Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, there has been growing controversy over the national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla. Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, son of the former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ghulam Azam, has called for changes to both the national anthem and the constitution, arguing that Amar Sonar Bangla was imposed by India in 1971 and reflects the country’s colonial past. This has sparked international attention and debate about the anthem’s history and significance.
History and Meaning of Amar Sonar Bangla
Amar Sonar Bangla is derived from a song written by the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore in 1905. The song was originally composed as a protest against the British-imposed partition of Bengal, which was announced by Viceroy Lord Curzon on July 19, 1905, and implemented on October 16 of the same year. Tagore’s song was intended to promote unity and resistance against the division.
Published in the magazine Bangadarshan in September 1905, the song’s initial lines reflect a deep love for Bengal and a call for unity. After the independence of East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh in 1971, ten lines of this song were adopted as the national anthem, with the tune composed by Bangladeshi musician Samar Das.
The anthem expresses profound affection for the land and its natural beauty:
“My Bengal of Gold,
I love you.
Forever your skies,
Your air set my heart in tune
As if it were a flute.”
Historical Attempts to Change the Anthem
This is not the first instance of calls to change Bangladesh’s national anthem. After the country’s formation, there were attempts to replace it following the first coup in 1975. President Mushtaq Ahmed established a committee that proposed alternatives, including Kazi Najrul Islam’s Notuner Gaan and Farooq Ahmed’s Panjeri. However, these proposals did not succeed.
In 2002, Amir Motiur Rahman Nizami of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami also criticized Amar Sonar Bangla, claiming it was contrary to Islamic values. Despite his proposal to change the anthem, the Cabinet Division rejected the demand.
The current debate reflects ongoing discussions about national identity and historical legacy in Bangladesh, with significant implications for the country’s cultural and political landscape.
