'Without 7 November, politics would have taken another path,' says Shahadat Hossain after paying tribute at Biplob Udyan in Chattogram

Bangladesh's politics could have taken another path had the soldiers and the people not acted together on 7 November, said Chattogram City Corporation Administrator Dr Shahadat Hossain. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Saturday afternoon, after laying wreaths on behalf of the city corporation at Biplob Udyan in the Sholoshahar Gate No. 2 area of the city on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

He said that on 7 November 1975, the soldiers and the people freed martyred President Ziaur Rahman from captivity and brought him among the people. Without the united role of the soldiers and the people that day, Bangladesh's politics could have gone another way, he said, adding that Bangladeshi nationalism emerged through 7 November and that the spirit of the day must not be forgotten.

Dr Shahadat Hossain said that before 7 November 1975, the country was passing through various political and military developments, and at one stage martyred President Ziaur Rahman was imprisoned. He was then freed through the soldiers-people's revolution and brought among the people. The events of that day took Bangladesh's politics in a new direction, and through 7 November the people of the country tasted freedom from the chains of subjugation.

He said, 'We had got the red-and-green flag, but we were still subjugated. Through 7 November, the common people of this country were freed from those chains of subjugation. The day is also important in the history of press freedom, democracy and the economic liberation of the people.'

Referring to Ziaur Rahman's time in office, the city administrator said his role was important in economic progress in sectors such as agriculture, the readymade garment industry and remittance income. The spirit of 7 November must be spread among the new generation so that the country's independence and sovereignty are protected and the democratic journey continues.

Speaking about the renovation of Biplob Udyan, Dr Shahadat Hossain said, 'After I took charge as mayor, I saw that history had been presented here in a distorted way. Martyred President Ziaur Rahman had declared his rebellion from this Biplob Udyan, saying "We Revolt". Yet the history of the Six Points was presented here. The Six Points have no connection with the events of this Udyan.'

He said renovation work is under way to present the Udyan's true history and significance to the new generation. There is a plan to install a 400-tonne national flag there. The events of 25 March 1971 and Ziaur Rahman's declaration of rebellion will also be presented, so that future generations learn the history of Biplob Udyan.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute at the graves of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. A discussion meeting was also held in Sunamganj to mark the day.

The city administrator added that everyone must unite to confront the dominance of foreign countries and keep the country's independence and sovereignty intact. People must take an oath to build a developed, prosperous and just Bangladesh, upholding the patriotism, honesty and ideals of martyred Ziaur Rahman.

Those present at the programme included Abul Hashem Bakkar, former general secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP; Md Ashraful Amin, acting chief executive officer and secretary of the city corporation; Captain Shamim Mohammad Khan, chief cleanliness officer; Dr Kissinger Chakma, chief education officer; Anisur Rahman, chief engineer; Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, chief accounts officer; Dr Imam Hossain Rana, chief health officer; Mohiuddin Murad, law officer; Harun Zaman and Yeasin Chowdhury Liton, joint conveners of the metropolitan BNP; along with city corporation officials, employees and BNP leaders from different levels.