The New Nation - Internet Edition

JUNE 23 marks a tragic chapter in the political history of Bangladesh. On this day in 1757 Sirajuddaula, Nawab of Bangla, Bihar and Orissa was defeated by the forces of British East India Company in active connivance with Mir Jafar Ali Khan. The military defeat of the patriotic forces at Plassey laid the foundation of British occupation of the whole of India in course of time. The East India Company came under the cover of doing trade and followed an imperialist design from the very beginning. India was brought directly under the British crown following the first Indian War of Independence in 1857. In the colonial era, British imperialists pursued a policy of expanding market and colonial hegemony over the rest of Asia for which India was used as a springboard.

The day also symbolises a spirit of fight and sacrifice for independence and sovereignty of the country. This spirit inspired patriotic forces to fight for independence that ultimately culminated to the establishment of Bangladesh in 1971. The colonial forces had taken camouflage of trade and commerce. The big powers of the present day world have not thrown away this altogether. The developed countries exploit the least developed countries through various unfair and unequal treaties and trade deals.

The developed countries are the major carbon emitters whereas the countries like Bangladesh are to bear the brunt of global warming caused by such emission. These aspects of the present day realities mean that the fight for preserving national interests is far from over. The people must take lessons from the battle of Plassey and remain united to protect independence and sovereignty. People's unity is the best safeguard against external threats. Restoration of democratic order is expected to help people's unity to get stronger.