Counting the days of the past, the Peasant Day, the National Day, the Armed Forces Day, the Union Day, the Martyrs’ Day, and the Independence Day happened to be the most auspicious days in the chronicle of Myanmar, and that they are intertwined with each other reflecting significant features. All these positive days stood as milestones shimmering for the independence struggle to escape from servitude. In reminiscence, the Union Day is found to be in the center of all the auspicious occasions as the heart of the Union.
By Ko Myint Tun (Saw)
Political situation of Myanmar after Second World War
Following the Second World War, the AFPFL (The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, or hpa hsa pa la by its Myanmar acronym, was the main political alliance in the country from 1945 until 1958) in 1946 initiated with many demonstrations, protests and strikes against the suppression of the British government. The objections and outcries continued namely the peasant strike from Htantabin Township of Insein District on 18 May; the public strike at Yangon Kandawmin Park on 7 June; the public mass rally and meeting of over (100,000) people on 26 June; and the mass Rangoon police strike on 5 September, and many workers’ detests.
With the intent to change and distract the mind of the people, the British Government on 4 August 1946 had switched the administration from Governor Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith to Major General Sir Hubert Elvin Rance, the last Governor of British Burma between 1946 and 1948. Despite the changes, the strong and tough strikes were in top gear in the country. At that juncture, the political clout of the government employees and the workers were mounting, followed by general strikes of all workers and trade unions. As a result, the government headed by Sir Paw Tun collapsed on 17 September 1946.
In concession, Governor Sir Hubert Rance had invited Bogyoke Aung San and the representatives and asked to form the Executive Council of the Governor of Burma, and subsequently formed the cabinet on 27 September 1946.
Immediately after two days, the AFPFL headed by Bogyoke Aung San staged a public protest over the White Paper Project of British Government. The white paper envisioned several years of economic reconstruction for war-ravaged Myanmar, and the prewar colonial firms were to play an important role in this project. Bogyoke Aung San initiated a campaign against the white paper at a mass meeting in Yangon, demanding that independence be granted immediately.
Despite the formation of Executive Council of the Governor of Burma, the AFPFL clearly declared and informed the people that the strikes would continue until the independence was achieved.
On 8 November 1946, the Executive Council of the Governor of Burma headed by Bogyoke had announced that a constitution would be drafted for the purpose administration of the country.
On 10 November 1946, the AFPFL Headquarters had released the declaration that it was to achieve independence within a period of one year. It was declared and an ultimatum was given to the British Government that if the demand was not met by 31 January 1947, all the AFPFL representatives serving at the Executive Council of the Governor of Burma would resign.
If the British Government did not consent to the demand of the AFPFL, then fitting and harsh action would be followed. The British Government convened a Parliamentary meeting and spelled out a concession by arranging to invite Bogyoke Aung San and his delegation to London for discussion.
Historical Speech
Before the departure to London, the AFPFL asked Bogyoke Aung San to negotiate for total independence. On his departure to London, Bogyoke Aung San informed the people, the AFPFL, and the Tatmadaw to be united and to prepare for the best and ready for the worst in the struggle for the independence.
Earlier, Bogyoke Aung San forecast a constitutional crisis in Myanmar. If this time there was a struggle for independence in Myanmar, he replied with emphasis, "I hope for the best but I am prepared for the worst."
On 2 January 1947, Bogyoke Aung San and his delegation left Yangon for India, where he met Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of independent India (1947– 64), and discussed the situation.
Following the meeting, Bogyoke Aung San was asked by the media whether soft approach would be used or tough tactic would be applied, and in response, Bogyoke Aung San daringly replied that the situation depended on the circumstances and that he and his men were swift enough to move ahead.
Bogyoke Aung San and his delegation had arrived in London on 9 January 1947, and conducted a round of discussion with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee on 13 January. The writer of this article would like to highlight the words of Bogyoke Aung as the first historic words of Myanmar with the British Government over the independence.
After the pleasantry greetings from Mr. Atlee was extended, Bogyoke Aung San talked directly with plain words and said that he was a soldier and he talk very candidly and openly, and therefore, not to expect diplomatic sentences.
He added that Myanmar wanted total independence without any influence, and that the word Myanmar meant all inclusive of nationalities in the country, where they were ready to join in unity if there was no discrimination and no outside interference in providing total independence.
In the words of Bogyoke Aung San, it was indeed very short and direct to the point as had desired and also considered in advance.
Experiencing constructive and destructive acts
While Bogyoke Aung San and Myanmar delegation were having discussions in London on 16 January 1947, the AFPFL had organized a public meeting at Bandoola Park in Yangon attended over by (100,000) people demanding independence. The decisions at the public meeting had been sent to Bogyoke Aung San over the telegram. The other camp of some Shan chieftains sent a telegram to London accusing that Bogyoke Aung San was not representing the Shan nationalities, and therefore, Shan chieftains should be invited separately to London to discuss the matters regarding the frontier areas and hill track issues, creating dilemma at the London meeting.
In response, youth leaders of nationalities organized a public meeting in Taunggyi of Shan State seeking approval from the mass that Bogyoke and the delegation was the real and genuine representatives of the nationalities, and decision was duly sent through a telegram to London.
The London meeting resumed when the telegram of confirmation arrived there. Some other ethnic nationalities sent delegates to London and insisted that they wanted to remain under the British Administration. However, the strong will of the Myanmar delegation with the sincere desire and the forceful unity of nationalities and the people, the historic Aung San – Atlee Agreement was able to sign on 27 January 1947.
The Aung San – Atlee Agreement was not the document that granted the independence of the country, but the interim agreement of British and Myanmar for the plans to be implemented during transition period. Among the Myanmar delegation, some denied to sign the agreement, and that they were no other than Thakin Ba Sein and U Saw. Worse scenario was the incident that U Saw attempt of slandering campaign over Bogyoke Aung San after arriving back in Yangon.
U Saw said that Bogyoke Aung San could not resist the influence of the British Government and that was why he signed the agreement, and that Bogyoke hand was shaking while signing the agreement. Moreover, U Saw accused that Bogyoke was a traitor of the country collaborating with the imperialists. U Saw resigned from the Governor’s Executive Council on 19 February 1947, resulting with a saying in Myanma politics which could be imagined that worms used to hook onto the flesh.
Merging flat lands and frontier areas
After successful conclusion of meeting of Myanmar delegation headed by Bogyoke Aung San, they arrived back Yangon on 2 February 1947. On 3 February, the Aung San – Atlee Agreement was approved by the Myanmar Delegation and the AFPFL, and then on 8 February, Bogyoke Aung San proceeded to Panglong legendary town in Shan State and met with nationalities.
At the meeting held on 11 February 1947 between the Myanmar delegation headed by Bogyoke Aung San and the delegation comprising leaders of various nationalities had agreed to merge the flat lands and the hilly regions without separation in acquiring independence as a whole. On the dot of 10:00 am on the beautiful morning of 12 February 1947, the historic and renowned Panglong Agreement was successfully signed. The most important and critical foundation for getting independence was the creation and crafting of national unity which had been cemented on February 12, and that the memorable day we have cherished has attained the milestone of (72) years.
Despite the author’s presentation is rather short, it is firmly believed that the tough and bumpy journey to the desired destination and the difficulties and barriers where all there supplemented with the ardent endeavors of the national leaders could be assessed and evaluated. The unity built by our predecessors must be cherished, preserved, and maintained for posterity, and this has become the national duty of people from all nationalities residing in the Union. Unity is strength, and harmony is power, and above all, the heart is the Union. Translated by UMT (Ahlon)
