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had made the declaration.

Former NCTB officials said that when AL was in power from 1996-2001, the textbooks stated Sheikh Mujib made the declaration of independence and Ziaur Rahman read out the announcement. On the other hand, when the BNP was in power from 2001-2006, it was stated that Ziaur had made the declaration.

They, however, could not recall what was written in the textbooks before 1996.

Whether the change will spark new debates considering the difference of beliefs, Reazul said, “Of course not… This isn’t a matter related to Awami League or BNP. This is a national issue. We want to give due recognition to individuals like Maulana Bhashani and Tajuddin Ahmed, who also played significant roles in the Liberation War.

“We’re trying to make sure that focusing on factual representation remains consistent.”

The former NCTB officials also pointed out that though the authorities in power kept changing the name of who declared independence, the constitution, in which Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is mentioned as the “Father of the Nation”, included the telegram of the Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh made by Bangabandhu on March 26, 1971, in the sixth schedule.

The constitution also included the Proclamation of Independence of the Mujibnagar Government on April 10, 1971, in the seventh schedule.

It says, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of 75 million of people of Bangladesh, in due fulfilment of the legitimate right of self-determination of the people of Bangladesh, duly made a declaration of independence at Dacca on March 26, 1971, and urged the people of Bangladesh to defend the honour and integrity of Bangladesh....”

NCTB Chair Reazul said the telegram was introduced in the constitution through an amendment. “The documents of the Liberation War, the then Indian leaders, and the first post-independence documentary prepared by the then information ministry show evidence in favour of Ziaur Rahman making the declaration.”

In this regard, Rakhal Raha said, “The constitution can be amended through a two-third majority. You can do anything if you have that kind of [backing by] a majority. Any immoral act can’t be justified by the constitution. The truth is above the constitution.”

It is to be noted that among the changes in the textbooks, the NCTB has also removed the title “Father of the Nation” with regard to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.