The translated interview .........
How are you?
"I am well. But I always remember the people of Bangladesh. Thank you for organising today's programme, because people of Bangladesh as of now do not know clearly about the events of August 15, [1975]--how it was organised and what happened, like betrayal, later. And those truths could not be told for want of time and opportunity.
"The current situation in Bangladesh, I think, has totally unmasked all those who have done politics in Bangladesh till date. So, I think it is an opportunity and it is time to speak the truth, and I believe the people of Bangladesh will benefit from it. I have never done anything or said anything in my own interest."
How can you stay well with the accusation of a murder and with death sentence in a life quite like a fugitive?
"I feel, and I believe, I am responsible to Allah for everything. I have not done anything so far that might harm the country or the people. And I have confidence that I can justify my actions before Allah--that I was true and sincere in my purpose and actions. I feel I am well even after the damage done to me in different ways because I have confidence and inner strength and because I always work for truth and because the people of Bangladesh love me."
Don't you now feel any tension and think such obstacles come in everyone's life?
"Yes, I have the strength by the grace of Allah. I rather took more risks earlier when I went to the Liberation War because I did not know whether I would survive or not. Even on August 15 I was not certain whether we would survive or not or whether the mission would be successful or not. If compared, the risk is much less now. So, I am not at all worried although you have mentioned that I have been condemned to death. But I believe no one can do anything to anyone for doing anything. Everything will happen according to Allah's desire."
How many times have you appeared on television since 1975?
"On a CNN interview in 1979. Before that, Anthony Mascarenhas was scheduled to do a small interview. [Col] Faruk contacted him and gave an interview. But I did not like him personally when I first talked to him. So, I did not think it would be a good idea to talk [with Mascarenhas] freely and refrained from doing that. That was a special programme of 'World in Action'. When he wrote a book, 'Legacy of Blood', he also did not write a lot about me. He wrote about Faruk and mostly his own opinion."
When did that interview take place? Have you talked with any other TV channel since then or with any Bangladeshi TV channel?
"No, I have not talked with any TV channel since then. This is the first time that I am talking with any Bangladeshi TV channel."
Have you spoken with any newspaper about August 15?
"As a matter of fact, no newspaper came up to ask me for a detail interview although I have held press conferences on contemporary politics when I was involved in politics in Bangladesh. But I did not talk about August 15, nor did anyone show interest to ask me about it."
When were you born?
"I was born on December 6, 1946 at Chhayghoria village in Chandina, Comilla."
Would you tell something about your childhood, your parents?
"My father was a schoolteacher. In my childhood, I studied in my village school--I would go to school with my father. I appeared in matriculation examinations from Chandina, then studied at Dhaka College, then studied soil science at Dhaka University. I could not complete my master degree because I joined the Pakistan Army after the 1965 war. I was commissioned in 1966. I am the younger of us two brothers. My brother lives in Bangladesh."
When did you marry?
"In 1969."
When did you first come to know Col Faruk Rahman, the other condemned in Bangabandhu murder case?
"We lived close in Pakistan Military Academy. He was in the second war course and I was on the fourth war course. He was senior to me. Then we met again during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Faruk defected [from Pakistan Army] and went to Dubai first and then to India...I also went to India. Later, when we were in Bangladesh Army we used to meet always."
When did he marry?
"In 1973. He used to come to my house as a friend and got to know my sister-in-law. And then they married."
You joined the Liberation War in November 1971 and Col Faruk Rahman on December 12. Why did you delay?
"My posting was in Pakistan at that time and it was not an easy job to join the Liberation War from there. So, you see, most of those posted in Pakistan did not go back after coming to Bangladesh, and a few--five or six--went back but were not in a good condition. So, I think I am lucky that I could join the Liberation War although late."
How did you come from Pakistan and join the Liberation War?
"I went on leave in October and went to India not to go back. Then I joined the Liberation War. I was in Z Sector; Ziaur Rahman was the sector commander. Khaled Mosharraf was also in the camp. He was injured and was in hospital."
Do you know anything about Col Faruk's delay? How did he join?
"He was in Abu Dhabi on deputation. I do not know why he delayed coming to India from Abu Dhabi. He found a way because he had the will to do it. I cannot recall clearly. Major Jalil raised the armour unit and I do not know when exactly Faruk joined."
What was your thought about Bangladesh's Liberation War then?
"Many thoughts came to my mind--I should be a freedom fighter, whether Bangladesh should get freedom. Both Faruk Rahman and I were captain then.
"The war for freedom was a necessity. Once it starts, it should not be let fail. It became a responsibility of all Bangladeshi people to join and fight the war until independence. And I believe the people had the same feeling and so we succeeded to emerge victorious. I was looking for opportunity and joined the war as soon as I got it."
Do you think the war was inevitable? Do you think any special incident stirred it?
"The situation took such a turn that there was no alternative to war. Political struggle reached a final stage where people from all walks of life joined it after Awami League was denied power even after winning majority. It was seen as denial of democratic rights. It was a suitable time to march forward as far as is necessary to establish democracy and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did so.
"As no agreement could be reached, he made it clear in the March 7 speech that the fight would be a war for freedom. I was present at the Dhaka racecourse [ground] on that day. The spirit of people on the day demonstrated that they were ready for the war for complete freedom.
"After the March 7 meeting, I, then serving in the EPI, was asked to join my old unit in Pakistan. So, I had to go. During my six-month job in EPI, I felt that Bangladesh was going towards the Liberation War and I also felt that Bangladesh this time will be liberated."
Did you talk among yourselves? Did you think that there could a federation with East and West Pakistan to ensure unity?
"Yes, we Banglaee army officers used to talk among ourselves. At first, many of the army officers believed that such an understanding would not be bad, many were hopeful that it would happen but it did not happen. Even though it was the responsibility of the then Pakistani government to implement it, it was clear that no understanding was possible after the party that won majority was denied power."
Do you think such a solution would have been good?
"I think that would not have been bad. After all, we were Muslims in both East and West Pakistan. A good cooperation would have been there between the two parts. In a confederation, Bangladesh would have had indirect independence and that would not have been that bad. But, when the war started there was no alternative."
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