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Bangalee Women
This page is dedicated to 450,000 Bangalee women raped and molested by Pakistani
occupation army, the unrecognized heroines of our Liberation War.
...............It is December now. This was the month when 18 years ago, nine months
after the war I, as part of a bunch of kids, did procession in the backyard tying a piece
of cloth, with red on the dark green and yellow map in the red, on a piece of bamboo,
and uttered:Joy Bangla
In Mymensing, from March until November '71, the head Imam of the big Mosque
has dumped many into the well after slaughtering them in his own hand . It was in
December again when the city people brought out countless corps from the well in
order to find their nearest ones. My relatives went out to search for those who left for
the war, or vanished without for good. Pakistani soldiers looted our properties, burnt
our house before they left, took my father away and bashed him with boots and
bayonets, shot two of my uncles and left their dead bodies on the road, plucked my
brother's right eye out. In December two out of my three uncles, left for the liberation
war, have returned. Sixteen days later, from the Pakistani camp, returned home my 21
year old aunt . Some of the neighbors, who fought for liberation and returned home,
have lost their hands, some their legs. Still December is the month when the relatives
of the cripple war victims became overwhelmed with joy for their homecoming.
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But nobody expected my poor aunt returns home. They all would have been relieved
if she did not. Ever since, I always proudly referred to my father, brother and uncles. I
was proud of our losses. But I never mention my aunt. Today stepping out of all damn
inhibitions, I am proudly saying that: in the darkroom of the military camp ten brutish
lechers (Pakistani soldiers) have incessantly raped my aunt for 16 days.
Our society did not pride on my aunt. In newspapers and magazines, in conferences,
meetings and seminars the big shots went loud about raped women. Their pompous
title "War heroines" for the victim women of war is nothing but a farce in the name of
liberalism.
Although everybody accepted the ravage, the torture by boots and bayonets, even
dreadful deaths unleashed by the war-they did not accept the hapless accident: rape.
In December, when the political leaders were shouting outside for the honor of the
raped mothers and sisters, then in December, the month of our victory, as the last
resort to keep her honor: my aunt hanged herself on the wooden beam of their
house.
Taslima Nasreen: Nirbachita Columns (p25-26)
Women in Liberation War
Armed parade by members of Students' Union, NAP(M)-CP (7 Mar 71)
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Armed parade by members of Awami Students' League (1971)
Daughters of fire
Sarala Debi
One of the gurus (inspirers) of anti Britsh armed movement in India (Bangla). She
played a great role in forming the network of Anushilan Samitis in all major towns in
united Bangla between 1900-1910. She worked hand in hand with the other inspirers
of the movement: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo Ghose, Sister Nibedita, Peter
Kropotkin and Kakuzo Okakura.
Preeti Lata Waddadar (1911-32)
Preetilata was born on 5 May 1911 in the Dholaghat village of Chittagong. Her
father's name was Jagabandhu Wadddadar, the head clerk of Chittagong Municipality.
Her mum Protibha Waddadar was a patron of the local revolutionaries and a supporterof Swadeshi movement. In 1927 Preetilata obtained her SSC in first division from Dr
Khastogir Girls' College. Then she moved to Dhaka for her HSC studies and enrolled
in Eden College. As a student of Eden Girls College, Preetilata joined theDeepali
Sangha, a Dhaka based womens revolutionary organization.In 1929 Preetilata topped
among the female students in HSC exam. Due to her outstanding result Preetilata was
awarded Tk 20.00 monthly scholarship from the board of education. The financial
support enabled Preetilata to pursue her higher studies in Kolkata, the then center of
culture and education of united Bangla. In Kolkata, Preetilata succeeded in enrolling
in the prestigious Bethune College. As a member of the Revolutionary party Preetilata
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immediately formed a student front of the revolutionary party with a couple of her
classmates. Her group raised money to support the Chittagong based revolutionaries
and organized a readers' forum to promote patriotic spirit among the college students.
