Major A Gani’s 69th death anniversary observed Wednesday.
The 69th death anniversary of Major A Gani, founder of the East Bengal Regiment of the Bangladesh Army, will be observed on Wednesday with due respect and various programmes.
A legendary military leader and public figure, Major Gani played a pioneering role in establishing a regular military force for Bengali Muslims in the then Pakistan Army. His vision, courage and contributions continue to inspire generations.
To mark his 69th death anniversary, a doa mahfil will be held on Wednesday at the Retired Armed Forces Officers' Welfare Association (RAOWA) Club, said a press release.
The Bangladesh Army will also pay formal homage at his grave in Cumilla Cantonment in the morning. Special prayers will be held at every unit of the Bangladesh Army seeking eternal peace for his departed soul and well-
Born on December 1, 1919, in Nagais village under Brahmanpara upazila of Cumilla, Major Gani completed his secondary education in Khulna before enrolling at Islamia College in Kolkata for higher studies.
He left his studies in September 1939 and joined the Bengal Fire Service in Kolkata. On January 8, 1942, during World War II, he joined the British Indian Army and received an infantry commission on August 8 of the same year. He was subsequently posted to the Indian Pioneer Corps.
During the war, he led Pioneer Corps personnel in operations extending from areas east of the Brahmaputra River in the north to Akyab in Burma (now Myanmar) in the south, helping resist enemy advances.
It was during the Burma campaign that British military authorities took note of the courage, bravery and combat capabilities of Bengali Muslim soldiers serving under his command. Their performance also drew the attention of senior British military officers.
Drawing on his wartime experience, Captain A Gani proposed forming a regular military force with experienced Bengali soldiers from the Pioneer Corps. His initiative raised new hopes among soldiers from East Bengal.
Following the end of British rule and the partition of the Indian subcontinent, two companies of Pioneer Corps personnel selected for retention departed from Jalna in India and arrived by train at Fulbaria in Dhaka on September 17, 1947. Subsequently, orders were issued to establish a military cantonment at Kurmitola.
The First East Bengal Regiment was formally established at Kurmitola on February 15, 1948, marking a historic milestone in the development of a distinct military identity for Bengali soldiers.
According to accounts of the regiment's history, a significant incident took place during a tea gathering following its establishment. When the then local area commander, Brigadier General Ayub Khan, reportedly remarked that Bengali soldiers would henceforth speak Urdu, Captain Gani firmly opposed the suggestion, asserting that Bengali was their mother tongue and that Bengali soldiers would not abandon their language.
The incident is regarded as an early expression of resistance to linguistic discrimination and an important precursor to the Bengali language movement.
Major Gani subsequently faced difficulties with the military authorities over differences in principles and the discriminatory attitude of the Pakistani military command. Despite being promoted twice within three months, his promotions were reportedly withdrawn and he was eventually reverted to his previous rank.
He travelled extensively across the country as a recruiting officer, selecting capable young men to build the manpower of the First and Second East Bengal Regiments. However, he did not get the opportunity to continue serving in the institution he had helped establish.
He was released from military service on November 6, 1953, reportedly on health grounds, amid growing differences with the Pakistani military authorities.
Soon afterwards, in the provincial elections held in January 1954, he contested as an independent candidate from his constituency and secured a historic victory by defeating the United Front-backed candidate.
As an active participant in political affairs, he continued to raise his voice against the discrimination faced by East Pakistan at the hands of the central government. Among his key proposals were the establishment of all components of the armed forces in East Pakistan and the rehabilitation and welfare of former servicemen.
The East Bengal Regiment later paved the way for the formation of another infantry force, the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment. Established in 2000 with some units of the East Bengal Regiment, it further strengthened the country's infantry structure. Major Gani's vision and pioneering efforts thus remain an important part of the foundation of Bangladesh's infantry forces.
Major Gani was selected to attend the World Veterans Conference held in Berlin, Germany, from October 28 to November 1, 1957.
He died of a heart attack in Berlin during the midnight of November 11-12, 1957. His body was brought home and he was buried at Cumilla Cantonment on November 17, 1957.
