The brave visionary
Ziaur Rahman, 1936-1981Born in 1936, Zia led a live of courage and conviction, and honesty and integrity. In fact, it is his brave role during the war of liberation in 1971 that subsequently contributed to the shaping up of national politics. He joined the army in 1953 and, at the age of 29, won a gallantry award for his bravery in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. In the Indo-Pak he made his mark as a valiant fighter in the Khemkaran sector as the commander of a company, which was one of those to receive maximum gallantry awards for heroic their heroic roles. In 1969, he joined the Second East Bengal Regiment as its second-in-command at Joydevpur. He was sent to West Germany for higher training.
On his return home in 1970, Ziaur Rahman, then a young major, was transferred to the eighth East Bengal Regiment in Chittagong as its second-in-command. During the liberation war in 1971, the then Major Zia had significant and historical contribution.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the struggle for equality and human rights for the Bengali people in East Pakistan and had built an unprecedented momentum that finally culminated in a strong movement to unify a part of a divided nation (East Pakistan) that was politically and economically disadvantaged and in disarray, resulting in the struggle for independence. But in the early morning of March 26, 1971, he was arrested by the Pakistani army on charges of treason for challenging the authority of the government of Pakistan and 'plotting to split the country'.
After the military crackdown since the night of 25 March 1971, rumours ran rife, of an imminent military action against the Awami League and the population. Most senior leaders of the party went underground and the people were left in utter confusion about their fate. At this crucial juncture, when the political leadership failed to give any kind of direction, the eighth East Bengal Regiment under the leadership of Major Ziaur Rahman revolted against the Pakistan army and took up the Bangladesh flag as its mainstay on the night between March 26 and 27, 1971. Zia took up the momentous decision of declaring the independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong. Only 35 then, he led the eighth East Bengal Regiment and controlled the Kalurghat Bridge area, three miles northeast of Chittagong. At 7:45pm on March 26, his declaration was broadcast, which became historic in the struggle for independence. This broadcast was picked up by a Japanese ship anchored midstream in the Chittagong harbour. The rest of the world also came to know of it, when the news of this declaration was broadcast by Radio Australia.
In the wake of the genocide that began on March 25, on April 4, Major Zia, under the leadership of MAG Osmani and other high-ranking officials of armed forces involved in resistance in the eastern part met at Teliapara, Sylhet, to plan coordinated actions. This meeting played a pivotal role in the following nine months of armed struggle against the Pakistani army. Teliapara was in the hands of the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters) until middle of May. The Pakistani army had attacked countless times before they could dislodge the tenacious freedom fighters.
Since his historic declaration, people from all walks of life, including the army, found a direction and the motivation needed to fight for independence, March 26 was subsequently recognised as Swadhinata Dibosh (Independence Day), and the name Bangladesh was in effect henceforth. Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra continued to broadcast from Kalurghat from March 26 to March 30, 1971. But it had to end transmission in the afternoon of March 30 after it was attacked by the Pakistani air force.
However, before the station was relocated, it aired one more message from Major Ziaur Rahman. The first conventional brigade was named Z Force after Zia's initial in July 1971 and he was appointed the commander. This brigade consisted of 1, 3 and 8 East Bengal. Major Zia and his troops were in the forefront of the war. He and the armed forces under his command kept the Chittagong and Noakhali areas under control. He played a brilliant role in the war both at the level of planning and execution.
As the commander of Sector I up to June 1971 and later as the head of Z Force, he distinguished himself as a brave warrior and received the gallantry award Bir Uttam. It is worth noting that when he revolted on the night of March 25, his family was left in jeopardy, vulnerable to wrath of the murderous Pakistani forces. Major Zia knew it very well that he only had one way out — fight and win the war. A political settlement might have resulted in the pardon of the politicians but a court martial and firing squad was inevitable for him and his men. Simply put, he had taken a much bigger risk. Yet, modest as he was, he never sought any credit for his contribution to the independence. When Sheikh Mujib returned to the independent Bangladesh from Pakistani jail and made him deputy chief of staff of the army, Zia silently went back to his regular duty.
After Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many members of his family had been killed in August 15, 1975, the political situation was extremely volatile. One of the key conspirators, and once a close associate of Sheikh Mujib, Khandakar Mushtaq Ahmed took over presidency and there were many coups and countercoups, especially between November 2 and 7, 1975. Zia was not involved in any of these coups. The army chief then, he was forced to resign and put into house arrest. It is only after the 'Sipahi-Janata Biplab' on November 7, 1975 that Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest. He entered politics on the wings of a huge popularity among people at large, military and civilians alike.
President Ziaur Rahman's enduring contribution to the history of Bangladesh is to create a political party named the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and BNP candidates won landslide electoral victories and he went on to become the seventh president of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981. Although Zia was in power only for four years and had to die a brutal death, his creation, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is now one of the largest political parties in the country now. His lasting legacy will be his contribution to giving the people of Bangladesh an identity — Bangladeshi — that is inclusive of all ethnicities and religions. This identity emerged from Zia's political philosophy of Bangladeshi nationalism, which was embraced very enthusiastically by an overwhelming majority of Bangladeshis. President Zia made a complete transformation from a military man to a charismatic political leader, enjoying the full confidence of the vast majority of Bangladeshis.
