Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad credits Ziaur Rahman for declaration of independence
Photo Collected
National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has asserted that the historical record of Bangladesh’s independence must acknowledge Major Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of sovereignty and the pivotal role played by the East Bengal Regiment. Speaking at a seminar titled “East Bengal Regiment in the Liberation War: History, Tradition and the Emergence of Bangladesh,” held at the RAWA Convention Hall in Dhaka, the Speaker emphasized that the true narrative of the struggle for independence rests upon these military contributions and the collective spirit of the masses.
Addressing the historical context of the 1971 conflict, Speaker Hafiz Uddin—himself a recipient of the Bir Bikram gallantry award—noted that the 1970 elections were initially contested to secure rights within the framework of Pakistan, rather than to achieve complete secession. Reflecting on the eve of the March 25 crackdown, he recounted that while early leaders were urged to declare independence, there was a refusal to adopt a separatist stance. He argued that it was the subsequent brutality of the Pakistani forces that necessitated an armed response, which was spearheaded by the East Bengal Regiment.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The Speaker credited the East Bengal Regiment with shifting the trajectory of the nation, suggesting that without their initial rebellion, the country might have remained under Pakistani rule. He stressed that the war was not the private endeavor of any single political party, but rather a “people’s war” defined by the existential survival of the Bengali nation. He noted that while only four thousand soldiers across five battalions formed the core military resistance, the movement was bolstered by hundreds of thousands of civilians, including students, teachers, and laborers, all of whom played an indispensable role in the liberation.
During the event, organized by the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAWA), the Speaker urged for the preservation of these historical accounts to inspire future generations. He maintained that the heroism demonstrated by the East Bengal Regiment, the East Pakistan Rifles, and the naval and air forces must be accurately reflected in the national archives.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The seminar featured contributions from Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, alongside several retired military officers who discussed the legacy of the conflict. Participants, including veterans, academics, and cultural figures, underscored the importance of documenting these accounts to ensure the epic history of the nation’s birth continues to foster pride and national identity for years to come.
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