Bangladesh’s interim government has decided to alter the country’s historical narrative of “Independence” by revising textbooks to state that former military officer Ziaur Rahman, not Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the country’s independence in 1971.
In previous textbooks for Classes 1 to 10, the declaration of independence had been attributed to Bangabandhu.
According to officials from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) the decision is believed to be a move initiated by the Bangladesh government to remove what it considers “exaggerated” historical accounts and “unnecessary” glorification of individuals from textbooks for the upcoming academic year.
The NCTB chose to abandon the National Curriculum-2022 and revert to the 2012 curriculum starting from 2015, following the ouster of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina.
In the revised textbooks, it is stated: “On March 26, 1971, Major Ziaur Rahman announced Bangladesh’s independence from the Chittagong radio station.”
The changes also include a photograph of Ziaur Rahman making the declaration.
NCTB sources said that textbook covers featuring exaggerated depictions will be replaced with content reflecting national values, and all politically sensitive issues are under review for historical accuracy.
“The respect that Ziaur Rahman deserves will be reflected in the new curriculum. The portrayal of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, as a heroic figure is deemed unnecessary for educational purposes and will be omitted,” said a NCTB member.
To facilitate the changes in textbooks, expert committees were formed to revise 33 textbooks across various grades. Each committee, consisting of three to five subject matter experts, was tasked with implementing the changes as per directives from the NCTB and the interim government.
The printing process of the revised textbooks is currently underway.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh’s former Awami League have described the NCTB’s decision as an attempt to mislead the nation.
“It was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who declared independence, with Ziaur Rahman reading it on his instructions. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters claim their founder Ziaur made the declaration himself, which is incorrect,” said Razia Munni, daughter of M.A. Reza, the protocol officer to Bangladesh’s first interim president, Syed Nazrul Islam.
"If future generations are taught with distorted facts, Bangladesh will suffer in the years to come," she added.
Munni’s mother is the vice president of the Awami League’s central committee.
Jyotsna Mukherjee, a widow from Jessore who runs an old age home, said, “We grew up listening to how Bangabandhu declared Bangladesh’s independence. Now they are changing history. It’s shocking.”
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