Ziaur Rahman an essential figure of Liberation War: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that Ziaur Rahman was a key figure in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence, urging younger generations to recognise his role in the 1971 Liberation War.

Speaking at an event in Dhaka on Friday, Rahman also said that research and commentary on the war should not “undermine or devalue” its history.

He suggested that past efforts to downplay Ziaur Rahman’s contribution were not warranted.

The remarks came during a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh auditorium. The session was chaired by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Rahman cited a newspaper article written by Ziaur Rahman and published on 26 March 1972 in the state-run daily Dainik Bangla, saying it could serve as important evidence supporting the late leader’s role in proclaiming independence.

He argued that the article, published at a time when many direct witnesses to the war were still alive, drew no public objections, which he said added to its credibility.

The prime minister also addressed criticism over how a military officer could declare independence without a visible role in the political movement for self-determination.

He said Ziaur Rahman’s actions were not sudden, adding that although he was not initially a political activist, he had long held the vision of an independent Bangladesh.

Quoting from Ziaur Rahman’s article, titled Birth of a Nation, Rahman highlighted a passage describing the early hours of 26 March 1971 as “a day etched in the Bengali’s heart”.

He also noted that the same article was republished in 1974 by Weekly Bichitra, again without objection, which he said demonstrated that contemporaries considered its contents accurate.