The Sayem ministry led what eventually became the first interim government in independent Bangladesh and an unofficial model for future interim regimes. It was formed on 8 November 1975,[1] following the assassination of Brig. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf on 7 November amid a nationwide soldier and public uprising against his 3 November coup d'état.[2][3] After a three-day coup with support of some high-ranking officers and his Dhaka Brigade,[4] Mosharraf had forced Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, who, following the 15 August coup that assassinated the founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,[5] replaced him as President of Bangladesh with support of the mid-ranking assassin officers, to resign.[6] Chief Justice Sayem, with the constitutional requirement for the direct election of the president and role of the vice-president as acting president suspended by Mostaq under a martial law proclamation,[7] had been installed in his place.[6][8] With Mosharraf's death the responsibility of CMLA (Chief Martial Law Administrator) fell on Sayem.[4]
Sayem ministry | |
---|---|
![]() Interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh | |
26 November 1975–12 June 1978 | |
![]() Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem | |
Date formed | 8 November 1975 |
Date dissolved | 29 June 1978 |
People and organisations | |
President | Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem Ziaur Rahman (acting) |
President's history | ASM Sayem Former Chief Justice of Bangladesh (1972–75) Ziaur Rahman Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army (since 1975) Chief Martial Law Administrator (since 1976) |
Vice-President | Abdus Sattar |
No. of ministers | 21 |
Total no. of members | 31 |
Member parties | Military Independent Awami League Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal |
Status in legislature | Dissolved |
History | |
Election | - |
Outgoing election | 1978 (presidential) |
Predecessor | Mostaq |
Successor | Zia |
Following the first-ever dissolution of the Jatiya Sangsad on 7 November,[9] the cabinet was initially set up as a military junta with the recently promoted armed forces chiefs, notably the chief of army staff autocratic hero Ziaur Rahman, who had been usurped and put under house arrest by Mosharraf during the coup,[2][10] as the CMLA's deputies.[4][8][10]
At Bangabhaban on 26 November 1975, the president administered oath to a newly formed council of advisers defacto headed by the junta. He promised a general election in February 1977 in a presidential speech addressed to the nation,[8] but in November 1976, with the country in a dire situation with no stability and security, indefinitely postponed it and relinquished his CMLA duty with Zia nominated to succeed.[4][9] 5 months later on 21 April 1977,[9][11] when Sayem retired on health grounds,[12] in the absence of a vice-president in office Zia decided to act as president. Forty days later he organised a nationwide presidential confidence referendum to legitimise his presidency.[9][10] In June, the President's special assistant Abdus Sattar was promoted to the office of vice-president and on 9 December, the council of advisers was reorganised with three dismissals and seven new appointments.[9]
After coming to power, Zia immediately moved to restore law and order in the country by strengthening the police force, practically doubling its size and arranging for their proper training, as well as order in the armed forces and withdrew the ban on the newspapers inaugurating the free flow of news by making the information media free and without government interference.[4][10] An ordinance allowing political parties to engage in open politics was promulgated reversing the ban imposed on them by Mujibur Rahman months prior to his assassination.[4][10] Zia organised his own party in February 1978 called the Jatiyotabadi Gonotantrik Dol ("Nationalist Democratic Party"), or JaGoDol for short, and in the presidential election – the first direct election – that year, his candidacy was supported by his and five other parties of the nationalist "Jatiyatabadi Front".[13] He achieved a landslide victory against his wartime superior, retired commander-in-chief MAG Osmani,[10] whose candidacy was supported by the then-dominant Awami League and five other parties of the socialist "Ganatantrik Oikkya Jote ("Alliance of Democratic Unity")".[13]
The cabinet was dissolved on 29 June 1978, once Zia formed his provisional Council of Ministers before the pending general election scheduled to be held next year.[1]
Background
edit15 August 1975 coup d'état
