Sheikh Mujib did not declare independence for fear of a sedition case, Chhatra Dal leader Awal claims at Zia Udyan

Chhatra Dal vice-president Dr Touhidur Rahman Awal has claimed that on 25 March 1971 Tajuddin Ahmad took a draft declaration of independence to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but Sheikh Mujib did not issue the declaration for fear of becoming an accused in a sedition case.

Awal made the remarks on Friday (6 November) afternoon at Zia Udyan in the capital, while distributing leaflets and campaigning among the public after offering prayers at the graves of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Leaflets on Ziaur Rahman's 19 points, Khaleda Zia's Vision 2030 and Tarique Rahman's 31 points were distributed at the time.

Criticising Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, Dr Awal said: 'Sheikh Mujib did not declare independence. During the Liberation War he was in Pakistan. His daughter Sheikh Hasina has also fled to India and will not be able to return to Bangladesh.'

Awal said the dreamer of Bangladesh was Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttom. He said that Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia, during a meeting with the Maulana, had once used three words about Ziaur Rahman — 'good, honest and patriotic'.

Saying that the Zia family has continued that ideal, he said Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman are symbols of goodness, honesty and patriotism.

Criticising Sheikh Hasina, he said: 'Fascist Hasina has still not expressed regret to the people of Bangladesh for her actions. The people of Bangladesh are waiting for her trial.'

Saying that now is the right time to build the country, Awal said the slogan of soldiers and people on National Revolution and Solidarity Day was 'army and people are one, foil the conspiracy'. On 7 November 1975, he said, the united army and people rescued Ziaur Rahman, and in the same way the whole of Bangladesh was united during the mass uprising of 2024.

Criticising Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's rule, Awal said the politics of enforced disappearances and killings began in his time. In contrast, Ziaur Rahman established multiparty democracy in the country. He claimed that Ziaur Rahman also had a contribution behind the return of Jamaat-e-Islami and Sheikh Hasina to politics.

He further said: 'The activities of Sheikh Mujib's time were the trailer, and Sheikh Hasina's rule was the full-length film. Their collaborators will have no political address left on the soil of Bangladesh.'