On the direction of the party high command PL bought explosive implements from
underground factories in Kolkata and took the explosives to Chittagong. Her mates atBethune College, Kalpana Datta, Sarojini Pal, Kumudini Rakkhit, Renuka Ray,
and Kamala Mukherjee helped Preetilata in her mission. In 1930 Preetilata, instead of
seating for BA (hons), sat for BA (pass) exam and passed BA with distinction. On her
return to Chittagong Preetilata started her teaching career and joined as the principal
of a newly established English medium school, Aparna Charan Girls High
School.Preetilata was a member ofJugantar-a secret revolutionary organization.
The death of comrade Ardhendu Dastidar in the Jalalabad hill war on 22 April 1930
spurred her commitment to revolutionary causes. On 13 June 1932 Preetilata secretly
met Master Da Surya Sen, the legendary Bangalee revolutionary, at the residence of
Sabitri Debi of Dholaghat. In the meeting Preetilata demanded that girls should be
given equal opportunity in armed revolutionary activities. She argued that many
young people have already given their lives for the freedom of the motherland, now it
was the time for the girls to embrace the same fate of honor.
The task for attacking the European Club in Chittagong was initially assigned to rebel
Shaileshwar Chakraborty which he failed to carry out twice for various reasons. In
September 1932 Surya Sen came to South Kattali village to discuss the strategies and
tactics for attacking the European Club. On the instruction from the party high
command Preetilata and Kalpana Datta, wearing men's clothes in order to escape the
British spies, headed for the secret meeting called by Surya Sen. Unfortunately
Kalpana was arrested at Pahartali but Preetilata managed to skip the British spies. In
the meeting Surya Sen told Preetilata that she was nominated to lead the attack on the
European Club on 23 September 1932 and the other members of her team were:
1. Shanti Chakraborty (Kattali) 2. Kali Dey (Gosail Danga) 3. Sushil Dey (Dharala)
4. Prafulla Das ((Kattali) 5. Mahendra Chaudhury (Mohra).
At 2145 hrs on 23 September Surya Sen, with one of his body guards, came to Kattali
to wish luck to his comrades for the success of the operation. At 2200 hrs Preetilata
and her comrades, all wearing military uniforms, took farewell from the commander
and marched off to carry out the operation. Soon they reached the European Club and
took position in the bush near the club. They were carrying rifles robbed from the
British armories, pistols and macerates in their waists and bombs in their haversacks.
The British colonial officers were having a great time inside the club while Preetilata's
team was preparing the attack. The gate of the club was protected by armed guards.On receivingMorse codedsignal from the chef of the club kitchen Preetilata stormed
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the club firing shots on the armed guards at the gate and shouting "Charge". Her
comrades joined her and kept shooting on the club. Preetilata lead the attack and threw
a bomb through the main gate as soon as she reached the gate. The Britons were
bewildered at the sudden armed attack and ran their heads off to save their asses. An
Englishman tried to play James Bond and threw goblets to the rebels. Preetilata shothim and sent his soul to merry old England.
But soon the military reinforcement from the nearby cantonment came for rescue.
Under-equipped to fight the military Preetilata signaled her comrades to retreat. They
followed her command and retreated. A few minutes later Preetilata went back to
make sure that all her comrades were ok. The group of partisans soon reached the rail
line near the club covered by the team leader who followed them to ensure a safe
retreat. They were heading for Pahartali bazaar because Kattali village is very close to
the bazaar. As the rebels were heading to the bazaar a young Englishman, who hid in
the gutter to escape the attack, shot at Preetilata. The bullet hit Preetilata on her chest
and she dropped on the road bleeding profusely. But Preetilata was a born rebel and
was determined not to surrender to the British colonists so the valiant rebel took out
the cyanide pill and swallowed it.
Suniti Chaudhuri
Comilla. Executed the notorious British District magistrate to free East Bangla from
British colonial rules.
Santi Ghose Das (1916).
Daughter of a Comilla College teacher, Santi was a member of theJugantar
arty. Sentenced to life imprisonment for killing the district magistrate, CGB Stevens.
