Background According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, secession refers to the act of separating from a nation or state and becoming independent. Therefore a secessionist is someone who supports the idea of secession. The formation of an independent, sovereign state of Bangladesh has itself been a result of a successful secessionist movement in 1971. It is now a widely recognized state internationally and is also a member of the United Nations. The East Pakistanis were dissatisfied with the economic and social supremacy of the West Pakistanis to a great extent. The thousand miles long separation of the two parts (East and West) because of India, the difference in ethnic composition, language and culture also contributed to the discriminating attitude of the West …show more content…
It was the beginning of the secessionist movement towards the formation of Bangladesh. The party under the leadership of the founding father of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, organized massive movements to struggle for the achievement of independence. Mukti Bahini or Freedom Fighters is a term that collectively refers to all the armed organizations that opposed and fought against Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War under the leadership of Gen. Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani. The Mukti Bahini not only consisted of trained fighters but also included youth, peasants, rural and urban workers. It had several factions one of which was under the Bangladesh Liberation Forces led by youth leaders of the political wing of Bangladesh Awami party. India overwhelmingly supported these movements as it was eager to see the freedom of Bangladesh from Pakistan. After intense fighting among the Pakistanis and Indians alongside Mukti Bahinis, the Pakistan army surrendered on 16 December