15 August 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état

The 15 August 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état was a military coup launched by mid ranking army officers in Bangladesh on 15 August 1975. The officers planned to remove the secular government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with an Islamic government led by Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed. Sheikh Mujib and most of his family members were killed in the coup.[1][2]

1975 Bangladesh coup d'état
Date15 August 1975
Location
Bangladesh
Result

Successful coup

Belligerents
Bangladesh Government

Bangladeshi Armed Forces

Supported by:
 United States (alleged)
Commanders and leaders
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad

Background

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence on 26 March 1971 from Pakistan.[3] Bangladesh fought a 9-month liberation war that ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces in Bangladesh to an allied force of Bangladeshi and Indian Armed forces.[4] In 1973, Sheikh Mujibur's Bangladesh Awami League won the first parliamentary election in independent Bangladesh by a landslide.[5] On 7 June 1975, Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BaKSAL) was formed which made Bangladesh a one party state with the passing of the fourth amendment to the constitution; and Sheikh Mujibur was made the President of the one party state.[6]

In 1973, Major Shariful Haque Dalim and his wife were involed in a scuffle with the sons of Gazi Golam Mostafa, at a function in Dhaka Ladies club. In retaliation, some officers and soldiers of the Lancer unit and 2 Field Artillery Regiment of Bangladesh Army attacked the residence of Golam Mostofa. Golam Mostofa was a leader of Bangladesh Awami League, the ruling party of Bangladesh. Major Dalim, Major S.H.M.B Noor Chowdhury and other officers were charged with breach of discipline. Major Dalim had sought help from President Sheikh Mujib but was refused. Major Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan resigned from the army over the incident. Major Dalim and Major Noor were among the officers who lost their commissions over the charges of indiscipline.[7] In 1974, Major Syed Faruque Rahman had become dissatisfied with Bangladesh's Awami League government. He would often discuss his dissatisfaction with Major General Ziaur Rahman who was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff. Ziaur Rahman had suggested Faruque to "do something" about the situation in one such meeting.[8]

Major Khandaker Abdur Rashid was able to communicate Commerce Minister Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed about the situation in the country. Major Khandaker Rashid, Major Dalim, and Khandaker Moshtaque decided that they must dissolve BaKSAL and remove Sheikh Mujib. Khandaker Rashid informed Major Faruque Rahman, who agreed with the plan, and he was also told that Major General Zia would support them.[8]

Execution of the coup

The mutineers decided to be divided into teams, and each team were to be given specific instructions and targets.[7]

Bangabondhu Bhaban

The operation at the residence of President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was led by Major A.K.M. Mohiuddin Ahmed. Major Bazlul Huda was placed in the team as he was the Adjutant to the First Field Artillery regiment, which was guarding the home of the President. The team also included Major S.H.M.B Noor Chowdhury.[8] Captain Abul Bashar who was in charge of the guards has served under Major Dalim.[9]

Some of the guards were killed defending the residence after the mutineers tried to force their way in the residence.[10] Sheikh Kamal was injured defending the residence, and was executed by Captain Huda after the attackers had crossed into the compound. Sheikh Mujib asked "what do you want?" to the mutineers. Major Noor and Captain Huda shot Sheikh Mujib as he was coming down the stairs. Sheikh Mujib's son Sheikh Jamal, Jamal's wife Rosy, Sheikh Kamal's wife Sultana Kamal, Sheikh Mujib's wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa were taken to the bathroom on the first floor. They were shot and killed there by Major Abdul Aziz Pasha and Risaldar Moslemuddin. Major Faruque promoted Captain Huda to Major and Subedar Major Abdul Wahab Joardar to Lieutenant on the spot. Faruque had arrived and left on a tank.[9][11][12] Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmad, military secretary to the President, was killed on the way to Bangabondhu Residence after he was called by Sheikh Mujib.[13]

