Without Ziaur Rahman's leadership on 7 November, Bangladesh would not have survived: Sakhawat Hossain

Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, a former adviser to the interim government, has said that had Ziaur Rahman not taken leadership in the historic events of 7 November, Bangladesh could not have survived in its present form.

He made the remarks on Friday (November 6) as chief guest at a seminar titled 'National Unity: The Spirit of 7 November', held at the National Press Club on the occasion of the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The Vision Peace and Strategy Studies Centre (VPSSC) organised the seminar.

Sakhawat Hossain said national unity was built around Ziaur Rahman on 7 November. He was a natural leader, and his honesty, courage, leadership qualities and nationalism made him popular with everyone, he said.

He said there are many kinds of narratives about 7 November, but to know the true events of history, research is needed based on the books of those involved and the statements of eyewitnesses. Referring to two books he has written, he said he has direct experience of the events from 1975 to 1981; at the time he was serving in the 46 Brigade.

Describing the course of events on 7 November, he said soldiers of the 2 Field Artillery freed Ziaur Rahman from captivity, and soldiers of the 4 Bengal were also with them at the time. After freeing him, they took him to the office of the commanding officer of 2 Field Artillery. He described the prevailing narrative about Colonel Taher's role in this as wrong.

Explaining the reasons for Ziaur Rahman's popularity, the former adviser said his reputation spread across the country from the time of the Liberation War. He was an extremely honest and courageous man. His honesty and personality carried special acceptance among members of the army, and his leadership qualities and nationalism set him apart from others.

He said that on 7 November, unity was created among army members and the general public centred on Ziaur Rahman. He did not try to establish himself as a leader; circumstances naturally brought him to the position of leadership.

On the role of Colonel Taher and the Biplobi Sainik Sangstha, Sakhawat Hossain said that after leaving the army, Colonel Taher joined JASAD and built the Biplobi Sainik Sangstha and the Gonobahini. His aim was to overthrow the government of the time. He also claimed that an attempt was made to use the events of 7 November to take Ziaur Rahman to the Shaheed Minar; in his account, Ziaur Rahman's life would have been at risk had he gone there.

On national unity, he said Ziaur Rahman took the initiative to remove the division between freedom fighters and non-freedom fighters within the army. At the time, army members faced shortages of uniforms, shoes and other necessary equipment. Alongside changing the army's structure and capacity, he tried to establish national unity — he even invited the Awami League to talks in the interest of national unity, he said.

Sakhawat Hossain said he doubts whether a leader like Ziaur Rahman will be seen again in his lifetime. He urged leaders to be more careful and far-sighted on questions of the country's foreign policy and national interest.

At the seminar, Professor Shafiul Haque said that although a government was formed under Khaleda Zia's leadership through the democratic process after the victory of the anti-autocracy movement in the 1990 mass movement, the necessary political settlement on the basis of national unity could not be achieved.

Shafiul Haque said the unity created through the sacrifice of 1,400 martyrs in the 2024 mass uprising and the injury, disablement and torture of 20,000 people must not be allowed to be destroyed in any way. The foundation of national unity must be the July Revolution and the July Charter, he said. Questions are now being raised about the consensus built through long discussions on constitutional reform, which is not in line with the people's expectations, he said, adding that the July Charter must be implemented and protected at any cost.

The keynote speaker at the seminar was Professor Dr Abdul Latif Masum, vice-chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University. The event was conducted by VPSSC chairman Lieutenant General (retd) Abdullahil Aman Azmi.