The story of Abu Taher’s life cannot be summed up easily or simply, nor can the sequence of events, which brought it to an abrupt heroic close. The time involved spans more than half a decade. It has been a complex period of extraordinary violence and brutality. In the past two years alone Bangladesh has been ruled by a succession of four regimes, each succeeding the other force of arms. Out of the struggle for independence in 1971 nearly a million persons died in war or from starvation. In 1974 the lives a hundred thousand peasants succumbed to a famine which largely man-made. In 1975 Bangladesh entered a new phase of political upheavals. Two military putsches involving assassinations and grim jailhouse murders were followed by a revolutionary army mutiny. It was a soldiers’ uprising that had not been seen in the subcontinent since 18557, when the colonial army of India rebelled against the British. It was this insurrection on November 7^th, 1975, which deeply shook the polity of Bangladesh and more than any other event brought historic prominence to Abu Taher.

Three days before he was hanged Taher wrote a final letter from prison. It shall be our starting point.

Dacca Central Jail

18^th July 1976

Respected Father, Mother, my dearest Lutfa, Bhaijan, My brothers and sisters,

Yesterday afternoon the tribunal announced its verdict against us. I have been sentenced to death. Bhaijan and Major Jalil were sentenced to life imprisonment. All their property will be confiscated. Anwar, Inu, Rab, and Major Zia were given ten years rigorous imprisonment and a penlty each of ten thousand takas. Saleha and Rabiul have been given five years rigorous improsonment and fines of five thousand takas each. Thirteen others including Dr. Akhlaqur, Mahmood the journalist and Manna have been st free. At the very last moment the tribunal proclaimed my death sentence; and in great haste they left the court like dog in flight.

Mahmood suddenly broke into tears. When I tried I tried to comfort him he said, “I am crying because a Bengali could have the audacity to pass a sentence on Colonel Taher.” Meanwhile, Saleha withdrew to the restroom and broke down in tears. When I called to her saying, “I don’t ever expect such weakness from you,” she said, “these are not tears. This is laughter.” What a wonderful vision of laughter are the tears of this sister of mine. I met her first here in the prison’s courtroom. I have such admiration for her. What nation can produce a sister like her?

Among those convicted there was only a single lament: why had they not also sentenced to death? Suddenly there were cries from all quarters of this jai house. Defiant and ever louder: “Taher Bhai! Red Salute! Lal Salam!” Can these high walls hold back this cry? Will not the echoes of this call reach into the hearts of the people of this country?

Our lawyers were stunned at the announcement of the verdict. They came and told me that, although there is no appeal from this tribunal, they would issue a writ to the Supreme Court. The entire workings and procedure of the tribunal had been unconstitutional and illegal. They said that simultaneously they would issue an appeal to the president. Then I made it clear to them that no such appeal was to be issued. We had installed this president and I would not petition for my life from these traitors.

Everyone wanted to hear me speak a few words. Meanwhile, the prison authorities were becoming eager to separate us. I said, “when I am alone, fear and selfish desire for life attack me from all sides. But when I am with you, all fear and selfishness leave me. I become brave and I can see myself with all the strength and courage of the revolution. An invincible calmness determined to overcome all obstacles enter into me. We want to sacrifice the isolation of our separate existences and find our true expression among the people – that is what our struggle is for.”

They are all leaving, bidding good-bye one by one. Their eyes wet. We have spent quite a while together. Who knows when we shall meet again? Saleha will go with me. Bhaijan and Anwar show me a stoic calmness. But I know them. This is an act for my benefit. Belal’s eyes are strangely luminous – it is as if they are on the verge of breaking into tears. Jalil, Rab, and Zia firmly embrace me. This is a bond that binds us to the entire nation. A bond which no one can break.

They have left. All of them. Saleha and I come out together. She goes to cell. As I pass, prisoners and political detainees peer out with eager eyes from behind the doors and windows of their locked cells. Matin Sahib, Tipu Biswas, and the others raise their hands in the sign of vectory. This trial has united the revolutionaries almost without their knowledge.

I was taken to cell number 8. it is the cell assigned to prisoners who are to be hanged. It the cells adjacent to mine there are three other victims for the gallows. It is a small cell. Quite clean. It is all right.

When standing face to face with death, I turn to look back on my life and find nothing to be ashamed of. I see many events, which unite me irrevocably to our people. Can I have a greater joy or happiness than this?

Nitu, Jishu and Mishu … everyone comes crowding into my memory. I have not left behind any wealth or property for then, but our entire nation is there for their future. We have seen thousands of naked children deprived of love and affection. We wanted a home them. Is this dawn too distant for the Bengali people? No, it is not too far off. The sun is about to rise.

I have given my blood for the creation of this country. And now I shall give my life. Let this illuminate and infuse new strength into the souls of our people. What greater reward could there be for me?

No one can kill me. I live in the midst of the masses. My pulse beats in their pulse. If I am to be killed, the entire people must also be killed. What force can do that? None.

This morning’s paper just came in. they have published the news of my death sentence and the sentences of the rest on the front page. The description of the proceedings that has been published is entirely false. It has been alleged during the trial and on the evidence of state witnesses that the Sepoy Revolution of the 7^th November occurred under my leadership. This I do not deny. Yet, the papers do not mention this nor that it was under my orders that Ziaur Rahman was released. It was we who installed the present government in its place of authority only to be betrayed. During the entire trial there was no reference whatsoever of the Kader Bahini.

It is my ardent hope that our lawyers Ataur Rahman, Zulmat Ali, and all others who were present will expose the secret behind this trial and protest its false propaganda. I do not fear death. Zia is a traitor and a conspirator and has had to take refuge in lies to discredit me before the people. Tell Ataur Rahman and the others that it is their moral responsibility to expose the truth – and if they fail in this duty, history will not forgive them.

My greatest respect, my love and my everlasting affection be with you all.

Taher