Bangladesh revises textbooks, credits Ziaur Rahman for independence declaration

In a significant change to the nation's educational curriculum, Bangladesh has introduced new textbooks that credit Ziaur Rahman with declaring the country's independence in 1971, replacing the previous version that credited founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The new textbooks, set for the 2025 academic year, feature a series of revisions, including the removal of the title "Father of the Nation" from Mujibur Rahman.

According to a report by The Daily Star, the new textbooks for primary and secondary school students now state that "on March 26, 1971, Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh, and on March 27, he made another declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu."

This change was confirmed by Prof AKM Reazul Hassan, the chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board. The alterations were made in textbooks distributed for free to students, particularly those discussing the declaration of independence.

Rakhal Raha, a writer and researcher involved in revising the textbooks, explained that the goal was to present a more accurate history, free from what he termed "exaggerated, imposed history."

He added that those responsible for the revision found no factual basis for the claim that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent the wireless message declaring independence while he was imprisoned by the Pakistani army. As a result, the statement was removed from the textbooks.

Historically, the Awami League has maintained that Mujibur Rahman made the declaration of independence, while Ziaur Rahman, then an army major, only read it out on Mujib's instructions. In the aftermath of changes to the textbooks, the Bangladeshi government has also started phasing out the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from currency notes and other public symbols.

This move gained momentum following the ousting of Mujib's daughter, Sheikh Hasina, as prime minister on August 5.

Additionally, statues and murals bearing his likeness have been targeted, and the interim government canceled a national holiday that commemorated his assassination on August 15.