Dhaka: Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has stated that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of independence was the fundamental call that formally initiated the Liberation War across the country. ‘Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of independence was, in essence, the call to the Liberation War. Through this call, the ‘people’s war’ formally began across the country, uniting farmers, workers, and ordinary people in a single thread,’ he said in an exclusive interview with BSS at his office at the Secretariat today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, who is also a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized the importance of the declaration during a period of extreme uncertainty in 1971. Recalling the night of March 25, Tuku, also a freedom fighter, recounted how the Pakistani occupation forces launched a brutal genocide across the country under ‘Operation Searchlight,’ instilling fear and devastation in Dhaka. This left people confused and panicked, with many fleeing the city for safety.
Tuku narrated his experience of witnessing a historic turning point while heading towards Narsingdi. He described how people gathered around a transistor radio at a roadside tea stall to hear Ziaur Rahman’s voice declaring independence from the Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram, a moment that instantly transformed the situation. The announcement infused the people with immense courage, replacing despair with renewed determination. ‘People believed that since Bengali soldiers had revolted and joined the war, it was possible to resist the Pakistani army,’ Tuku said, explaining that the declaration motivated people to join the war.
He asserted that Ziaur Rahman’s declaration cannot be overlooked in the narrative of Bangladesh’s independence, as it provided a beacon of hope at a crucial juncture. Tuku stressed that the Liberation War was not confined to any single political party but was a genuine people’s war, involving farmers, workers, and common people who participated with great courage and sacrifice.
Tuku portrayed Ziaur Rahman as a courageous warrior who not only declared independence but also actively participated in the battlefield, with his contributions being an integral part of the nation’s history. He also mentioned that Ziaur Rahman emerged as a leader during national crises, with his role in 1971 and later in 1975 during the Sipahi-Janata Biplob (People-soldier uprising) reflecting historical necessities.
Tuku criticized attempts to undermine Ziaur Rahman’s contributions as a disgraceful chapter in history. He accused the Sheikh Hasina-led government of attempting to portray the Liberation War as the property of a single party, thereby questioning historical truths and causing significant damage over the past 54 years. He added that the failure to recognize all contributors reflects deep ingratitude and fuels controversy surrounding the Liberation War, which is painful for freedom fighters. Tuku emphasized that the BNP has never regarded the Liberation War as belonging to any particular party, viewing it instead as a universal war.