BNP vice-chairman and a sector commander in the liberation War Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat All said yesterday that the then Major Ziaur Rahman, as "Acting President and chief of the Armed Forces proclaimed the Independence and launching of the Liberation War from Kalurghat radio sta tion on March 26. 1971

In support of his contention. Mir Shawkat said Home Minister Ma| (retd) Rafiqul Islam, who was also a sector commander, as admitted the fact' at a Silver Jubilee cefebra-tlon programme recently

"No sector commander can distort the history of the great war no matter which party he belongs to." he said while shaking at a public rally In the

Contradicting Awaml

Leagues claim that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the Independence through his March 7. 1971 speech, the BNP leader said. "Had it been so. then why the war did not begin on March 7 and why the members of the East Bengal Regiment were killed due to lack of their preparations for the war? And what waa the preparations for the Bengalee army officers to fight the war against a modern army of Pakistan?"

He further added. We. the members of the East Bengal Regiment, were ready to fight for independence and expected a declaration from Sheikh Mujib on March 7. But we failed to un derstand hla March 7 speech" The East Bengal Regiment could easily disarm the Pakistani

soldiers and the massacre by them couki be avoided had I here been any such announcement he said.

Stating that there was no government of Bangladesh be tween the time of the Mujibnagar government was formed on April 17 and Zia’s proclamation of the independence on March 26. the valiant freedom fighter commented. The question arises, under whose leadership was the war fought during that time?'

He said. There is no denial of the fact that Sheikh Mujib led the Bengalees in their struggle since 1947. But It was Zia who organised the Liberation War by proclaiming the independence at a moment when the whole nation became bewildered after the March 25 night crackdown on the unarmed people". After the crackdown a declaration became inevitable on March 25 or 26 and Zia did that historic Job. he added.

Mir Shawkat said that the contributions of Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy. Maulana Bhashani and MAG Osmani to the struggle for independence should also be admitted for the sake of preserving the true history of the Liberation War.

"Let’s acknowledge everybody’s contributions and let’s not undermine anybody and avoid unnecessary controversy on the issue.’ he said.

Criticising the participation of the Indian allied forces at the fag end of the Liberation War. Mir Shawkat viewed. "It was not needed at a tune when we were very close to the victory

Chaired by Abul Quashem Choudhury, the rally was or-fanised by the BNP’s labour ront. Jatlyatabadl Sramik Dal. in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Victory Day Other BNP leaders including K M Obaidur Rahman. MP, Col (retd) Akbar Hossain. MP. Prof Jahanara Begum and Mirza Abbas also spoke on the occasion.

In his speech. K M Obaidur Rahman noted that the country s independence did not come overnight. "It came following the nation s long struggle that got new dimensions in its course from the 1952 Language Movement to the 1970 general elections through which Sheikh Mujib was given the nation's mandate." he said.

Referring to controversies on the proclamation of independence and the leadership in the liberation struggle. Obald said. "Undermining Mujib or Zia would tantamount to undermining the whole nation.

Col (retd) Akbar alleged that distortion of the history of the Liberation War began after the post-Liberation AL government started spreading falsehood about the war.