Sheikh Mujibur questioning the legality of the tribunal.
The government was determined to paint Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a separatist and an agent of India in order to mobilise the public against him. However, the witnesses on the scene claimed that the government had threatened and persecuted them into offering false testimony in their favour.
Killing of Zahrul Haq and The Release of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman
While being held in the Dhaka Cantonment, Sergeant Zahurul Haq, the 17th accused in the case, was cruelly shot to death at a time when the streets of Dhaka had become a hotbed of turmoil, chaos and general civil unrest.
When the word of his passing spread, an enraged mob set fire to the State Guest House and other structures. Both the tribunal chairman, S.A. Rahman, and the government's chief attorney, Manzur Quader, who were then residing in the guest home, evacuated secretly. Some of the case-related documents were destroyed by fire.
In response to the mass movement, the Ayub Government was left with no choice but to withdraw the Agartala Conspiracy Case on 22nd February 1969. All the accused in the case, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were released and all charges against them were dropped.
Conclusion
This case is perhaps the tipping point in Bangladesh’s freedom struggle. After the Agartala Case, the intentions of Pakistan’s generals were clear to the people of East Pakistan and further helped Sheikh Mujibur Rehman to mobilise the public for his cause. Perhaps, it has been widely debated, if it was not for the Agartala Conspiracy Case, the 1971 war would not have taken place and maybe Bangladesh would've still have been a part of Pakistan. A lesson for all nations to learn, especially in today's circumstances.
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