Bangladesh Textbooks Say Zia’s Husband Declared Independence

Bangladesh has introduced new textbooks claiming that Ziaur Rahman, the late husband of BNP leader Khaleda Zia, declared the country’s independence in 1971.

According to The Daily Star of Bangladesh, the new textbooks for the 2025 academic session will replace the current ones, which credit Awami League founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the Declaration of Independence.

Also Read: Gambhir Uncertain About Rohit Place in Sydney Test XI

New Textbooks Change Independence Narrative, Remove Mujib’s Title

Since 2010, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, textbooks have stated that her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared independence through a wireless message before the Pakistan Army arrested him on February 26, 1971.

The report states that the new textbooks have also removed Mujibur Rahman’s title of “Father of the Nation.”

Prof AKM Reazul Hassan, chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, stated that the new books will mention that “Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence on March 26, 1971, and on March 27, he made another declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu.”

He added that they included this information in the free books, where the declaration issue is mentioned.

The paper reports that writer and researcher Rakhal Raha, who contributed to the textbook changes, stated that they aimed to remove “exaggerated, imposed history” from the books.

Also Read: Discussions Underway for a Memorial Honoring Manmohan Singh; Bharat Ratna Award Likely?