1967–1970: Origins The group emerged from the pro-China faction of the communist movement in what was then
East Pakistan. In 1967, Siraj Sikder had established the Mao Tse Tung Thought Research Centre in
Dhaka. The centre was subjected to physical attacks by
Jamaat-e-Islami cadres on several occasions. On 8 January 1968, the group established the 'Purba Banglar Sramik Andalon' (Workers Movement of East Bengal). The founding conference, which was completed in a single day, took place at the residence of a
jute mill worker in Dhaka. The conference was attended by 45 to 50 followers of the centre. The stance of this faction was distinctly different from other pro-Chinese groups in East Pakistan at the time. Sikdar's faction viewed
Pakistan as a colonial power and advocated for national liberation for East Bengal, aiming to establish a Democratic Republic of East Bengal. The group also opposed
American imperialism,
Soviet social imperialism, Indian expansionism, and
feudalism. This faction was one of the many pro-China groups that actively participated in the liberation war. During this period, the official stance of the PRC was that East Bengal was part of Pakistan, and they viewed Indian expansionism as the primary threat to the region. Despite this, the group regarded the mainstream nationalist movement as class enemies. The Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party (PBSP) was officially established as a political party on 3 June 1971 during a meeting held in the
Barisal district.
1972–1974: Post-independence Following the independence of Bangladesh, PBSP emerged as a significant contender against the newly formed
Awami League-government, which it perceived as puppets of India. The party’s inaugural congress was convened on 14 January 1972, during which Sikder was elected as the Chairman. In April 1973, the 'Purba Banglar Jatiya Mukti Front' was established as a coalition of 11 groups, with Sikder assuming the role of president of the front. Upon its formation, the party launched an armed campaign against the state of Bangladesh.
1975: Death of Sikder In December 1974, Sikder was apprehended in
Halishahar,
Chittagong by the state intelligence service. He was killed on the night of 2 January 1975 near the Savar Thana Bus Stand (Ganda) while being transported from Dhaka airport to a paramilitary camp in
Savar. Following Sikder's death, the party divided into two factions. These factions subsequently split even further. The major faction was led by Siraj Sikder's second in command, Md. Hamidul Hoque, who assumed leadership of the party. A splinter group diverged from
Maoism and embraced the political ideology of the
Albanian Communists. This group eventually rebranded itself as the
Communist Party of Bangladesh.
1976–present: Party today The group currently viewed as the successor to the original PBSP is commonly known as the PBSP Central Committee, PBSP(CC). This party continues to operate underground and advocates for an armed revolution. Under the leadership of Anwarul Kabir, also known as Abdur Rouf, the party is active in several districts, including the
Sirajganj,
Bogra,
Pabna,
Rajshahi, and
Khulna. The party is affiliated to the
Revolutionary Internationalist Movement and
CCOMPOSA. In 2001, a faction separated from the PBSP(CC) and established a new entity known as the
Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party (Maoist Bolshevik Reorganisation Movement). In May 2013, six members of the PBSP were apprehended, and they were found in possession of pipe guns and homemade rifles. The party's 5th Congress was held in 2024. Anwar Kabir was elected as the Party's Chairman. The party participated in the
July Revolution, which successfully forced
Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet to step down from power. ==See also==