Lal Sontrash: Exploring the rise and fall of the Sarbahara Party

Some of my childhood memories are associated with the story of the Sarbahara Party, a Maoist organisation that haunted my mother's village in Borat, Rajbari District. They were said to arrive on the river in small boats, prompting the villagers to lock their doors and windows in fear. These tales were often accompanied by news of killings. 

These events painted the Sarbahara Party as a dreaded terrorist group.

As I immersed myself in Bangladesh's political history, I discovered a different perspective. I stumbled upon 'Lal Sontrash: Siraj Sikder and Sarbahara Rajneeti', a book that chronicles the rise and fall of the Sarbahara Party. The book was published by Baatighar in February 2021. 

Mohiuddin Ahmad presents the details of the events objectively in the book. Even though it is difficult for the readers of this generation or the revolutionary communists to verify the truth or falsity of each of those events, we can only assume the authenticity of the events. 

The book is divided into two parts. The first provides a chronological account of the party's formation, growth, and eventual decline. The second part of the book presents firsthand accounts from former Sarbahara members, primarily through interviews conducted by the author. 

The first part explains how they attempted to apply the theories and practices of Marx, Lenin, and Mao Zedong in Bangladesh. 

The author effectively portrays the Sarbahara Party not merely as a terrorist group but as an organisation rooted in a specific theoretical foundation and ideology.

Despite their ideological underpinnings, the Sarbahara Party faced significant challenges. Their founder, Siraj Sikder, based his party's operations on hypotheses largely incompatible with Bangladesh's context. This incompatibility was partly due to the country's unique geographical features.

Moreover, the party's leadership consisted of educated urban youth from mostly bourgeois backgrounds. They struggled to communicate class struggle to rural populations, leading to isolation and a reliance on armed activities. As a result, the very people they sought to liberate, the landless proletariat, remained distant and fearful.

The book explores Siraj Sikder's multifaceted personality, revealing his internal conflicts and occasional contradictory actions. However, the author's analysis avoids drawing definitive conclusions about Sikder's character or leadership.

The second part of the book presents firsthand accounts from former Sarbahara members, primarily through interviews conducted by the author. While informative, this section can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of text and the repetition of certain narratives.

A significant weakness is the lack of perspectives from current Sarbahara members, creating a gap in understanding. Additionally, the author could have exercised more discretion in selecting and presenting interview excerpts to avoid redundancy.

Despite its shortcomings, "Lal Sontrash" is a valuable resource for understanding Bangladesh's political landscape. The author's unbiased approach and inclusion of firsthand accounts make it a compelling read.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge diverse perspectives on the book. Some critics argue that the author intentionally downplays the impact of Siraj Sikder and that the selection of interviewees is biased. While I do not fully agree with these criticisms, I believe it is essential to consider them for a balanced understanding.

The Sarbahara Party's story holds immense significance in Bangladesh's political history. Their rise and fall offer valuable lessons about the complexities of revolutionary movements, the challenges of applying foreign ideologies, and the importance of contextualising political strategies.

Unfortunately, this crucial chapter of Bangladesh's history is often overlooked in university curricula. In particular, understanding the Sarbahara Party is essential for understanding Bangladesh's internal conflicts.

The Sarbahara Party's unwavering belief in Maoist ideology, despite its incompatibility with Bangladesh's realities, highlights the allure of revolutionary ideals for many young minds. Their ultimate goal was to liberate the common people through the empowerment of the proletariat. 

However, the complexities of society, politics, and economics cannot be reduced to scientific formulas. The belief that replicating the Soviet Union's or China's methods would ensure a successful revolution was a flawed assumption. There are no shortcuts to revolution, and the effectiveness of Marxist-Leninist theories in achieving true liberation remains debatable.

While some argue that the lessons learned from revolutionary attempts are more valuable than the success of the revolution itself, this notion requires further scrutiny. 

The Sarbahara Party's story serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities of revolutionary movements, the importance of contextualising political strategies, and the enduring power of ideals, even in the face of adversity.

'Lal Sontrash' mentions a song lyric that aptly captures the essence of the book:

'Muktiro mandiro Shopano tole/Kato praan holo bolidaan/Lekha acche asru jole.' (At the steps of the temple of freedom/ How many lives have been sacrificed/ It is written in tears.)

Md Zarif Rahman is a Research Associate at the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID). 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.