On March 16, 1967, the Bhutta Movement unfolded in Pabna. Many people fell ill after consuming flour distributed from rations, resulting in two deaths and numerous hospitalizations. Following this incident, the people of Pabna, at all levels, became agitated. They attacked the home of Captain Asgar Hossain Zaidi, a member of the ruling party and parliamentary secretary (food), with the assistance of local Jamaat members. Captain Zaidi attempted to disperse the agitated crowd, resulting in one fatality and nearly 12 injuries from gunfire. Subsequently, enraged citizens ransacked two gun shops, looting weapons, and engaged in a gun battle at Captain Zaidi’s residence on Rupkatha Road. The local district administration and police, with the help of auxiliary police, rescued Captain Zaidi from the situation. Two police officers were seriously injured during this time. The district administration in Pabna then imposed a curfew, arresting hundreds of activists and ordinary citizens. This incident sparked widespread discussion throughout Pakistan. During General Ayub Khan’s ten-year military rule, it was one of the major movements and armed conflicts. This event came to be known as the Bhutta Movement across the country during that time.In 1967, during the Bhutta Movement, I was 14 years old. At that time, I was studying in the seventh grade at Radhanagar Majumdar Academy. About a year earlier, I had become involved in politics as an activist. On April 7, 1966, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s arrival in Pabna and the rally at the Town Hall ground provided me with an opportunity to listen and actively participate. Just three to four days after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s arrest, I became involved in many of the protests and rallies held in Pabna demanding his release. I participated in numerous rallies and processions held in the city. In February 1967, on the occasion of Language Martyrs’ Day, a procession was held in Pabna. Since 1952, Language Martyrs’ Day had been observed extensively and with great enthusiasm in the service of Pabna. The night before, I stayed up with my elder brothers, participating in the rally the next morning. We visited the makeshift Shaheed Minar erected at the tennis ground near Edward College, offering flowers. At that time, I was quite active as a worker for the Chhatra League. Just five days after the observance of Language Martyrs’ Day, the Bhutta Movement erupted on March 16.On the day of the Bhutta Movement, I went to school as usual. The Edward College was situated adjacent to our school. Before reaching school, I could sense that something had happened today. The students from college and school were gathered in the college field. The leaders of Chhatra League and the student union were trying to rally their workers. Then everyone was instructed to proceed to the city for a rally. I learned that many people had died after consuming poisoned flour the previous night. Thousands were hospitalized. The hospitals were overwhelmed, with no space for patients. The current diabetic hospital was then the main hospital in Pabna. In our classroom, we left our books and papers, joining the procession of the group we belonged to. When I reached the city with the Chhatra League rally, I saw thousands of students, youths, workers, and political activists gathering from all directions. The entire city was crowded with people. There were thousands of people around the hospital. There was no space on the streets. Nobody knew what had happened, how many people had died. As time passed, the number of people kept increasing. One procession was coming, and another was leaving. During that movement, the majority of participants were students from schools and colleges. Additionally, workers from the textile mills, bidi workers, and people from all walks of life were actively involved. On that day, I was in the vicinity of the old bus stand, present-day Diabetic Hospital, and Town Hall area. There was a gathering on the veranda of the Town Hall where local leaders were delivering speeches. At that moment, chaos erupted, and commotion ensued. Later, I heard that prominent figures like Sayed Asgar Hossain Jaidi, the chief of the Muslim League in Pabna, and a member of the Pakistan National Assembly’s Food Committee, were killed in the hospital, and many others were injured. When the agitated crowd demanded that Jaidi come to the Town Hall to admit his guilt through a microphone, he refused, further angering the protesters, who then attacked him. He managed to escape to his residence, where he took refuge. I was near the southern side of his residence, which was known as Fokirni Para (present-day Shantinagar). Surrounding Jaidi’s residence from all sides, the enraged crowd vented their fury. I was at the southern-western side of Jaidi’s residence, near the residence of our friends Shajahan and Shahnara from Atghoria’s Radhakantapur village. The neighboring house belonged to our schoolmates, Shafiqul Islam Manik , Nazmul Haque Nannu, Tipu Biswas, Matiur Rahman Bachchu, Shalgari Ward Councilor Abul Hasanat, Mohammad Yakub Ali, Jamaat Ali Jammu, Meher Ali, Moin Uddin Sheikh, Keramat Ali, Sheikh Kabir Uddin, Mohammad Nasim, Fazlur Rahman Potol, Ahmed Rafiq, Sayed Talukdar, Hossain Ali Khan, Abul Hossain Nayebe Mia, Gada Babu, Deputy Mayor Kafil Uddin Ahmed, Sharif Uddin Bhola Mia, journalist Hasanatujjaman Hira, Hazi Golam Faruq Jhantu, Moktar Hossain, Golam Mostafa Aloo, and Subhash Chandra Sarkar Chief.In the trial of the said case, the court sentenced Golam Mostafa Aloo, Hazi Golam Faruq Jhantu, and Subhash Chandra Sarkar to two years of hard labor and a fine of one thousand taka each.In today’s journey, many have forgotten the story of the historic Bhutta movement. Perhaps today’s generation knows nothing. In that movement, the voices of the martyrs and the injured are forgotten. We have forgotten the oppression and torture of hundreds of people. Finally, an appeal is made to the representatives of Pabna, the District Council, the district administration, and the political leadership to erect a monument at the site of the Bhutta movement in memory of the martyrs and to preserve their memory, in the playground of Amin Uddin College (formerly Captain Jayedi’s house). In addition, every year, March 16 should be observed as Bhutta Movement Day.This event marked a significant chapter in the political history of Pabna and the broader context of Pakistan. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for justice and their rights during tumultuous times. As we reflect on this pivotal moment, it’s crucial to honor the memory of the martyrs and recognize their contributions to the struggle for a better society. Erecting a monument at the site of the Bhutta movement and observing March 16 as Bhutta Movement Day would ensure that their legacy lives on for generations to come. It’s essential to educate future generations about the Bhutta movement’s significance and the sacrifices made by those who participated in it. This will help preserve the memory of this historic event and inspire people to uphold the values of justice, equality, and democracy.
Writer: Amirul Islam Ranga
Translated by: Mehedi Hasan Himel
