OP-ED: Should Ziaur Rahman's gallantry title be revoked?

Anis Alamgir [Published in Dhaka Tribune on February 12th, 2021] Examining different sides of the argument The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been out of power for more than a decade. The party’s top leader, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been released on bail on the condition that she won’t engage in political activities, thus the government decided to suspend her sentence in a corruption charge. Another top BNP leader, Tarique Rahman, is in exile on several charges, including murder. In such a situation, a committee of the government has recommended revoking the state title “Bir Uttam” given to Ziaur Rahman for his contribution to the Liberation War. The problem has emerged as a new challenge for the BNP, plagued by lawsuits and verbal attacks. And currently, a political debate is going on about the recommended decision of revoking Zia’s title. After the War of Liberation in 1971, 68 people were awarded the title of “Bir Uttam” as the second-highest medal after “Bir Shrestha” for their heroic contribution to the war, and Ziaur Rahman’s name was at number three in this list. In the newspaper, I read that near the eve of the 50th anniversary of independence, the National Freedom Fighters Council has decided to cancel the state title of Ziaur Rahman. At the 72nd meeting of the organization on February 9, 2021, the council also recommended cancelling the state titles of Bangabandhu’s self-confessed murderers Shariful Haque Dalim, Nur Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury, and Mosleh Uddin. The name of Ziaur Rahman is included in the list, thus, their family members will not get any state benefits for their contribution to the Liberation War.

The reasons behind the decision against Ziaur Rahman have been cited as involvement in the plot for assassinating Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, aiding and abetting Bangabandhu’s self-confessed murderers and appointing them to important government posts, violating the constitution, and rehabilitating 71’s anti-independence politicians. At the same meeting of the council, it was decided to remove Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed’s name from the state list, which has been included as a “memorable person” for his contribution to the Liberation War. However, these decisions haven't been implemented yet; it depends on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. They may decide to send the proposal to the cabinet for a final decision. Surely a committee will be formed to look into it. It seems the suggestion came suddenly, but it is not. The AL has been questioning Ziaur Rahman’s contribution to the Liberation War for a long time. It’s noticed that General Zia’s party BNP has always tried to establish Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of independence, especially after the assassination of Bangabandhu. However, the BNP couldn’t prove Zia as the proclaimer of independence, as the AL couldn’t prove Zia wasn’t a freedom fighter. In recent times, although, the AL has been talking about Zia’s role in the assassination of Bangabandhu, his posthumous trial, and Zia’s controversial role since the 1975 political changes through bloody coups, it was a less focused debate whether Zia was a freedom fighter or not. People somehow think that at the beginning of the war of 71, at the moment of uncertainty, Major Ziaur Rahman had called for a War of Independence on March 27, 1971, on behalf of Bangabandhu. His call inspired people from all walks of life to go ahead. However, the AL has been accusing Ziaur Rahman of bringing anti-independence forces, including Ghulam Azam, into politics. The BNP has failed to give its proper answer. The BNP’s activities are still anti-independence and in favour of the killers of 75. All the nations of the world have had to navigate the hardest paths to achieve something worthy. Our pride is the independence that we earned through great dedication, led by Bangabandhu’s heroic role. In East Pakistan, some people didn’t support Sheikh Mujib, but most did. Those anti-Sheikh Mujib people have got many chances, during the last 50 years, to organize themselves, and became ready to take revenge. Now they want to ruin all the achievements of Bangladesh. History testifies that Ziaur Rahman allowed the anti-independence forces of Bangladesh to get organized. General Ziaur Rahman formed BNP with the military officers who returned from Pakistan, and people from many political parties joined BNP too. This party’s birth story is synonymous with a military junta that seized power, later floated a political party to stay longer in power. Ziaur Rahman fought for the War of Liberation with the slogan “Joy Bangla.” When he came to the centre of power after November 1975, he gathered all the anti-AL elements for his political interests. He changed the slogan “Joy Bangla” to “Bangladesh Zindabad,” changed “Bengali nationalism” to “Bangladeshi nationalism.” Ziaur Rahman made the indemnity ordinance issued by Khandaker Mushtaq to stop the trial of Bangabandhu’s assassination through the fifth amendment of the constitution. The way Ziaur Rahman did politics with anti-Liberation forces, in the same way, the present BNP is walking on and somewhere they are taking further steps with making alliances with the anti-Liberation forces. The question arises as to whether the AL government can take away Ziaur Rahman’s title -- when the charges against him have not been tried in any court. He isn’t accused in the Bangabandhu murder case. Experts say the government can do that if it wants, there are instances of revoking the title later for various reasons in many countries. Even during the Pakistan period, some Bengalis were awarded but later their awards were taken away by the Pakistani government. And Zia wasn’t on the list of accused in the Bangabandhu murder trial, because he was dead. Dead persons aren’t tried under Bangladeshi law. In this situation, only the title can be taken away, but there is no chance to dismiss Zia’s name as a freedom fighter. The decision of revoking Ziaur Rahman’s gallantry title may take time, and it’s also a political debating topic -- whether it’s inevitable to revoke his title or not. Anis Alamgir is a journalist and columnist, noted for collecting Iraq and Afghan war news. Contact: anisalamgir@gmail.com.