True History of Liberation War Must Be Documented: President

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.Photo : Collected

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on Friday stressed the need to properly document and present the true history of Bangladesh's Liberation War, saying many significant chapters of the war remain unknown to the people.

"Many of those who assumed state power after independence did not want to present the true history of the Liberation War before the people. As a result, countless incidents, sacrifices and acts of heroism during the war remained unknown to the general public. That history must be accurately documented and presented before the people," he said.

The Acting President made the remarks while delivering the chief guest's speech at the 54th Commissioning and Fellowship Day of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment.

The Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation organised the programme.

Hafiz Uddin said efforts were made after independence to create a perception that Bangladesh achieved independence solely through a few speeches.

"In reality, however, countless young people, sons and daughters of ordinary families and soldiers sacrificed their lives to achieve the country's independence," he said.

He said the Liberation War was a struggle to establish democracy, human dignity, equal rights and a discrimination-free state.

"Even after five decades of independence, that dream has not been fully realised," he said, adding that the July Mass Uprising was also an expression of people's aspiration to establish democracy.

He urged the younger generation to learn how Bangladesh achieved independence and understand the dreams of the freedom fighters, calling on them to work towards building a happy, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.

"No autocratic rule should ever emerge again in the country. Under no circumstances should the democratic system be destroyed," he said.

"The great Liberation War of 1971 was a war of the common people, a war for establishing democracy and a struggle to secure the people's voting rights, human dignity and equal rights," he added.

The Acting President said the patriotism and willingness of freedom fighters to sacrifice their lives were among their greatest strengths.

"It was not the war of any political party; rather, the Liberation War began as a consequence of trampling democracy by disregarding the people's verdict," he said.

He noted that Pakistan's then ruling authorities had ignored the people's mandate despite the 1970 election, in which voters in what was then East Pakistan had backed regional autonomy based on the Six-Point Programme.

Referring to the contribution of military officers, he said Bengali soldiers and officers of the East Bengal Regiment and East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) revolted against Pakistani forces and began armed resistance after the army launched a campaign of genocide and repression against unarmed civilians.

Recalling the sacrifices of ordinary people, Hafiz Uddin said many were eager to join the battlefield despite difficult living conditions, limited food and an uncertain future.

He described the sacrifices of those who sought opportunities to fight for the country as a glorious chapter in the history of the Liberation War.

The Acting President said the resistance mounted by members of the East Bengal Regiment and EPR in March 1971 played an important role in the early stages of the war.

"Battalions of the East Bengal Regiment established resistance at different cantonments across the country and under the leadership of a limited number of soldiers, thousands of students and youths joined the Liberation War," he said.

Highlighting the selfless sacrifices of freedom fighters, he said they took up arms not for personal recognition but to protect the country's existence, people's lives and the honour of women.

Hafiz Uddin also recalled his wartime experiences, saying he recruited youths from different camps to form a new battalion while thousands of students were waiting along the border for opportunities to join the war.

He said foreign military instructors were astonished by the courage demonstrated by Bangladeshi freedom fighters in battles, including the Battle of Kamalpur.

Describing the formation of the Bangladesh Army after independence, he said the force was small in 1972 but was strengthened by its determination and willingness to sacrifice for the country.

The Acting President also recalled the contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, saying his declaration of Bangladesh's independence inspired people during the Liberation War.

Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he recalled that she was also arrested by Pakistani occupation forces during the war.

Hafiz Uddin stressed the importance of properly documenting such accounts and preserving them for future generations.

He expressed hope that present and future generations would uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and work to build a discrimination-free, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan attended the programme as the special guest, while Major A. Matin Chowdhury delivered the welcome address.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim also addressed the event.