The guards had surrendered after a brief firefight and were lined up outside the house. Major Noor shot Sheikh Nasser, the brother of Sheikh Mujib, in the reception area bathroom. Major Pasha ordered a Havilder to kill Sheikh Russel, who was crying for his mother. A witness reported soldiers looting the house. A dead policeman was seen at the entrance. Major Huda went to Sher Shah road at Mohammadpur to order 10 coffins from carpenters. Major Huda also removed the bodies the next day through an army escort.[9]

Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani residence

Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani was the nephew of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and viewed as a likely successor. He was killed in his home along with his wife, Begum Arzu Moni, who was believed to be pregnant at the time. His sons Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash survived.[14] His home on Road 13/1 in Dhanmondi was surrounded by 20-25 army personnel on 15 August 1975.[15][16]

Abdur Rab Serniabat residence

Abdur Rab Serniabat, a former Minister of Water and brother-in-law of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed in his home in Mintoo road, Dhaka at 5:00 am. His home was attacked by a team that was led Major Aziz Pasha, Captain Majed, Major Shahriar Rashid, and Captain Nurul Huda. Serniabat's nephew Shahid Serniabat, daughter Baby Serniabat, grandson Sukanto Abdullah Babu, and son Arif Serniabat were also killed in the attack. Three domestic servants were also killed in the attack. His son, Abul Hasnat Abdullah, survived the attack and nine other people were injured in the household.[15][16]

Artillery support

Artillery under command of Fauque fired mortar shells towards Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur. In Mohammadpur, 14 people died from the mortar fire near Sher Shah Suri road.[15]

Rakhi Bahini camp

Major Faruque attacked the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini camp with 26 tanks under his command. The Rakhi Bahini surrendered without incident, Faruque moved towards the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the neutralization of the Rakhi Bahini was completed.[17]

Bangladesh Betar

The main officer of Bangladesh Betar (radio) in Dhaka was attacked by the mutineers early in the morning. They quickly disarmed the police stationed there and took control of the radio. Major Dalim and Maj Shahriar were in charge of the operation at the radio station. They controlled the flow of information from there.[18]

Aftermath

Khandaker Moshtaque addressed the nation from the Radio Station. His speech, written by Taheruddin Thakur, announced the formation of a new government led by him. Following him, the Chief of the army, his deputy, the Chief of Naval staff, the chief of the Air force, the police chief and Bangladesh Rifles pledged their allegiance to the new government. Khandaker Moshtaque General M. A. G. Osmani as his Defence Adviser. General Ziaur Rahman was made the Chief of Army Staff on 24 August 1975 and Khalilur Rahman was made the first Chief of Defence Staff of Bangladesh Army.[7]

On 26 September 1975, Khandaker Moshtaque proclaimed the Indemnity Ordinance which protected those involved in the coup legal protection. On 5 October 1975, the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini (Absorption in the Army) Ordinance was passed with strong support from Ziaur Rahman; which absorbed the Rakkhi Bahini into Bangladesh Army.[19]

On 3 November 1975, the situation had grown tense with some officers of the Bangladesh Army led by Brigadier General Khaled Mosharraf and Colonel Shafaat Jamil launching a coup to remove the mutineers and restore order to the Army. Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem replaced Khandaker Moshtaque as president and Mosharraf was made the Chief of Army Staff. The mutineers in the morning had killed former President Syed Nazrul Islam, former Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed and Ministers M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman in Dhaka Central Jail where they were locked up since the mutiny on 15 August. Zia was placed under house arrest. On 4 November the Mutineers were provided safe passage to Bangkok.[20][21]

On 7 November 1975, Khaled Mosharraf was killed in another coup that restored Ziaur Rahman to the Chief of Army Staff. The coup was led by the revolutionary soldier's organisation and Colonel Abu Taher.[22] Taher himself was executed for the kill of Khaled under the government formed by Major General Zia on 21 July 1976, in order to restore discipline in the army and prevent any further coups.[23][24]

In 1976, the military regime of Bangladesh provided the coup plotters with diplomatic jobs. AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed was made the second secretary of the embassy in Algeria, AM Rashed Chowdhury was made the consulate general in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, S.H.M.B Noor Chowdhury was made the second secretary in the embassy in Tehran, Shariful Haque Dalim was made the first secretary to the embassy in Beijing, and Abdul Aziz Pasha was made the first secretary to the embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They held the positions till 1996 when the Bangladesh Awami League formed the government and recalled them to Bangladesh. They refused to comply and as a result were fired from their positions.

