Ziaur Rahman was first to declare independence: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said, martyred President Ziaur Rahman declared independence in the early hours of 26 March, which the Awami League denies.

He said, “It is documented and internationally proven that Major Ziaur Rahman was the first to declare independence.”

Salahuddin made these remarks on Friday afternoon at a discussion meeting organised by BNP at the Institution of Engineers auditorium in the capital on the occasion of Independence and National Day.

The Home Minister said, “It is now globally recognised that martyred President Ziaur Rahman was the proclaimer of independence. On the night of 25 March, when Pakistani forces began mass killings in places including Rajarbagh, Major Ziaur Rahman declared rebellion from Chattogram and called for independence.”

He added, “It is documented that the Liberation War began through Ziaur Rahman’s declaration.”

Criticizing the Awami League, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The previous government created false documents and narratives about independence for a long time. For narrow political interests, they denied the true history and tried to give all credit to a single person.”

He said, “The Awami League is not willing to give credit to anyone. But we want to recognize everyone’s contribution and do not want to take away anyone’s honor.”

The minister added, “The contribution of BNP in protecting independence and sovereignty and in introducing multi-party parliamentary democracy is undeniable. Especially after the mass uprising of 1990, the democratic journey under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia is a bright chapter in Bangladesh’s history. BNP has always provided uncompromising leadership against fascism and authoritarianism.”