Mohammad Abdul Jalil

Mohammad Abdul Jalil ( M. A. Jalil) was a freedom fighter and Sector Commander of the Sector 9 of Mukti Bahini during Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. He was also one of the founding member of political party Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal.

Early years
Mohammad Abdul Jalil was born at Wazirpur in Barisal District on 9 February 1942. He passed the matriculation examination from Wazirpur WB Union Institution in 1959, IA examination from Murry Young Cadet Institution, and joined the Pakistan army as trainee officer in 1962. He obtained his graduation and M A in History during his service in the army. M. A. Jalil was promoted to the post of Captain in 1965, and was elevated to the position of Major in 1970. In February 1971, Major Jalil came to Barisal on leave from his place of posting in Multan, and joined the war of liberation in March.

Bangladesh Liberation War
He was appointed commander of the Sector 9. He was, however, removed from the position in the month of December the liberation. After Bangladesh Liberation War he was arrested by the Indian army for what they alleged was his "misconduct" towards them. He claimed he was arrested because he tried to prevent Indian soldiers from Looting. This was a visible instance of the tension that existed between the Indian Army in Bangladesh and the Mukti Bahini.

After independence
Mohammad Abdul Jalil had pioneering role in floating the new political party Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) in October 1972. At the inception of the party he was the joint convener, and was elected chairman of the party in the council session held on 26 December 1972.

The JSD under his leadership endeavored to establish '"scientific socialism" in the country and was altogether active in anti-government politics. Mohammad Abdul Jalil contested from seven constituencies in the Jatiya Sangsad elections in 1973 with no return. Major Jalil was arrested while launching a program of the party activists to besiege the official residence of the then Home Minister on 17 March 1974. He was released on 8 November 1975. Major Jalil was again arrested on 25 November by the martial law government for his alleged conspiracy for the overthrow of the government and attempts at usurping the state power. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a trial by the special military tribunal. He was, however, released on 24 March 1980.

Major Jalil contested in the presidential election in 1981 as a nominee of the three-party alliance of JSD, Workers Party and Krishak-Sramik Samajbadi Dal. He was removed from chairmanship of the JSD in 1984.

Notable works

 * Seemahin Samay (1976)
 * Dristibhangi O Jiban Darshan
 * Surjodoy (1982)
 * Arakshita Swadhinatayi Paradhinata (1989)
 * Bangladesh Nationalist Movement for Unity: A Historical Necessity

Death and legacy
He died at Islamabad in Pakistan on 19 November 1989. A bridge in Barisal is named after him.