Trial

Major Faruque, Major Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, and former state minister Taheruddin Thakur were arrested on 14 August 1996, the same year Bangladesh Awami League returned to power. Three months later, the Bangladesh Parliament, controlled by Bangladesh Awami League, removed the indemnity Act, making way for trials to start.[25]

AFM Mohitul Islam, personal assistant to President Sheikh Mujib, filed a charge against the mutineers with Dhanmondi Police Station on 2 October 1996. The Criminal Investigation Department started investigating the case the next day. The CID pressed charges against 20 people on 15 January 1997.[25]

On 12 March 1997, the trial started with six accused in jail and 14 being outside the country. Zobaida Rashid, wife of Khandaker Abdur Rashid, was relieved of charges after she filed a number of appeals, reducing the accused to 19. Other cases filed with the High Court challenged the legality of the trial court and its location, the cancellation of the indemnity act, which delayed the trial. Major Huda was bought from Thailand in 1998, through the signing of an extradition treaty between Thailand and Bangladesh. Dhaka district Justice Kazi Golam Rasul, sentenced 15 accused to death on 8 November 1998. Appeals were filled with Bangladesh High Court. On 14 November 1998 the High Court delivered a split verdict with Justice Md Ruhul Amin upholding the death penalty of 10 of the convicts, Justice ABM Khairul Haque upholding the death penalty of all 15. The case was referred to a third Justice, Mohammad Fazlul Karim, who broke the tie by sentencing 12 of the accused to death.[25]

Then Chief Justice Ruhul Amin constituted an appeal court with five justices: Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Md Abdul Aziz, Justice Md Tafazzul Islam, Justice BK Das, and Justice Md Muzammel Hossain. The verdict of the Appellate Division confirmed the death sentences of the 12 convicts on 19 November 2009. Three sought presidential pardons but were refused. On 27 January 2010, Bangladesh Supreme Court refused the convicts application for review. On 28 January 2010, five of the convicts in custody were executed.[25] The hanged were Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Syed Faruque Rahman, Bazlul Huda. On 12 April 2020, Captain Abdul Majed was hanged.[26]

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party returned to power in 2001 and reinstated the officers who had been dismissed in 1996 to their diplomatic positions.[27]

Legacy

Since 1975, Bangladesh had been under different military governments, with democracy being partially restored a few times and permanently in 1990.[5]

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, the two daughters of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, survived the assassinations of their family as they were in Germany in August 1975.[3] Sheikh Hasina has been elected four times Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in 1996, 2009, 2014 and 2018.[28]

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gollark: You could extend the potatosandbox a bit, even.
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See also

References
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  4. "Bangladesh - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
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  8. "Farooq's confession". The Daily Star. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
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  11. "Pasha shot dead Begum Mujib, Jamal, 2 in-laws". The Daily Star. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
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  13. "Brig. Gen. Jamil". The Daily Star. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  14. "Bangladeshi MP gets birthday justice for parents' killing". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
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  16. "FACTBOX: Aug 15 victims". Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  17. Mascarenhas, Anthony (1986). Bangladesh : a legacy of blood. London: Hodder and Stoughton. p. 72. ISBN 034039420X. OCLC 16583315.
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  22. "A matter of national interest". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  23. "5th amendment verdict paves way for justice". The Daily Star. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  24. "What really happened in 1975?". bdnews24.com (Opinion). 8 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  25. "Long road to justice". The Daily Star. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  26. "5 Bangabandhu killers hanged". The Daily Star. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  27. "Govt to recover money spent on 7 killers". The Daily Star. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  28. "Hasina, Sheikh - Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
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