‘Ziaur Rahman an inevitable character of independence, Liberation War’

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Friday that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was an indispensable figure in Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War, condemning past attempts to diminish his contributions.

“Attempts in the past to humiliate Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and deny his work have only proven that he is an inevitable character of the Liberation War,” he said addressing a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on the occasion of Independence and National Day, was chaired by Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s role in proclaiming independence, Tarique said that Ziaur Rahman did not act spontaneously. Though a military officer rather than a political activist in his early life, Ziaur Rahman had long nurtured the vision of an independent Bangladesh, reflected in his article “Birth of a Nation”, published in the now-defunct Dainik Bangla on 26 March 1972.

“It was then 2:15am. March 26, 1971. A day etched in the Bangalee’s heart in blood letters. The people of Bangladesh will remember this day forever. They will remember and love it. They will never forget this day. Never, never,” the prime minister quoted from the article and said that the article reflected Ziaur Rahman’s thoughts clearly.

“Despite later attempts to belittle Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, what is true cannot be hidden. He remains an inevitable figure in our history,” the Prime Minister added.

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Noting that Weekly Bicitra, a sister concern of the same newspaper, reprinted the same article in 1974, the prime minister said but none raised any objection at that time too, because those who were there at that time knew that every sentence, every word of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman mentioned in the article was true.

Tarique paid rich tributes to all martyrs of 1971, recalled wounded freedom fighters, and acknowledged the contributions of ordinary citizens to the Liberation War.

He cautioned that while history should not be forgotten, over-focusing on the past can blind the nation to future progress.

Describing the Liberation War as the most glorious chapter in Bangladesh’s history, the prime minister said, “Victory was achieved against one of the strongest armies of the time. Discussion and research on our history will continue, but no debate should diminish the glory of our independence.”

He said, “Only those who fight for freedom can truly understand its value. We achieved independence at the cost of millions of lives in 1971 and defended it at the cost of thousands in 2024.”

Tarique emphasised the need for unity to realise the aspirations of the people. “Though our ambitions exceed available resources, if we move forward together, we can build a self-reliant Bangladesh,” he said, citing government initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, canal excavation, tree plantation, and employment programmes.

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Stressing coexistence, mutual respect, and positivity, he concluded, “On this Independence Day, let our pledge be to live well in this country, as people from all walks of life.”

The discussion featured speeches from BNP Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Prime Minister’s Agriculture Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Educationist Professor Wakil Ahmed, economist Professor Mahbub Ullah, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam also addressed the event.