পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (প্রথম খণ্ড).pdf/২৭৫

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ প্রথম খণ্ড
২৫০

Sir, at present the question that has come up before the House has not been the unseating of Government. Government did nothing, but some of our Members have tabled resolutions to the effect that Bengali should be recognized as one of the State languages of Pakistan. My friend, Mr. Nur Ahmed, who will pardon me if I say that he is a machine for turning out resolutions at the rate of 100 per hour and amendments at a similar rate. He could not have left this occasion to go without tabling a resolution. Moreover, being an inhabitant of Chittagong, for the feelings of the most violent character he has only done his duty in bringing this motion before the House. So let us now understand the position. What is that the Government have decided? Government have fully realized that there is behind this demand of Bengali being one of the State languages, the 'Voice of 90 million of the people of Pakistan. At the same time, the question can be looked at from various point of view. It takes time to consider and come to a definite decision. All that the Government proposes is that the question should not be decided here and now by the mere majority of votes, but that time should be taken into consideration to see that question is gone into in all its aspects and decided finally as to what should be the language or the languages of Pakistan. I do not very much like the phrase4 in due course'. As things at present stand, I feel that; 'due course[১] may not come in the near future. It may be that the English language may continue to be the State language for five or eight years. We do not know what will happen, but whatever the reasons, if the Government motion is held today. We will not allow Government to sleep over this question. We will face an issue the next time when the Assembly meets. All this time we will have ample opportunities of mobilizing the public opinion in East Pakistan and if we succeed in showing to the world that the people of East Pakistan have not only got a very good case; but also they have got public opinion behind their demand, I am sure the Government will have to look into it, whatever may be any personal views in this matter.

 Mr. President: I may remove a misconception. Here the Government is not represented. All members represent themselves.

 Mr.A.K. Fazlul Haque: “Sir, that is theory. So whatever it may be, the remarks I make here apply to Honorable Pirzada. Whatever may be case, I am placing certain facts. I am saying that after coming to Karachi I looked at this question from various points of view. At present my estimate is that Government has got a majority in the House. If we force a decision we are likely to lose and if we lose we lose this cause for ever, because it is not only the members of the Constituent Assembly, but a member, of that section of the Constituent Assembly who dealt with the situation. But if we allow this question to remain open, get an opportunity of considering this question along Members of Government and have not a decision to the question we desire, I submit, Sir, then we will have great apprehensions. I do not wish to get a definite decision today, but I wish to have an opportunity of mobilizing public opinion there and inducing Government to accept our point of view. There is a beautiful couple that says: He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day, if that may be the position then that is to our advantage. Instead of taking a defeat just now, whatever may be the reasons, it is much better that the question should remain open and Government may have an opportunity of considering the questions from all its aspects and then coming to a decision.


  1. Speech not corrected by the Honorable Member.