Santi later joined the Congress on her release from the prison
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Kalpana Datta Joshi (1913 b)
Bornin Chittagong, Kalpana became an active member of ChittagongJugantar party
after the famous armory raid led by Master Da. Arrested along with Master Da and
Tarekeshwar Dastidar from their hiding place after a fierce battle with a
police/military squad, Kalpana was transported to the Andamans. After her release
from the penal colony, Kalpana joined the communist party and married PC Joshi aprominent communist leader.
Bina Das Bhaumik (1911)
An arts graduate, Bina was connected with Calcutta Chhatri Sangha, a quasi
revolutionary organization for young girls. Was sentenced to nine years imprisonment
for her failed attempt on the life of the Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, in 1932
at the annual convocation meeting of Calcutta University. Following her release in
1938, Bina joined the Congress party and was elected the secretary of South Calcutta
Congress Committee. Later Bina became a member of West Bangla Rajyo Sobha.
Bina married Jyotish Chandra Bhaumik, her comrade at arms and a college teacher.
Uzzala Majumder
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Leelabati Nag Roy (1909-70)
Daughter of a deputy magistrate, Leelabati was an active member of the Shree
Sangha which she joined in 1925. Leela led theDeepali Sangha, a revolutionary
organization of women with its headquarters in Dhaka and a branch in Calcutta where
it was known as Chhatri Sangha. Leela later married Anil Baran Roy, the leader of
Shree Sagha and eventually both of them joined the Forward Bloc.Manorama Basu Masima
Educationist, social worker
Ila Mitra
Leader of Tebhaga movement. For her participation in the cultivator's movement, she
was brutally tortured by the Pakistani government and was forced to leave
Bangladesh. Click here forIla Mitra page
Rashmoni Hajong
A top rebel leader of Tonk Movement against the local feudal lords and their master
the forces of British imperialism. Tonk was a demand of the portion of the harvest the
on the cultivators by the feudal lords irrespective of their produce for the seasson. The
poor cultivators could hardly afford the amount of crops demanded by the lords. So to
claim their due the lords used to send their men guarded by British police to get their
cut of the produce. The demand being unjustified the Hajongs often resisted them
resulting in big fights with the police. Comrade Monisingha was the key organiser of
the Tonk movement. The Hajong society is a matriarchal society and as such Hajongwomen are traditionally more active and industrious than Hajong men. So the Hajong
movement against the British imperialism is unique in the history of Bangla in that it
was a movemnt comprised and led by women.
On 31 January 1946, the forces of Eastern Rifles raided the Kolagora village to bash
and capture the Hajong youth. But failing to find any as they all left fearing the olice
raid, the police kidnapped a Hajong young girl, housewife Kumudini, 18 of Baheratoli
village. As they were forcibly dragging the girl, her screams reached the leader of the
Hajong Women Force, Rashmoni Hajong. She was in a meeting with her fellow
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activists, Distamoni and Shanko Moni. Both of them advised Rashmoni Hajong not to
take a hasty action against the British police force. They wanted to develop some
strategy to fight the police and free Kumudini. But the Rashmoni did not want to
waste time devising strategies. She sprang like a tiger saying A womans dignity is
at stake! What to ponder on it! We must act quick! You can think as much as youwant. Im going to save her.....Rashmoni Hajong ran out with a few of her fellow
activists to free Kumudini from the grip of the imperial police force. Surendra,
another Hajong rebel leader followed her with his men to free Rashmoni. A fierce but
uneven battle ensued: between the imperial police armed with rifles and the local
Hajongs with stick and knives. After a few hours of bloody battle the rebels managed
to free Kumudini but at the expense of the lives of both Surendra and Rashmoni.
Rashmoni Hajong was the first women hero of the Hajong movement.
Freedom Fighters
Monika Matin-Sirajgonj
Taramon Bibi
Kakon Bibi
Rawshan Ara Begum: A teenager who jumped on the Paki tank wearing a powerfulmine exploding a whole Paki platoon.
