Tarique Rahman Urges Balanced View of History at Independence Day Discussion

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged caution to ensure that the glory of the Liberation War is not undermined in the name of discussion, criticism, or research, and that the past does not become an obstacle to moving forward into the future. He said,

“When I discuss any historical context, I am often reminded of a proverb, which I frequently mention in my speeches. It goes: ‘If one remains fixated on the past, one eye becomes blind’… and ‘If one forgets the past, both eyes become blind.’ Over the past 17 years, there has been so much focus on the past that the core history of the country has been obscured. Therefore, while we must not forget the past, we must also ensure that dwelling on it does not hinder our progress toward the future.”

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized by BNP on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day at the Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital on Friday afternoon, March 27.

The Prime Minister said that Ziaur Rahman is an indispensable figure in the independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh. He noted that discussions and research on the glory of independence will continue from generation to generation, but warned that nothing should be said in the name of such discourse that diminishes the core history of independence.

He added that the independence and Liberation War did not belong to any single party; rather, it was a “people’s war.” Drawing the attention of the younger generation to the declaration of independence and its context, Tarique Rahman said that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was a central figure in Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War. He explained that Ziaur Rahman may not have grown up as a political activist but was a soldier who nurtured the dream of an independent country. He consciously embraced the spirit of independence and did not declare independence suddenly; rather, he had long prepared mentally and was waiting for the right moment. He cited Ziaur Rahman’s own article titled “A Nation is Born” as strong evidence supporting these views.

He further said that although aspirations are limitless, resources remain limited. Despite the gap between ambition and capability, he expressed confidence that a self-reliant Bangladesh is achievable if the nation moves forward in unity. To achieve this goal, he said, the current democratic government has initiated various programs targeting different segments of society, including Family Cards, Farmer Cards, canal excavation, and other initiatives aimed at improving the standard of living.

He called for this year’s Independence Day pledge to be: “Not just a section of society, but all of us will live well together.” He added that collective efforts would ensure a better future, InshaAllah.

The discussion meeting was organized by BNP on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day. This marked Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s first party gathering speech after assuming office. The event began after 3:00 pm and was chaired by BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

In his presidential address, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that BNP had endured 18 years of struggle without bowing down. He expressed that the Prime Minister envisions building a new Bangladesh, which will be realized under his leadership.

He also warned that anti-independence forces have once again become active 55 years after independence. He said those who had supported the Pakistani occupation forces and were complicit in atrocities against women are now engaging in various conspiracies, urging everyone to remain vigilant.

Also present at the discussion were BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Dr. Abdul Moin Khan; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan; Livestock Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie; State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku; State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque; economist and political analyst Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah; and Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam.

Leaders at various levels of BNP and its affiliated and associate organizations were also present at the meeting.

DBTech/DHE/MUM/OR