Claims of Distorted Narratives in Bangladesh’s Liberation War History

A significant portion of the history written about Bangladesh’s Liberation War after independence has been shaped by what he described as “false narratives”, according to Nurul Islam Saddam, Central Secretary General of Islami Chhatra Shibir. He made these remarks on Tuesday evening while addressing a seminar at the Sirajul Islam Lecture Hall of the University of Dhaka.

The seminar, organised by the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, was held to mark Victory Day under the theme “Fifty-Four Years of Victory: Building the Future in the Light of Independence.” The discussion brought together student leaders and political activists to reflect on the Liberation War, its historical interpretation, and its political legacy.

In his keynote address, Nurul Islam questioned why successive governments failed to prepare an authoritative list of martyrs immediately after independence. He argued that, instead, different administrations compiled new lists of freedom fighters at different times, creating confusion and controversy that, he claimed, had been exploited for political purposes. According to him, these processes fostered prolonged secrecy and selective recognition, which he described as a calculated strategy to divide the nation.

He further alleged that such practices enabled economic benefits to be channelled into private hands, deepening social and political divisions. This, he said, represented a subtle but enduring form of political manipulation that has shaped public discourse around the Liberation War for decades.

Reflecting on the organisation’s own history, Nurul Islam stated that Islami Chhatra Shibir had upheld the ideals of independence since its inception and had consistently worked to protect national sovereignty. He recalled that during what he termed “the Awami League’s authoritarian period”, the group’s Victory Day rallies frequently resulted in mass arrests. Each year, he added, members were forced to account for how many activists had been detained following commemorative events.

In a religious reflection, he remarked that Bangladesh was freed from Pakistani oppression in 1971 by the will of Almighty Allah, and suggested that the events of 2024 represented another historic moment, through which the nation had been liberated from what he described as imperial domination.

Speaking at the seminar, Rafe Salman Rifat, Chief Coordinator of United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), offered a broader historical perspective. He noted that between 1947 and 1971, the people of Bengal endured repeated upheavals and immense bloodshed before the emergence of an independent Bangladesh. He emphasised that the Pakistani military and ruling elite had unquestionably carried out widespread and brutal genocide, while also acknowledging early atrocities such as the Bihari killings, which, he said, must be examined with honesty.

Addressing debates surrounding Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rifat observed that discussions about the country’s founding leader contain many contradictions and complex contexts. He argued that intellectual integrity demands recognising both achievements and failures with equal clarity.

In his closing remarks, seminar chair and Dhaka University Chhatra Shibir President S M Farhad stated that the organisation had observed Independence and Victory Day every year, despite repeated crackdowns. He claimed that numerous leaders and activists had been arrested annually while attempting to commemorate these national milestones.

Seminar at a Glance

The seminar underscored the continuing debate over how Bangladesh’s Liberation War is remembered, recorded, and politically interpreted—an issue that remains deeply intertwined with the nation’s identity and future direction.