Shirin Banu Mitil: Hails from Pabna, Shirin was the president of Pabna Students'
Union in 1971. Shirin was involved in the Pabna Resistance Movement. Mujib's 7th
March speech inspired her so much that she took part in erecting road barricades along
the major roads of Pabna town to obstruct the raid of Paki army. Following Mujib's
declaration of liberation war on 26th March, 1971, the male members of her party
signed in for liberation war. Shirin could not stand the fact that being a girl was her
main barrier to join the war. Her brother came ahead to rescue her from herpsychological dilemma and advised her to join the war under the guise of a man as
rebel Preeti Lata did during the anti British movement. Past all hesitation Shirin joined
the war the next day: dressed as a man. On April 9, Shirin carried out her assignment
at a Control room in Pabna. Concealing her identity, she did everything for the war
hand in hand with her male comrade at arms. Late in the war she looked after a group
of freedom fighters from Rajshahi. Then Shirin went to Kolkata and involved in
organistional activities to support the liberation war.
Kazi Tamanna: Daughter of a progressive journalist, Kazi Idris, Tamanna was
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involved in all the political movements leading to the liberation war since the Mass
Movement of 1969. With the help of her freedom fighter fianc and later husband
Golam Rabbani, Tamanna crossed the border via Chandina and went to Agartala,
India. From Agartala Tamanna went to the Head Office of the Provincial government
of Bangladesh at 8 Theatre Road, Kolkata. She then met Tajuddin Ahmed and soughta job to help the freedom fighters. Tajuddin Ahmed immediately appointed her as a
doctor. Tamanna committed herself in helping the injured freedom fighters. Days after
days, nights after nights Tamanna was beside the injured freedom fighters helping
them to achieve their dreams of a free motherland. During her breaks Tamanna took
part in the plays for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro to boost the morales of the
freedom fighters and the fellow countrymen captive in their homeland by the barbaric
Paki troops.
Shahin Samad: The artists and the cultural activists were at the fore front o
Liberation Movement. Chhayanot had a great contribution in boosting and sustaining
the spirit of liberation war. I was a student of Chhayanot and as such I participated in
on stage, sang patriotic songs on the streets to inspire and mobilize the masses. I
wanted to join the war, but the family did not allow me to. So one night I fled from
home, dead at night, with my band and went straight to the Lenin Sarani in Kolkata.
There I met Sanjida Khatun, Wahidul Haq, Aly Zaker, Mostafa Manwar, Dalia, Naila,
Lubna and others. Together they formed the Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Sangstha'
(The Revolutionary Organization for the Liberation of Bangladesh), Sanjida Khatun
was the president of this organization, Mahmudur Rahman Benu the general secretary.
The artists of Kolkata came out to help us. They formed a forum to support the causes
of Bangladesh' The Association of artists, writers and intellectuals in for a free
Bangladesh, The president of the assoc was Tara Shankar Bando, and GS were
Manindra Ray, Nirendro Nath Chakraborty and Dipendro Nath Bando. we used to
rehearse at Dipen Da's residence."
Asha Lata Baidya
Safia KhatunRowshan Akter Lili
Jahanara Begum Alo
Kanchan Mala
Saleha Begum
Sarifa Khatun
Johra Khatun
Ambia Khatun
Saleha Begum
Pushpa Rani Halder
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Momela Begum
Rokeya Begum Hena
Shirin Sahnewaz
Rokeya Khatun: Baghar Para Jessore
Fatema: Khatun Baghar Para JessoreSakhina Begum
Tahera Begum
Mirashi Begum
Jahan Ara Begum
Marjina Bawa
Mahmuda Khanam
Meherun Nesa Mira
Halima Khatun
Urmila Ray
Begum Sufia Kamal: Poet, Feminist, Organizer
Jahan Ara Imam
Mother of a famous freedom fighter, Rumi. A great supporter and contributor to theliberation of Bangladesh, Ms Imam lost both her son and husband for the great cause.
In the hey days of the Razakars promoted by post 1975 governments, this formidable
mother organized the Nirmul Committee, the committee for elimination of the killers
and collaborators of 1971.
Here are brief events that turned Jahanara Imam from being the mother of martyr
Rumi to Shahid Janani of the entire nation.
