Tajuddin believed state and religion must remain separate: Prof Serajul

Tajuddin Ahmad believed state and religion should remain completely separate in the post-Liberation War era, Dhaka University Emeritus Professor A F Serajul Islam Choudhury said today.

Delivering the Tajuddin Ahmad Memorial Lecture on the birth anniversary of the country's first prime minister at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, Prof Serajul said Tajuddin envisioned a secular society for independent Bangladesh.

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“To him, secularism did not merely mean equal rights for all religions. He believed the state and religion must remain completely separate, with no ties between the two,” he said.

Prof Serajul noted that while Tajuddin desired socialism at heart, he believed a democratic revolution was necessary first.

He highlighted fundamental differences between Tajuddin and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on socialism and democracy.

"The socialism Sheikh Mujib spoke of was national socialism. Sheikh Mujib and his Mujib Bahini followers called themselves national socialists," he said.

Criticising the role of Mujib Bahini during the Liberation War, he said, "Mujib Bahini was not formed to fight the war. It was formed to ensure the leftists could not assume leadership, and to ensure they could take power if Sheikh Mujib did not return after independence."

Highlighting Tajuddin’s opposition to BaKSAL, Prof Serajul recalled that Mujib had sent a proposal through then-law minister Manoranjan Dhar for Tajuddin to become the general secretary of the sole legal party.

"Tajuddin refused, saying, 'I cannot join a party that’s on a suicidal path.' -- Prof Serajul said.

"He told Mujib directly, 'Mujib bhai, the way the country is running, it seems neither you nor I will survive.' Both these statements later came true," he added.

He said Tajuddin was deeply saddened when Mujib granted war criminals a general amnesty and opposed seeking aid from the US.

He praised Tajuddin’s presence of mind and wisdom, calling him the most educated among post-war Awami League leaders.

The programme was chaired by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane. Sharmin Ahmad, founder of the Tajuddin Ahmad Trust Fund, attended as chief guest.