editThe military coup in Bangladesh on August 15 of 1975 was launched by mid-ranking army officers in order to assassinate founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,[14][15] whose administration post-independence grew corrupt and authoritarian until he unscrupulously established a one-party state led by the socialist BaKSAL.[16][17] Mujib, along with his resident family members, was killed during the coup but was survived by his two then-expat daughters, one of them being future prime minister Sheikh Hasina.[18][19] The officers were led by Capt. Abdul Majed, Maj. Syed Faruque Rahman, Maj. Khandaker Abdur Rashid and Maj. Shariful Haque Dalim.[18]
Immediately following the coup, one of Mujib's close associates and cabinet ministers Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, with support of the officers, took control of the government and declared himself President of Bangladesh.[20] Under martial law, he made a proclamation on 20 August to amend the constitution to omit the provision for the legal basis for one-party system.[21] He reportedly praised the assassin officers, calling them "Children of the Sun", and proclaimed the Indemnity Ordinance, which granted them immunity from prosecution.[22][23]3 November counter coup
edit7 November revolution
editMembers
editThe following lists the president(s), the vice-president(s) and the special assistant(s) to the president:[1]
Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office |
---|---|---|---|
President, CMLA (until 1976) and also in-charge of꞉
| 6 November 1975 | 21 April 1977 | |
President (acting), CMLA and also in-charge of꞉
| Lt. Gen. Ziaur Rahman | 21 April 1977 | 12 June 1978 |
Special Assistant to the President (until 1977) Vice-president (since 1977) and also in-charge of: | 27 November 1975 | 29 June 1978 | |
Women's Affairs Assistant to the President (until 1977) Women's Affairs Adviser to the President (since 1977) | 13 April 1976 | 29 June 1978 |
List of advisers
editThe following lists the advisers of the interim government:[1][31]
Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office |
---|---|---|---|
Deputy CMLA (until 1976) CMLA (since 1976) and also in-charge of Establishment Division Adviser for꞉ | Lt. Gen. Ziaur Rahman | 8 November 1975 | 21 April 1977 |
Adviser for Communications | R.ADM. M. H. Khan[a] | 8 November 1975 | 9 December 1977 |
Adviser for Power, Water Resources and Flood Control | R.ADM. M. H. Khan[a] | 8 November 1975 | 9 December 1977 |
9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Education | 26 November 1975 | 22 June 1977 | |
22 June 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Jute | 26 November 1975 | 5 August 1977 | |
5 August 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Land Administration and Land Reform | 26 November 1975 | 9 December 1977 | |
9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Public Works and Urban Development | 26 November 1975 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Planning | 26 November 1975 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Health and Population Control | 4 December 1975 | 8 December 1977 | |
9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Relief and Rehabilitation | 4 December 1975 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Industries | 23 January 1976 | 10 July 1977 | |
10 July 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Manpower Development, Labour and Social Welfare | 18 June 1976 | 8 December 1977 | |
9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Agriculture and Forest | 18 June 1976 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Petroleum (and Mineral Resources since 1977) | A.V.M. A. G. Mahmud[a] | 6 September 1976 | 12 July 1977 |
12 July 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Food | A.V.M. A. G. Mahmud[a] | 6 September 1976 | 14 July 1977 |
14 July 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Information and Broadcasting | 18 September 1976 | 12 October 1977 | |
12 October 1977 | 29 June 1978 | ||
Adviser for Commerce | 27 December 1976 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Foreign Affairs | 25 March 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Textiles | 28 June 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Railways, Roads, Bridges and Road Transport | Maj. Gen. M. Majid-ul-Haque | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 |
Adviser for Ports, Shipping and Inland Water Transport | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Deputy Adviser for Home Affairs | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Deputy Adviser for Agriculture and Forest | 9 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Adviser for Posts, Telegraph and Telephone | 30 December 1977 | 29 June 1978 | |
Deputy Adviser for Health and Population Control | 13 April 1978 | 29 June 1978 |
See also