1978: 11th July War Criminal Golam Azam entered Bangladesh (after general Zia set
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up the ground by amending the constitution) with a Pakistani passport with visa given
on humanitarian grounds to see his ailing mother. But he stayed back with the
blessings of general Zia and resumed organising the hitherto banned Islamic
fundamentalist: Jamaat-e-Islam.
1991: 29th December Golam Azam, still a Pakistani citizen, elected the Amir of
Jamaat-e-Islam. Despite the nationwide protest against Golams officially chairing the
political party Khaleda Zia (general Zias widow) government ignored the
constitutional violation on the part of the Jamaatis.
1992: 1st January Formation of Ekattorer Ghatak Dala Nirmul committee
(committee for the elimination of the war criminals and collaborators of 71) under the
leadership of Jahanara Imam with cooperation other leaders of the society. A
committee of 101 persons who were the signatory of declaration condemning Jamataction as illegal and freshly raising demand for trying war criminals. The committee
next announced that a public trial would be held to try the war criminals of the
liberation war on 26th March, the 21st anniversary of our independence.
1992: 2nd February National coordination Committee was formed (Ekattorer Ghatak
Dala Nirmul committee and Muktiyuddher Chetana Bastabayan committee joined
hands together to launch countrywide movement for trial of war criminals)
1992: 24th March Golam Azam was arrested and sent to Dhaka central jail by theKhaleda Zia government. He was given VIP treatment inside the jail. Simultaneously
the ministry of internal affairs warned Mrs. Jahanara Begum and her leading
colleagues of severe consequences of the movement. The authority further pointed out
that formation of Public tribunal and proposed trial of Golam Azam and his parterns in
crime would violate the constitution of the country. Such action would be treated by
the government as tantamount to taking laws in their own hands. For this reason the
agitators would be liable to be prosecuted. Later on the BNP government of Khaleda
Zia filed a case of sedition against martyr motherJahanara Imam and her 24
distinguished colleagues who led the movement. They were all produced before DM
magistrate where they were granted bails.
1992: 26th March The verdict of public trial was proclaimed by Shahid Janani
Jahanara Imam, Chairperson of the tribunal, on behalf of all the judges of the public
court, in Shahid Surwardy Uddan in a massive peoples rally where millions
participated.
1993: 4th April Left Dhaka for USA for cancer treatment.
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1994: 26th June Passed away with still case of sedition against her.
1994: 7th July Burial at Dhaka Intellectual cemetery.
Jahanara Imams last message to the nation written from her deathbed before shemerged with eternity.
My Appeal and Directives to the people of Bangladesh
(From Shahid Janani Jahanara Imam)
My fellow warriors,
You have been fighting the evil forces of Golam Azam and his war criminals of 1971,
along with the detractors of a free Bangladesh for the last three years. As a nation of
Bangalees, your unity and courage has been unparallel. I was with you at the start of
our struggle. Our resolve was to remain in battle until we had achieved our objective.
Stricken with the fatal disease of cancer, I am now facing my final days. I have kept
my resolve. I did not leave the battle. But I cannot stop the inevitable march of death.
Therefore, I once again remind you of our resolve to fight until our goal is attained.
You must fulfill your commitment. You must stand united and fight to the very end.
Even though I will not be among you. I will know that you--- my millions of Bangalee
children---- will live in a free Golden Bengal with your sons and
daughters.
We still have a long and arduous road ahead. People from all walks of life has joined
this battle. People from different political and cultural groups, freedom fighters,
women, and students, and youths have all committed themselves to the battle. And I
know that there is no one more committed than the people. People are power. So I
commit the responsibility of the fight to bring Golam Azam and the war criminals of
1971 to justice and to continue to champion the Spirit of the Liberation War to you---
the people of Bangladesh. For certain, victory will be ours.
ahanara Imam
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Matia Chowdhury
Legendry students' leader of the mass movement of 1969. For her formidable
leadership of the students in the mass movement she was accorded the title,
"Daughter of fire". A politician committed to the welfare of the poor masses, Matiahails from Mymensingh.
