Swapan for conveying real history of Liberation War to new generation

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Tuesday stressed conveying the real history of the Liberation War to the new generation.

"The history is self-contained. It is born in the course of its own evolution. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's declaration of independence and wartime leadership are an indestructible truth," he said while speaking at a discussion.

Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged the discussion titled ' Proclaimer of Independence and Zia of the Battlefield' was organised at Jatiya Press Club in the afternoon on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day.

Speaking as the chief guest, the information minister said a section of people has been confused about the true history of Bangladesh for a long time. In particular, he said, the heroic stories and leadership history of the period from 25 March to 10 April in 1971 must be conveyed correctly to the new generation.

He said the history is born in the course of its own evolution and that is why no individual or group can write history in a fabricated manner.

The information minister said the attempt made by the fallen fascist Awami League to distort the history is no longer possible in this era of information technology.

In the 1970 elections, he said, the country's people voted in favour of autonomy but when the Pakistani ruling class, instead of handing over power, launched attacks on the unarmed Bangalees in the dark night of 25 March extreme uncertainty was created.

At that difficult moment, Swapan said, a 32-year-old young Bangalee military officer, Major Ziaur Rahman, declared rebellion and jumped into the frontline with the slogan 'I revolt'.

He said the declaration of independence by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman from the Kalurghat radio station on 26 March 1971 showed the path to war to the disoriented nation.

The speech of Tajuddin Ahmed, the leader of the government in exile, on 10 April, also recognised this rebellion and declaration, he said.

Referring to the current time as the age of information technology and citizen journalism, the information minister said there is no longer any opportunity to distort history or hide the truth.

He said the trend of multi-party democracy introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia's struggle to restore parliamentary democracy, and the continuity of the current leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman are interconnected.

Swapan said Shaheed Zia initiated multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and created an instance of liberal democratic culture by giving a place to the defeated forces in parliament.

Following the path, BNP is working to establish the rights of the country's people, he added.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain and DAB Chief Advisor Prof Dr Farhad Halim Doner also spoke at the meeting with DAB President Prof Dr Harun Al Rashid in the chair.

DAB Secretary General Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil moderated the discussion where doctors, politicians and media personnel, including Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Editor Md Fazlul Haque, were present.