The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and its Unquiet Legacy

Salil Tripathi’s narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s struggle to reckon with its traumatic past. The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the charismatic first prime minister, along with the coups and counter-coups that ensued, plunged the nation into a prolonged period of military rule, hindering its ability to come to terms with the legacy of the Liberation War. Four decades later, as Bangladesh grapples with the task of seeking accountability through tribunals addressing war crimes, Tripathi embarks on a journey across the country, conducting interviews with hundreds of Bangladeshis. Through his book, he presents an indelible portrait of a nation whose post-independence political history has been marked more by tragedy than triumph, offering readers a compelling and unforgettable exploration of Bangladesh’s complex and often painful journey.