Taslima Nasreen: Famous Bangalee feminist. By profession a doctor, Taslima hailsfrom Mymensingh. A leading poet, novelist and columnist, Taslima voices the
sufferings of Bangladeshi women in a predominantly patriarchal society. Due to the
threat of persecution by the Islamic fundamentalist groups combined with the
rejection of Bangladeshi male chauvinists, Taslima is presently living in exile.Click
here for Taslima's site.
Great Bangalee Women
Begum Rokeya (1880-1932)
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born into a Bengali Muslim upper-class family in the
small village of Pairaband in the district of Rangpur, north of present day Bangladesh,
then a part of the colonial British province of Bengal Presidency. Her date of birth is
not known. However, a nephew of hers posits Dec. 9, 1880.
Her mother was Rahatunnessa Sabera Chowdhurani. Not much is known of her except
that she strictly followed purdah as Rokeya mentioned in dedicating to her The
Secluded Ones, some humorous essays that expose some ridiculous consequences of
the practice of Purdah. Her father was Zahiruddin Mohammad Abu Ali Saber, a well-
educated, influential landowner whose massive estate was a stronghold for thetraditional way of life. Rokeya had two brothers (Abul Asad Ibrahim Saber and
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Khalilur Rahman Abu Jaigam Saber) and two sisters (Karimunessa and Humaira).
Being boys, her brothers were first educated at home (as was the tradition) then sent to
St. Xavier's, one of Calcutta's most prestigious colleges.
Rokeya and her sisters only received traditional education at home. As it was thetradition in high-class Muslim families, girls learned to read Arabic (so as to be able to
read the Koran) and Urdu (in order to read the popular books on "feminine" conduct).
They were kept from learning Bengali and English precisely because they were
spoken by non-Muslims as well. This was one way of keeping these women from
being "contaminated" by the radical ideas from outside their religio-economic group.
Going against the grain, Rokeya's oldest brother, who was exposed to Western
education, was in favor of educating women. He secretly taught Rokeya English and
Bengali at home.
In 1896, Ibrahim was instrumental in the family marrying off Rokeya at age 16 to a
widower in his late 30's, Syed Sakhawat Hossain, who was then a district magistrate
in the Bihar region of Bengal Presidency. Ibrahim was impressed with Syed's open-
mindedness. Syed was educated both locally and in London. Rokeya and her husband
settled in Bhagalpur, Bihar. None of her children lived. Syed, who was convinced that
the education of women was the best way to cure the ills of his society, encouraged
his all-too-willing wife to write, and set aside 10,000 rupees to start a school for
Muslim women. In 1909, 11 years after they had been married, Syed died and Rokeya
immediately started the school in Bhagalpur in his memory.
In 1910, a feud over family property with her step-daughter's husband caused her to
close down the school in Bhagalpur, abandon her house, and move to Calcutta where
she re-opened the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School on March 16, 1911. The number
of students went from 8 in 1911 to 84 in 1915. In 1917, the school was inspected by
Lady Chelmsford, wife of the Governor General and Vicerory of India. After that,
prominent people supported the school. By 1930, the school had evolved into a high
school (10 grades) where Bengali and English were regular courses. In Calcutta, she
became very involved in civil affairs. In 1916, she founded the Anjuman-e-Khawatin-
e-Islam, Bangla (Bengali Muslim Women's Association). In 1926, Rokeya presided
over the Bengal Women's Education Conference held in Calcutta. She was active in
debates and conferences concerning the advancement of women until her death in
December 9, 1932, shortly after presiding over a session during the Indian Women's
Conference in Aligarh. Her death was grieved by many male and female Hindu and
Muslim activists, including educators as well as liberal leaders of her country. In
December of 1932, Rokeya was working on an essay entitled Narir Adhikar (The
Rights of Women) which remained unfinished.
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Her legacy is that of a Muslim woman who was born and raised in purdah. Yet, she
was able to rise beyond the limitations that her society placed upon her. With the help
of her "liberal" brother and husband, she was not only able to write (in Bengali and
English) but took significant steps to educate the women in her country.
