New textbooks in Bangladesh say Ziaur Rahman declared independence


A vendor stands in front of a photograph of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. — Reuters/Archive

Bangladesh has introduced new textbooks for primary and secondary school students that claim that former army major and president Ziaur Rahman declared independence in 1971 instead of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The daily star reported.

The books earlier mentioned that Rahman had made the statement. Furthermore, Rahman’s ‘Father of the Nation’ title has also been removed.

The new books with various modifications were distributed among the students since the beginning of the new year on January 1.

Professor AKM Reazul Hassan, chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, said the new books for the academic year 2025 will state that “on March 26, 1971, Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, and on March 27, March, made another declaration of independence in Bangabandhu’s name.

Following Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as prime minister for the second time, textbooks since 2010 mentioned that Rahman declared independence through a wireless message just before her arrest.

Hassan added that the information was included in free textbooks where the subject of the declaration was mentioned.

Writer and researcher Rakhal Raha, who was part of the change process, said they tried to free textbooks from “exaggerated and imposed history.”

“Those who reviewed the textbooks found that it was not factual information that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent the wireless message. [declaring independence]…”

It should be noted that the declaration of independence in the textbooks was modified according to the government in power.

Awami League supporters believe that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared independence, while Rahman simply read the declaration on the former’s instructions.



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