During this time he embarked on the last stages of bringing about national stability. His three-pronged peaceful revolution to achieve self-sufficiency in food, full literacy, and zero population growth signalled an era of hope for the new nation. It was President Zia who first thought of a possible regional cooperation among the seven countries of South Asia and took the initiative to formally propose a plan for the South Asia Regional Cooperation in 1980, which culminated in a cooperation movement through an agreement between the seven countries in 1983.
There are legitimate reasons why President Ziaur Rahman became a popular statesman and leader. Shaheed Zia responded to the call when the country needed him to be a brave soldier, to take up arms and lead the fight for Bengali nationalism, but in an independent Bangladesh, as the president, he understood the need for an inclusive nationalistic identity for the people of the erstwhile East Bengal/East Pakistan who are predominantly Muslims but absolutely respectful and accommodating to the rights of non-Muslims and non-Bengali ethnic groups. He did not only focus on his own government and party, he understood fully the need and role of a strong opposition in a democracy. President Zia made it his first priority to bring back multiparty democracy in Bangladesh. Rather than trying to permanently erase the Awami League from Bangladesh, he took all the steps necessary to allow the Awami League revamp from the ruins of BAKSAL that was ironically the brainchild of the Awami League government. Much against the aspiration of the people, the newly created country's leader failed to rise above the mere party interest and rebuild the country as promised as a Golden Bangla. Many opposition activists were killed. Bangladesh history may alway have to carry the burden of the murder of Siraj Sikder, a prominent leftist leader. Later on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was seen boasting in parliament saying, 'where is Siraj Sikder now?'
After the liberation war, in 1972, when it was time to built and reconstruct the country which was totally torn apart from the war, the increasing political unrest gave rise to increasing violence, and in response, Mujib began increasing his powers. And finally, on January 25, 1975, Mujib declared a state of emergency and his political supporters approved a constitutional amendment banning all opposition political parties creating BAKSAL. Sheikh Mujib was declared 'president for life', and given extraordinary powers. Moreover, all the newspapers were banned except the four state owned newspapers. President Ziaur Rahman not only amended the constitution to accommodate multiple political parties, but also ensured freedom of press and media.
After Ziaur Rahman had assumed presidency, he was confronted with a nation suffering from severe poverty, chronic unemployment and economic stagnation. His '19-point programme' emphasised self-reliance, rural development, decentralisation and population control. President Zia worked energetically and spent much of his time travelling throughout the country, preaching the 'politics of hope' by continually urging all Bangladeshis to work harder and to produce more. Zia launched major projects to construct irrigation canals, power stations, dams, roads and other public works. Directing his campaign to mobilise rural support and development, he established gram sarkar (village councils) system of self-government and the village defence party for security and crime prevention.
He focused on boosting agricultural and industrial production, especially in food and grains, and to integrate rural development through a variety of programs, of which population planning was the most important. He promoted private sector development, boosted the garments and textile industry and exports growth. His government reduced quotas and restrictions on agriculture and industrial activities. Programmes to promote primary and adult education on a mass scale were initiated and focused mainly across rural Bangladesh. During this period, Bangladesh achieved fast economic and industrial growth. Former US president Ronald Reagan later praised him for his leadership and said, 'The United States — indeed the world — had come to respect President Zia's profound and compassionate commitment to a better life for his people and his dedication to the rule of law. His wisdom in international affairs will be sorely missed.'
It is during President Zia's regime that the recruitment of women in the police force started. He also set up the women's affairs ministry on December 11, 1977, increased the number of reserved seats for women in parliament from 15 to 30 and raised the quota for women in government jobs. He realised the need of the youth, and set up the youth development ministry, which was later merged with the sports ministry. He also set up the Shishu Academy and Shishu Park.
President Ziaur Rahman totally rejuvenated the cultural aspect of Bangladesh. In 1976, he introduced the annual Ekushey Padak to give recognition to renowned litterateurs, artists, educationists and prominent personalities who had taken part in the language movement and in other spheres of national life. In 1977, Swadhinata Padak, the highest national award, was also introduced to recognise significant contributions of persons and organisations to various fields.
When President Ziaur Rahman was killed in 1981, he was only 45. But within this short lifespan he contributed enormously to Bangladesh. Even after so many years of his death, he is still subject to criticism by his adversaries and the Awami league. It is about time that, for the sake of the youth of our country and the future generation, all the politicians and civil society gave due respect and honour to each and everyone who contributed to the liberation war and the birth and development of this country.
Much of our political problems and mudslinging will stop if we as a nation stop fabricating and falsifying history and give everyone their dues. The country will benefit greatly if we accept history the way it happened and move on towards the development of the country.
Shaheed Zia's ideas, his visions and his philosophies are as relevant today as it was during his time. If we try to read his earlier speeches, they will appear timely and pertinent. His vision defining Bangladeshi nationalism remains the most inclusive and the most successful vision of our nationhood that was ever articulated by a Bangladeshi leader. Even today, after 32 years after his death, changes in Bangladesh constitutional framework initiated by him remain the basis of governance in Bangladesh. After his death, the Time magazine, in its June 8, 1981 issue, published a full-page report. The report comprised of these sentences: 'The slain Zia had been one of South Asia's most promising leaders, a man who lived modestly while others chose corruption, who searched tirelessly for solutions to his country's awesome poverty.'
Shama Obaed is a central committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and president of Jatiyatabadi Muktijuddher Projonmo.
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