Information Minister: Zia's 'We Revolt' call was key to independence
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the late President Ziaur Rahman transformed a struggling political movement into a war through his intellect, wisdom, and courage with the "We Revolt" declaration. He asserted this declaration was a crucial element of Bangladesh's independence. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar titled 'Martyr President Ziaur Rahman and Bangladeshi Nationalism,' organized by the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) at Jagannath University. The event commemorated the 45th death anniversary of the martyr president. The seminar, held at Jagannath University's central auditorium, was attended by Swapan as the chief guest. The keynote speaker was Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Md. Rais Uddin. Minister Swapan further explained that the national identity of the people within the 56,000 square miles was later defined by language. He cited an incident involving Manabendra Larma, a non-Bengali, which highlighted that national identity wasn't fully established through language in 1971. In this context, Major Zia of 1971 became President Zia in 1975 to unite Bengalis, issuing another call, 'I am Major Zia speaking, peace must be restored in the cantonment.' Swapan highlighted that Ziaur Rahman later resolved national crises by introducing Bangladeshi nationalism, establishing the philosophy that everyone in this land is 'Bangladeshi' based on citizenship. This philosophy, he noted, prevents issues for people of different religions, castes, or ethnicities and safeguards geographical integrity, emphasizing coexistence within the nation. Several other dignitaries attended, including Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman, UTAB Secretary General Md. Morshed Hasan Khan, and university officials. The main paper was presented by UTAB Jagannath University branch General Secretary Nasir Ahmad, with UTAB Jagannath University branch President Md. Nasir Uddin presiding.
The minister's remarks frame Ziaur Rahman's actions as pivotal to national liberation and unity, emphasizing his role in transforming a political movement into armed conflict and later establishing Bangladeshi nationalism. This perspective highlights the strategic importance of communication and ideological framing in nation-building, particularly in post-conflict or transitional periods. The analysis of Bangladeshi nationalism as a unifying force for diverse populations suggests a focus on civic identity over ethnic or linguistic ones, which can be a strategy for managing internal cohesion in a multi-ethnic state. Such narratives often serve to legitimize past leadership and shape contemporary political discourse by emphasizing foundational contributions to national identity and stability. The long-term implications involve how these historical interpretations influence national memory and future political alignments, potentially creating enduring ideological frameworks.
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