brԵ-Գ বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড is equally concerned with it and that the execution with the help of the American impetiz1|iStS by Yahya regime is stopped. With the death of Shri Mujibur Rahman, it might be the death of the Parliamentary democracy and secularism in Bangla Desh. I would request the Prime Minister to say something about that. THE PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF ATOMIC ENERGY, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OE INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I can fully appreciate the deep concern, anxiety and, indeed, agony of the mind of the hon. Members with regard to the news which has been coming across from West Pakistan. I can only say that the Government shares this agony and anxiety. I do not agree with the last sentence of the hon. Member that the freedom Movement in Bangla Desh will die. Because we all. Know that martyrdom gives immortality. We all know, that far from weakening a movement. it strengthens it. Everywhere in the world, freedom struggles have gone from strength to strength, the more the authority has tried to suppress them. Sir. we have tried to get some news. This is from the United Press International-the hon. Members can take it or leave it. "But the Pakistani officials to-day refused to say whether the trial of the Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started on schedule yesterday." There has been no other news. No mention on any of the Pakistan Radio Broadcasts. Just now we have been discussing the natural calamities of drought and floods which cause hardship and suffering to our people year after year. But here there is a calamity of great magnitude, not caused by nature but by man and one which is quite unnecessary. As I have said on previous occasions, we are concerned not only because of the ideals of freedom and human dignity and human suffering but also because this tragedy has a direct effect and impact on our own country. I can understand the desire of the Members for greater effort on our part. Many members have sent telegrams to various organizations and Parliaments abroad. The Government of India also has approached the Secretary-General of the U. N., U Thant. I myself have written on more than one occasion the Heads of States and Prime Ministers to try their best to save the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I know that there is a feeling in Parliament that Parliament itself should move a resolution. I have no objection to such a resolution, but I feel that it would not serve much purpose except to reiterate our own strong feelings. We know that the sort of military regime which exists in Pakistan is not going to pay any heed to our resolution or even to the opinion of other peoples of the world. Perhaps it could be pressurized by certain Governments and we are doing our best that such pressure should be exercised. We have also to take into account the fact that anything we do could harm the cause. We know that there is an effort on the part of the military regime to propagate the view that Sheikh Mujibur Rahrman's actions are activated by India and that India is encouraging him. All kinds of other allegations which have no foundation whatsoever are being made. In fact. . . . SHRI S. M. BANERJEE: It is all lies.
