The speech delivered by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1955 at the Pakistan Constituent Assembly marks a pivotal moment in the political landscape of the time. In this address, he passionately voiced his support for democratic principles and the importance of empowering elected representatives over appointed ones, particularly in the context of the Governor-General’s role. Sheikh Mujib’s arguments are rooted in his unwavering belief in democracy and his call for a fairer political system, where the people’s representatives hold the power. His words not only reflect the aspirations of East Pakistan but also underline the growing political consciousness that would later lead to significant movements for autonomy and independence. This article examines the key points of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s speech and explores the historical significance of his stance on democratic governance.
Speech by Bangabandhu in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly – 1st October 1955
Mr. Speaker:
The proposal has been raised.
After item 38 of the schedule of the bill, the following new items shall be added:
38 A. Government of India (Third Amendment) Act, 1954, 17th July, 1954
38 B. Government of India (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1954, 17th July, 1954
38 C. Government of India (Fifth Amendment) Act, 1954, 21st September, 1954.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Sir, in support of Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan’s amendment proposal, I request my respected friends from the other side and their leaders to realise that this amendment is not based on the true principles of democracy. This assembly holds the supreme power.
Those of us who are in the opposition and who are not ministers, our views may be different, but those who are ministers, and in fact, it is for their protection that Mr. Ataur Rahman Khan has brought forward this amendment proposal. Of course, my friends from the other side may argue that it is true they are in the government benches today, but tomorrow others might come. However, I would say that today they are in power, and it is to protect them that we are introducing this amendment proposal.
“Born because of the nation’s birth” – Architect Yafes Osman | Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sir, in Pakistan’s brief eight-year history, we have witnessed how ministers have been dismissed. We have also seen how, at the centre, the Governor-General has sometimes dismissed certain ministers. Sir, as you know, this is a democratic country. The Prime Minister has declared that he will fight for democracy and uphold democratic norms, and surely every member of this house will join him in the struggle to establish democracy. In this regard, I would urge them to support the amendment in the broader context. Sir, you can easily understand that the position of Governor-General is appointed, not elected.
Now, the question is, who is the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister is a person who is a representative of the people, who has the trust of the people and even of the members of this house, because they have elected him with a majority vote, and for this reason, we want to give him these powers. We do not want to grant powers to someone who is not the representative of the people but is appointed by the Queen of England. So, Sir, how is it possible to expect justice from someone who is not a representative of the people of Pakistan? Therefore, with respect for democratic principles, I support this amendment. Sir, we want the Governor-General to be a ceremonial figure, and he must act only on the advice of the cabinet and the council of ministers.
You know how these powers were created and entrusted to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Now, Sir, you can understand that someone of the caliber of Quaid-e-Azam, who brought us the nation of Pakistan, who had an immense love for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity, and who made many sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan, had the qualities of a Governor-General, and the people would have believed they would receive justice from him.
But Sir, those who achieve power by means of fraud, conspiracies, party interests, or unscrupulous ways, who become Governor-General, will not have any respect for democratic principles. They have not made any sacrifices for Pakistan. It might even be that a particular individual, who worked to suppress the Indo-Pakistan independence movement, was perhaps accidentally made Governor-General. In such a case, we can never expect justice from him.
Therefore, we do not want to entrust such powers to a person who has no responsibility towards the people. We cannot expect honey from the fangs of a snake. All we will receive from such a person is poison. So, for these reasons, we want to give power to our friends, who are likely to be dismissed soon, either today or tomorrow. We give them these powers not out of pity, nor out of love for them, but for reasons of principle, particularly in the interest of democratic values, that we are granting them these powers, and today we are about to hand over these powers to the Governor-General.
If this process continues, I do not know what will happen to the country and what will become of Pakistan’s destiny. If we do this, the responsibility will fall on the representatives of the people. If we give these powers to the Prime Minister, who is a member of this house, we can discuss this with him, but if we give these powers to the Governor-General, what will the situation be?
It will lead to the situation where one day the Governor-General may issue a notice to the members of the Constituent Assembly, stating that, since they are trying to curtail his powers, they are not performing their duties properly, and therefore they are dismissed.
If we give him these powers, he will say that, since you wanted to cut down my powers, I have no respect for people like you, and therefore, people like you are dismissed immediately.
What will be the outcome of this, and what will happen to Pakistan’s fate? What will be the future of democracy in this country? I only want to ask the Prime Minister of Pakistan, if you hand over these powers to the Governor-General, will he not push Pakistan’s democracy to the brink of destruction?
We, the opposition, are telling him: Take the power into your own hands, give power to the cabinet, give power to the elected representatives, but do not hand power to someone who has no responsibility towards the people of Pakistan.
I appeal to the Honourable Law Minister, who is said to be well-versed in democracy, although I am not quite sure because I have not had the opportunity to work with him. Still, I can make this appeal through you, that he may have his friends (who are ministers and are thinking of becoming Prime Minister) give assurance that we are about to grant them the powers, and they will be able to use them. If they accept this, then what can we do?
Mr. Abdul Alim:
You will get your opportunity.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
Surely that time is fast approaching. They have come to power by chance, but we will come to power not by chance. We have suffered greatly, and we are most likely to come to power. Only then will the people’s representatives come to power. You may deceive a few people for a time, but you cannot deceive everyone forever.
I can tell you, Sir, you are a member of the United Front, and they had promised the people of East Pakistan that they would support the abolition of section 92-C and oppose giving powers to the Governor-General. When the general election was held in East Bengal, this promise was made.
The Pakistan government, only two months later, imposed section 92-C in East Bengal. The selfish quarters at the centre imposed section 92-C not for the welfare of the people but to keep the power in their own hands. You have not suffered any hardship, we have, and we have suffered enough. We are ready to give him power, but not the Governor-General. I have nothing personal to say about my friend Mr. Alim. He is a great friend of mine. If he takes offense, I will never mention it.
The people have elected their representatives, and one fine morning we see in the newspaper that the Governor-General has expressed satisfaction and section 92-C has been imposed, and many have been arrested. In the name of democracy, in the name of Pakistan, I appeal to them: Do not hand over power to an individual who is not your representative.
Friends, I want to warn you, that time is approaching when you will bear the consequences. That is why I urge you to accept this amendment for your own good, for the good of the country, and for your own honour. With these few words, I express my support for the proposed amendment.
Mr. Speaker:
The session will now be suspended for the Maghrib prayers.