edit- Shahabuddin Ahmed ministry (interim 1990–91)
- Yunus ministry (interim 2024-)
- Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
- 3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état
- 7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état
- National Revolution and Solidarity Day
- Elections in Bangladesh
- List of cabinets of Bangladesh
- Government of Bangladesh
- Politics of Bangladesh
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "১৯৭১ সাল থেকে ০৭-০১-২০১৯ গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি, উপ-রাষ্ট্রপতি, প্রধানমন্ত্রী ও মন্ত্রিপরিষদের সদস্যবৃন্দ এবং নির্দলীয় তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা ও উপদেষ্টা পরিষদের সদস্যবৃন্দের দপ্তর বন্টনসহ নামের তালিকা।" (PDF). মন্ত্রিপরিষদ বিভাগ. Ministry Department, Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Jail killing: An attempt to cripple Bangladesh". The Daily Star. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Khaled Mosharraf Killing: An Eyewitness Account". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
- ^ a b c d e f Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Rahman, Shahid Ziaur". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Shaikh, Rukunuddin (30 April 2022). "Expectation vs Reality: A Dystopian Presentation of Bangladesh under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Neamat Imam's The Black Coat". The Creative Launcher. 7 (2): 108–114. doi:10.53032/tcl.2022.7.2.14. ISSN 2455-6580.
- ^ a b Borders, William (6 November 1975). "President of Bangladesh Resigns, Nearly 3 Months After Coup, in Confrontation With Military Officers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 August 2020 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Bari, M. Ershadul (1989). "The imposition of martial law in Bangladesh, 1975: a legal study". Dhaka University Law Journal. 1 (1): 69.
- ^ a b c "When Caesar died . . . and with him all the tribunes". The Daily Star. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
- ^ a b c d e Preston, Ian (2005) [First published 2001]. A Political Chronology of Central, South and East Asia. Europa Publications. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-85743-114-8.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ziaur Rahman: From sector commander to president". 30 May 2009.
- ^ Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Sayem, Justice Abusadat Mohammad". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "April 22, 1977, Forty Years Ago". The Indian Express. 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2018-07-21.
- ^ a b M. A. Singammal (1979) "1978 presidential election in Bangla Desh", The Indian Journal of Political Science, volume 40, number 1, pp97–110
- ^ "Mu jib Reported Overthrown and Killed in a Coup by the Bangladesh Military". The New York Times. 15 August 1975.
- ^ "Bangladesh Coup: A Day of Killings". The New York Times. 23 August 1975.
- ^ Maniruzzaman, Talukder (1975). "Bangladesh: An Unfinished Revolution?". The Journal of Asian Studies. 34 (4). Cambridge University Press: 891–911. doi:10.2307/2054506. ISSN 0021-9118. JSTOR 2054506. S2CID 154434833.
- ^ a b Mannan, Abdul (15 August 2022). "Bangabandhu's assassination: The enemy within". The Daily Star.
- ^ "Aug 15 in world media". The Daily Star. 2009-11-19. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- ^ "Muhammad Ali in Bangladesh: 35 Years Ago The Champ Visited A New Nation In Turmoil". International Business Times. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Proclamation". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Tripathi, Salil. "Of course, we killed him ... he had to go". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Ahmad, Khondakar Mostaq". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Shame darker than the night". The Daily Star. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Chowdhury, R. (1 November 2019). "Bangladesh: National Revolution and Solidarity Day, its Significance and its Precursor (With inside stories)". South Asia Journal (30). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir, eds. (2012). "Taher, Colonel Abu". Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh Observes National Revolution and Solidarity Day". VoA (in Bengali). 7 November 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "When Gen Zia betrayed Col Taher". The Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
- ^ a b "The shadow of November 7, 1975". The Daily Star. 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
- ^ "Taher's execution was murder in cold blood". The Daily Star. 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
- ^ Rahman, Syedur (2010-04-27). Historical Dictionary of Bangladesh. Scarecrow Press. pp. 310–8. ISBN 978-0-8108-7453-4.