At the moment, they have no plans to form any new political party. Moreover, they have no desire to avoid the traditional path of politics and get involved in any new process like Colonel Abu Taher.

Colonel Abu Taher, a Bir Uttam, was the sector commander of Sector 11 during the Liberation War. On November 14, 1971, he lost a leg in the battle at Kamalpur. After receiving treatment in India, he returned to Bangladesh in April 1972 and rejoined the army. He was appointed the Adjutant General of the army. In June that year, he took charge of the 44th Brigade and the Cumilla Cantonment. Due to disagreements with the government over the national army, Colonel Taher resigned from the military in 1972 and entered active politics. He was elected vice-president of the central organizational committee of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). He formed a secret organization within the army called the "Biplobi Sainik Sangstha."

Colonel Taher and his Biplobi Sainik Sangstha played a leading role in the November 7, 1975, Sepoy-people uprising. At that time, the army's chain of command completely collapsed. The army was experiencing a very chaotic situation, and Colonel Taher and his organization were blamed for it. He was arrested and sentenced to death by a military court on July 21, 1976, for treason. Biplobi Sainik Sangstha came to an end with that sentence.

Retired military officers say that the context of the past and present is completely different. There is also a significant difference in the thinking of military officers and politicians. Joining a political party is a personal matter. However, the reality of former military officers uniting behind a specific ideology does not exist. They want to focus on strengthening the state's security and institutions from outside politics.

Recently, rumors spread about the formation of a political party under the leadership of former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan. However, on February 4, Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan denied the news, stating on his Facebook page that the information about him forming a political party was incorrect.

Regarding forming a political party by retired military officers, Major General (ret.) Fazle Elahi Akbar told Bonik Barta, "In the context of Bangladesh and the current politics, this is almost a utopian idea. It is impossible. This cannot happen. However, citizens can form a political party and engage in politics. A person who has been in the army also has this right. But retired military officers alone can't form a political party."

Regarding the impossibility of military personnel coming together to form a political party, he said, "This doesn't make sense from any perspective. Military life's training, daily routine, and discipline are completely different from political life. The first thing in politics is that you cannot command according to rank as you can in the military. Here, rank is less important than your charisma, intelligence, personality, and manner of speaking. A commander must inspire his soldiers through these qualities so that they will face bullets without hesitation. This does not happen overnight. Along with rank, these qualities are developed over time. But in politics, rank has no relevance. You have to mix with the people. You need to understand their desires and needs. You must completely abandon the military's authoritative nature. You cannot do politics with that. Military members are good workers. If given a responsibility, they can organize and complete it quickly. That is our work style. However, politics does not go with the military style. Therefore, one must accept the reality. You must forget the military. You need to think about how to reflect the people's aspirations by being with them. Many successful politicians have been in the army in the past. For example, in the United States, there are examples of people joining politics after retiring from the military. But in Bangladesh, if someone suddenly says that five to ten generals will form a party together, it won't happen. It does not attract ordinary people."

Following independence, political turmoil and the famine of 1974 also impacted the military. The troops from the lower military ranks expressed their concerns and demands regarding economic issues. In that circumstance, Colonel Taher departed from the military. He started to heighten his political involvement, concentrating on the current crises. In 1974, he established a military group known as the "Biplobi Sainik Sangstha," grounded in the scientific socialism ideals of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal.

They handed out leaflets in different military camps and barracks, urging soldiers to participate in the fight. Colonel Taher and his group were instrumental in coordinating the uprising on November 7. Nonetheless, multiple officers were also mortally assaulted during this period. The hierarchy of authority completely collapsed.

Once Ziaur Rahman reclaimed the Army Chief position, he reinstated the order. Colonel Taher and his companions were apprehended.

In an article called "Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh Nationalism," an analyst named Marcus Franda stated that Ziaur Rahman remarked about Colonel Taher: "He did not follow the law. His underground force took the lives of numerous individuals. As a result, based on the nature of his offense, he received a death sentence."

The article further mentions, "The death sentence of Colonel Taher was one of the most difficult decisions for President Zia, as noted by his close associates. Most believe that before Colonel Taher's execution on July 21, 1976, Ziaur Rahman held a meeting with 47 senior officers. He asked for their opinions regarding Colonel Taher's punishment. After all the 47 officers voted in favor of the death sentence, Zia agreed with the verdict. The reason for their unanimous decision was that if Colonel Taher was released, discipline in the army would not be restored."

Colonel Abu Taher, photo: collected

Until his death, Colonel Taher led the armed wing of the JSD, the "Gonobahini." In October 1976, the Gonobahini was declared illegal, and after that, there was complete ideological separation within the army.

In the current context, Major General (ret.) Imamuzzaman Chowdhury Bir Bikrom also believes that the situation of retired military officers forming a party does not exist. He told Bonik Barta, "This is unrealistic. Impossible. When Ershad took power, he formed a political party, the Jatiya Party. When Ziaur Rahman took power, he formed the BNP. Forming a political party from outside power is meaningless."

Former officers believe that the focus on issues like the "Aynaghar" has further changed the stance of military officers on politics. They think that, just like in the past, the army will refrain from supporting such activities.

In this regard, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Hasinur Rahman Bir Protik told Bonik Barta, "I believe that retired military officers will not form a political party. Not only that, but the army will not support the formation of such a party. The current Army Chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, is playing a crucial role. With issues like enforced disappearances and killings coming to light, the army is now in a controversial position. This situation has arisen because of a few dishonest officers. I hope the current Army Chief will bring them to justice and restore the army's dignity."