Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, spent most of his life in politics outside state power. He struggled against colonial and undemocratic regimes—first against the British for nearly seven years, and later against Pakistan for 24 years to establish the economic, political and cultural rights of the Bengalis. If we look into his long, arduous struggles and 3.5 years' rule in independent Bangladesh, he emerges as an exceptional figure to shape the lives of Bengalis and others, transforming the world into a better place. Bangabandhu had a few specific political ideals and goals, and he worked consistently to achieve them. Through his accomplishments, he presented before us and the world a philosophy of love, peace and freedom.

In my opinion, Bangabandhu is one of the greatest leaders the world has ever produced. He acquired his philosophical belief from his love for the people and the country, and through unusual courage, honesty and sincerity. He did not follow Marxist or Maoist philosophy to bring about sociopolitical change—he had his own philosophy. Bangabandhu declared that he would not import socialism from other countries, but he would form a socialist society of our own, keeping democracy, social justice and people's rights undisturbed. The aim was to transform society by establishing socialism in a democratic way and making it functional.

At the core of Bangabandhu's philosophy was love for the people. He became the conscience of humanity, and asserted the right of the common people to live with respect. Bangabandhu wrote: "As a man, what concerns mankind concerns me. As a Bengalee, I am deeply involved in all that concerns Bengalees. This abiding involvement is born of and nourished by love, enduring love, which gives meaning to my politics and to my very being." This quote makes it clear how Bangabandhu identified as a human being and as a Bengali. His self-identification thus asserted helps us understand the main features of Bangabandhu's philosophy—love, peace and freedom.

Bangabandhu deeply loved his people and the country. His people were dear to him. It was his people who were his strength and source of power. His biggest weakness was also his love for people. In reply to the question by British TV journalist David Frost—"What is your strength and weakness?"—during an interview on January 18, 1972, Bangabandhu said, "My greatest strength is the love for my people; my greatest weakness is that I love them too much."

Frost also asked, "When you see them digging a grave and you think of everything you have to leave behind you, do you think of your country, or for instance, of your wife and children first?" In reply, Bangabandhu said, "I feel for my country and my people, and then my family. I love my people more. I suffered for my people and you have seen how many people love me."

Bangabandhu always stood by the poor. He was involved in many social and political movements, such as the movement of the peasants against the introduction of the Jinnah Fund, prohibiting inter-district trade in rice known as the "cordon" system, etc. He supported the movement of the fourth class employees of Dhaka University and was imprisoned in 1949.

Bangabandhu, throughout his whole life, was involved in politics and movements, and talked about people's emancipation from exploitation and oppression. However, he never deviated from his stance of peaceful, non-violent movements. He transformed the Bengali nationalist movement into a movement for independence, following democratic norms and culture, from 1947 to 1970. The movement turned into an armed struggle in March 1971 after the Pakistani military junta refused to hand over power to the Awami League, which secured an absolute majority in the 1970 elections.

Bangabandhu practiced honesty throughout his whole life. He honestly and wholeheartedly supported and fought for the emancipation of the people, and he got this lesson of honesty of purpose from his family. In The Unfinished Memoirs, Bangabandhu wrote that his father Sheikh Lutfar Rahman had said, "If you don't study, you won't become a good human being. And one other thing: if you have sincerity of purpose and honesty of purpose, you will never be defeated." Bangabandhu never forgot this advice.

Bangabandhu believed in peace, harmony and equal rights for all people. Though he was involved in the Pakistan movement, he believed that Muslims in India and Hindus in Pakistan should enjoy equal rights as citizens and live together in peace and harmony. Bangabandhu saved both Muslims and Hindus from acts of communal riots that broke out in Kolkata on August 16, 1947. He, along with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, actively participated in efforts led by Mahatma Gandhi to establish peace and communal harmony.

Bangabandhu not only thought about Bangladesh or regional peace—he also stood for global peace, and against the nuclear arms race and nuclear war. His speech at the 29th UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25, 1974 ushered in fresh ideas and policies to build a brave new world free of economic inequalities, social injustice, military aggression and threats of nuclear war. He said, "Peace is absolutely necessary for the protection of the existence of mankind. The hopes and aspirations of all men and women in the world are embodied in this peace. Peace can never be sustainable if not based on justice."

Bangabandhu was a visionary leader. He thought that Bangladesh must adopt science and technology to help expedite building a poverty-free, happy and prosperous Shonar Bangla (Golden Bengal). He did not forget to seek international cooperation and partnership in resources and technology to alleviate people's sufferings at the UNGA. He said, "There is no room for doubt at all that international cooperation and partnership in resources and technology can facilitate our task, can alleviate people's sufferings. However, the emerging countries like ours should have confidence in their own efficiency. It should be kept in mind that only through the united and concerted effort of the people, we can be able to reach our specific goal, can build a better future."

"This future will be free from the threats of nuclear war. By the equitable distribution of all the wealth and technical knowledge of the world, the door to such welfare can be opened where everyone will have the minimum assurance of a happy and honest life," he said.

The conspirators, in August 1975, killed a great leader and the best Bengali of all time—Bangabandhu, who fought for the cause of people and brought independence. But they could not erase his name. His philosophy and ideology are with us. Freedom-loving people can get the taste of freedom if they follow the philosophy of Bangabandhu.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, is the State Minister for the ICT Division.