Bangladesh revises history, textbooks to say Ziaur Rahman declared independence

Bangladesh has introduced new textbooks that state that Ziaur Rahman declared the country’s independence in 1971, replacing the previous ones crediting founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the declaration, according to a media report.

The new textbooks for primary and secondary students have several changes, The Daily Star newspaper said. The textbooks also removed the title “Father of the Nation” for Mujibur Rahman.

The new textbooks for the 2025 academic year will 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,” the paper quoted Prof AKM Reazul Hassan, chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, as saying.