Toru Datta (1856-77)
Works: two volumes of verse, an incomplete novel (Bianca) in English, one novel in
French, critical essays on Henry Derozio and Leonte de Lisle in Bengal
Magazine, pieces in a dozen European and Indian journals, all before she was twenty
one.
Torus first volume was A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876), a 200 page
anthology of French verse in English translation (and a few pieces of Heinrich Heines
German poetry translated into English from their French versions), done incollaboration with her sister Aru Dutt who died even younger. Torus second and
posthumous volume of poems, Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1882) was
published in 1882 by the respected British publisher Kegan Paul.
In her poetry she focused on Indian women, the lower caste, children and other
marginal creatures.
Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949)
Works: The Bird of Time (1912)
Influence: Urdu gazal, Radha Krishna lore, Swinburne, lyric forms of fin-de-siecle
British poets.
The Pardah Nashin
Her life is a revolving dream
Of languid and sequestered ease;
Her girdles and her fillets gleamLike changing fires on sunset seas;
Her raiment is like morning mist,
Shot opal, gold and amethyst.
From thieving light of eyes impure.
From coveting sun or winds caress,
Her days are guarded and secure
Behind her carven lattices,
Like jewels in a turbaned crest
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Like secrets in a lovers breast.
But through no hand unsanctioned dares
Unveil the mysteries of her grace,
Time lifts the curtain unawaresnd sorrow looks into her face.
Who shall prevent the subtle years,
Or shield a womans eyes from tears.
Selina Banu
Daughter of Khan Bahadur Wasim Uddin, an influential and liberal Muslim from
Pabna and the chairman of Pabna district board, Selina Banu hails from Pabna. She
entered the student politics in the 40s. She was the General Secretary of the Awami
Womens League. She was one of the elected MLAs of the United Front.
Later in the Kagmari conference, in which Maulana Bhasani resigned from Muslim
Awami Legume due to Suhrawardi's pro American stance, Selina Banu was one of the
nine MLAs that resigned and sided with Bhasani in the protest. When National
Awami Party was formed in 1957, Selina Banu joined NAP. She was a central
committee member of all Pakistan NAP. She was also the president of the Pabna Zilla
NAP.
She married her distant cousin Khandakar Mr. Shahjahan from Tangail. Mr.Shahjahan was also a member of the communist party. After partition Mr. Shahjahan
quit CPB but continued to support the socialist and progressive causes. Later in her
life Selina Banu moved to Comilla and worked as the principal of a local girls' school.
During the liberation war Selina participated in the war with many of her family
members. Her daughter Shirin Banu Mitil was a valiant freedom fighter who fought in
man's disguise in the front rows of the war.
She was unpretentious, non-communal, committed to the welfare of the community
especially the women and children in poverty and misery.
Selina Parvin: Poet, Journalist
Martyr intellectual. Killed by the collaborators of Pakistani army on the eve of our
independence.
Dr Nilima Ibrahim
organiser and contributor to our liberation, writer
Suchitra Mitra. Singer, Phonetician.
-
7/29/2019 Female Bengali Freedom Fighters
17/17
Mahashweta Debi: novelist
Gayatri Chakraborty Spivak
literary critic, academic: Marxism, deconstruction, post structuralism, feminism, post-
colonial literature.
Ketaki Kushari Dyson
literary critic, poet, most celebrated translator of Tagore's poems.
Basanti Guha Thakurata: educationist, writer
Begum Mustari Shafi: Writer, Editor, Bandhabi.
Noor Zahan Begum: editor of first Bengali (BD) weekly magazine for women.
Minakshee Mukherjee: Critic
Rijia Rahman: novelsit
Aparna Sen: editor, film director
Selina Hossain: novelist
Dilara Hashim: novelist
Novera Ahmed: sculptor
Shamim Shikder: Feminist, sculptorBibi Russell (Maksuda Khanam): Model, designer
Kanak Chanpa Chakma: Painter
Susmita Sen: Miss Universe
Jhumpa Lahiri: Novelsit
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