Pressure mounted on me to declare state of emergency, but 3 service chiefs opposed it: President Shahabuddin
In an interview with Kaler Kantho at Bangabhaban on Friday night (20 February), the president said he had been repeatedly urged to declare an emergency, as the authority to do so constitutionally rested solely with him.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said he came under intense pressure from multiple quarters to declare a state of emergency during a politically volatile period – following the July Uprising and Sheikh Hasina's ouster as prime minister – but the chiefs of the three armed services were firmly against any such move.
In an interview with Kaler Kantho at Bangabhaban on Friday night (20 February), the president said he had been repeatedly urged to declare an emergency, as the authority to do so constitutionally rested solely with him.
Asked about widespread rumours across the country that a state of emergency was about to be declared and military rule was set to begin -- whether any such discussion had taken place, either publicly or secretly, the president replied in the negative and praised the military's role during that time.
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"I can firmly say that the role played by our army here was certainly memorable, because they played the right role at the right time. They could have imposed martial law if they wanted to. They could have declared an emergency – meaning a state of emergency – which I was under pressure to do. Because only the president can declare a state of emergency.
"Attempts were made from various levels and in various ways to influence me to issue a state of emergency. One thing must be mentioned here: at that time, there was also an initiative to trigger a counter-revolution," the president told Kaler Kantho.
Queried about which level had the initiative for a counter-revolution been taken from and who had tried to influence him to declare a state of emergency, the president replied, "You understand this. Generally, in such situations, there are many opportunistic quarters. Various local and foreign agencies remain active. It was from their side that various attempts to exert influence were made."
He said that certain quarters had attempted to orchestrate unconstitutional measures to create complications during the crisis.
"It was being whispered into my ears repeatedly that I should declare an emergency," he stated.
However, according to the president, the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force were "completely opposed" to the imposition of martial law, the formation of a national government, or the declaration of a state of emergency.
Instead, they explored whether the country could continue its course directly toward a general election.
"Because of this, I was able to suppress those pressures with a firm hand."
The president emphasised that the sole objective of the armed forces had been to facilitate a transition through the polls, noting that the army chief had expressed a desire to see elections within 18 months.
"I can say in unequivocal terms that the army chief had no lust for power; this is absolutely 100% true," he added.
The president said the army chief had reflected on the "many highs and lows" of the army's past, specifically mentioning how public resentment might have been caused by the state of emergency during the "1/11" era.
Consequently, the military had refused to "step onto that path" under any circumstances, he added.
Again reflecting on the personal pressure he had faced, the president revealed that he had been the primary "target" for those demanding a state of emergency declaration.
"Extreme influence was exerted upon me," he stated, adding that the country had been ultimately saved through "the grace of Allah and my own firm resolve."
