Following Hasina’s removal from power in August 2024, there have been major shift in political landscape notable incidents in Dhaka and other major cities. As the current government argue and question Mujibur Rahman role in Bangladesh’s Liberation War. They want to re write history and modify the historical narrative of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, particularly the roles played by Mujibur and the Awami League.
Stating that Hasina’s administration promoted a Mujib-centric version of history, sidelining other contributors to the Liberation War leading bias and false narrative. Modifying through removal of Mujib’s statues, defacement of murals, revision of education curriculum, and the cancellation of national days associated with Mujib and his family. Is the current approach a necessary correction to an overly centralized narrative, or does its risk undermining the foundational history of Bangladesh’s independence?
Mujibur History:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, often referred as “Father of Nation”, was a central figure in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971. Born in March 17, 1920, in Tungipara, British Raj (now Gopalganji, Bangladesh), Mujibur Rahman was a charismatic leader and the founder of the Awami League, a political party that played importance role in the liberation movement. Under his leadership during the Liberation War and his declaration Bangladesh’s independence on March 7,1971, made him the national icon. Later after independence Mujibur made Bangladesh as secular and democratic constitution.
However, his tenure as the country’s first Prime Minister and later as President was facing unique challenges including economic instability and allegation of authoritarianism. Later Mujibur Rahman family was almost assassinated by a military coup, Sheikh Hasina was left in Germany, further she took Mujibur legacy.
Recent Trends:
Mahfuz Alam, a student leader serving as the special assistant to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, updated his cover photo on Facebook in October, which triggered curiosity and controversy. The photo showed all five leaders were of Pakistan movement of the 1940s who were associated with the 1947 Partition of India and the formation of Pakistan. Among them, only Abdul Hamid Bhasani was part of the 1971 liberation struggle, rest all were either died or inactive.
Same month, the Yunus government canceled eight national days, where six of them was involved in Hasina’s family members- March 7 for Mujib’s historic 1971 speech, March 17 Mujib Birthday, observed as Children’s day, August 5 Hasina’s brother Sheikh Kamal’s birthday, August 8 Hasina’s mother Sheikh Kamal’s birthday, August 15 for Mujib assassination observed as national mourning day and October 18 Hasina’s brother Sheikh Russel’s birthday. The two other national days canceled were November 4 National Constitution Day, and December 12 Smart Bangladesh Day. While November 4 National Constitution Day evoked controversy.
November 4 Controversy:
Political scientist Ali Riaz, who heads the Constitution reforms commission was asked if a new Constitution would replace the fundamental principles of “nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism. In respond replied
“These were mentioned in the Declaration of Independence but nobody remembers that because a year later, these were replaced by nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism. I think, equality, social justice and human dignity should be our fundamental principles”
