Sepoy-People Unity and Sovereignty

The 7th of November is a significant and eventful day in Bangladesh’s political history. On this day in 1975, at a critical juncture marked by political and military instability, the collective uprising of rank-and-file soldiers and ordinary people led to the release of then Army Chief Major General Ziaur Rahman from confinement. The events of that day, shaped by questions of independence, sovereignty and national interests. The day subsequently became known as ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’.

Following the political changeover of 15th August 1975, Bangladesh witnessed a series of coups and counter-coups. After an uprising led by a section of the army under Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf on 3 November, then Army Chief Ziaur Rahman was confined to his residence. Political and military instability prevailed across the country for several days.

Against this backdrop, a rebellion broke out among rank-and-file soldiers from the night of 6th November into the early hours of 7th November during that time. They placed their trust in Ziaur Rahman’s leadership and subsequently secured his release from confinement. He later emerged as the central figure in the country's leadership.

The significance of 7 November is a historic chapter is closely associated with the name of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, his role in the Liberation War, the initiatives he undertook in governing the country, and his contributions to Bangladesh’s political and economic development. 

In the same historical continuum, former chairperson of the BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia’s democratic struggle and the present political realities under the leadership of her son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, also carry considerable significance. 

Rising from the battlefields of the Liberation War, this military commander subsequently assumed responsibility for governing the country. War-ravaged Bangladesh was then grappling with numerous challenges, including an economic crisis, food shortages, administrative weaknesses and political instability arising from the misrule of the previous government. 

He introduced various programmes to increase agricultural production, improve irrigation facilities, excavate and re-excavate canals, create rural employment and boost food production. His 19-point programme placed emphasis on agriculture, education, healthcare, population control, rural development and economic self-reliance.  His programmes encouraged domestic and foreign investment, expand opportunities for private enterprise, promote export-oriented industries including ready-made garments industry and increase overseas employment contributed to the subsequent development of Bangladesh’s economy. 

One of the most significant chapters of Ziaur Rahman’s political career was the restoration of the multi-party political system. He also founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on 1 September 1978. To promote Bangladeshi nationalism as a political philosophy and to bring people from different political ideologies and backgrounds under a common political platform.

His political philosophy placed importance on national unity based on Bangladesh’s distinct history, language, culture, heritage and geographical identity. Under his leadership, opportunities for multi-party political practice expanded and freedom of expression was also ensured.

Ziaur Rahman played a role in strengthening ties with the Muslim world, expanding cooperation with China and Middle Eastern countries, and broadening regional connectivity. His initiatives were also significant in advancing the idea of cooperation among South Asian countries by forming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985.

After assuming power, Ziaur Rahman undertook various initiatives to transform war-ravaged Bangladesh into a self-reliant and prosperous nation. Under his leadership, various programmes in agriculture, industry, the economy and rural development began to be implemented. However, many believe that domestic and foreign conspirators, alarmed by his growing popularity, sought to halt his progress. He was brutally assassinated during a military coup at the Chattogram Circuit House on 30 May 1981.

His sudden death plunged the BNP into a deep political and organisational crisis. At this difficult juncture, his wife, Begum Khaleda Zia, took over the party’s leadership. She subsequently played an important role in reorganising the party and leading the movement for the restoration of democracy.

Following the BNP’s victory in the 1991 parliamentary election, she assumed office as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister. Her government played an important role in the process of restoring parliamentary democracy here. During her tenure, issues such as women’s education, stipends for female students, the expansion of primary education, rural infrastructure development and greater economic participation by women received priority. 

Meanwhile, after the Awami League came to power in 2009, state celebrations and the public holiday marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day on 7 November were discontinued. For a long period, the day remained largely confined to limited programmes. As a result, an important chapter in the country’s national history was deprived of due consideration at the state level. During this period, Ziaur Rahman’s role in the Liberation War, his contributions to state-building and his political philosophy were made subjects of controversy intentionally by the Awami League.

The mass uprising led by students and the public on 5 August 2024 marked a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political history. The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, elected in 2026. This government took decision to observe 7 November as National Revolution and Solidarity Day with full state recognition. And through a Cabinet decision, the day was reinstated on the list of important national observances, and the public holiday was also restored.

After a prolonged hiatus, the restoration of state recognition and the public holiday has once again brought 7 November into the national spotlight. This is not merely the reinstatement of the formal observance of a particular day; rather, it has created an opportunity to remember and evaluate an important chapter in Bangladesh’s political history at the state level.
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The writer is Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister