Abdul Hai Sarkar, the valiant Bir Protik and commander of the Surjosantan Company in Kurigram in 1971, laments that the sacrifices made by him and his comrades are now disregarded despite dedicating nine months to the frontlines of the Liberation War.
The lack of recognition for their sacrifices and the inadequate compensation they received continue to weigh heavily on his heart.
Speaking to TIMES, Bir Protik Abdul Hai Sarkar expressed his disillusionment, saying, “What did we gain from the Liberation War? When it ended, we were given Tk100, a blanket, and a certificate. For the next 25 years, we didn’t receive anything. Even when the government introduced allowances later, our conditions only slightly improved. The purpose of independence was never fully realised, and now we are the victims of neglect. No one values us anymore.”
His frustration stems from the realisation that despite the passing of decades, the promises of equality, justice, and recognition made during the war have not been fulfilled. “Now, everyone is just busy with gaining power. After 16th December 1971, when our victory was secured, on 6 December, Kurigram was liberated from Pakistani forces. The flag of independent Bangladesh was raised in Kurigram by my hands,” he recalled with a sense of pride, though tinged with sorrow.
In an exclusive interview with TIMES, Abdul Hai Sarkar, who rose from assistant commander to company commander, shared vivid memories of the war. He described how, after completing his eighth grade, he joined the workforce at a tobacco company in Agargaon, Dhaka, at the age of 15 or 16.
However, when the call for independence came, he could not stay back. “I went for training twice; I was rejected both times because I was physically weaker. But I didn’t give up. I joined the second batch and completed my training on April 8, 1971. By mid-April, I crossed the border and walked back to Kurigram, joining Sector 6,” he recalled.
Over the next nine months, Abdul Hai Sarkar participated in numerous missions. “I wasn’t just a camp soldier; I was in direct combat. I planted mines, threw bombs, and fought in the frontlines,” he said.
Reflecting on one of the major operations in June 1971, he recalled the blowing up of the Sonahat Bridge in Kurigram. “An Indian commander led us in that mission. As I had received bombing training, I was tasked with bombing the bridge. We successfully destroyed it, preventing Pakistani troops from moving freely,” he explained.
Another notable operation he spoke of was the bombing of a train at Halabot, in the Kurigram district. “We planted bombs on the railway tracks and successfully killed 20 to 25 Pakistani soldiers. Though our bombs didn’t completely destroy the train, the damage was significant,” he said.
But despite the bravery shown on the battlefield, Bir Protik Abdul Hai Sarkar feels that the core values of the Liberation War have not been realised. “We fought for the freedom of our nation, for democracy, and for national identity. But after all these years, we still don’t have true freedom. There is no real implementation of the Liberation War’s ideals. July’s movements, revolutions—none of them brought about a revolutionary government.
“The 1972 constitution was meant to set the foundation, but it hasn’t been fulfilled. All we see now is corruption and chaos, with no political party focused on realising the rights of the people. It’s just a race to gain power,” he stated with frustration.
Bir Protik Abdul Hai Sarkar’s poignant words serve as a reminder of the untold stories of many freedom fighters who continue to live with the pain of being overlooked by those they helped liberate. His memories are a testament to the true cost of independence and the ongoing struggle for the ideals it was meant to represent.
