The interim government of Bangladesh on Tuesday abolished the status of ‘Father of the Nation’ of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s father and first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. For this, an ordinance was issued and the words ‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ were removed from the law. Along with this, the definition of freedom fighter and struggle of 1971 has also been changed. Recently on June 1, Mohammad Yunus’ government has also removed the picture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the new currency notes. Pictures of Hindu and Buddhist temples will also be printed on the new notes. However, old notes and coins will also remain in circulation. Status of freedom fighters to those who took training in India Under the new definition of freedom fighter, the citizens who prepared for the war, participated in training camps in India, took up arms against the Pakistani army and its allies between March 26 and December 16, 1971 will be considered freedom fighters. Under the new definition, members of the armed forces, East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police, Mukti Bahini, Mujibnagar government and its recognized forces, naval commandos, Kilo Force and Ansar have also been included in the category of freedom fighters. The women (Veerangana) who were tortured by the Pakistani army and their allies during the war will also be considered freedom fighters. Along with this, the doctors, nurses and medical assistants who treated the injured Bangla fighters during the war will also be considered freedom fighters. Change in the definition of freedom struggle Earlier it was said that the freedom struggle started on the appeal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Now his name has been removed in the new definition. Now it has been defined as an armed struggle that lasted from 26 March to 16 December 1971. This struggle was fought by the people of Bangladesh against the Pakistani army and its local allies for the establishment of a democratic country based on equality, human dignity and social justice. A major change was also made in the textbooks in January The current government of Bangladesh made a major change in the textbooks of the country in January. The new books state that in 1971, Bangladesh was given independence from Pakistan not by Mujibur Rahman but by Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman was the husband of former Bangladesh President Khaleda Zia. He became the Co-Army Chief after the independence of Bangladesh. Later he also became the President of the country. In 1981, he was assassinated by some people associated with the army. Controversy over the declaration of independence of Bangladesh It has always been controversial in Bangladesh as to who declared independence there. The Awami League claims that this declaration was made by ‘Bangabandhu’ Mujibur Rahman, while Khaleda Zia’s BNP party gives credit to its founder Ziaur Rahman. Attack on many symbols related to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Since the coup in Bangladesh in August 2024, symbols related to Sheikh Mujibur were continuously attacked. His statue was vandalised in Dhaka and nameplates installed at many public places were also removed. The interim government had also cancelled 8 government holidays related to independence and the founding days. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first President of Bangladesh. He was also the Prime Minister of the country from 17 April 1971 to 15 August 1975. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s father Mujibur Rahman also played a major role in getting Bangladesh independence from Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated at his home on 15 August 1975. Sheikh Hasina, who was living in India for the last 10 months, left the country and came to India on 5 August last year. Actually, students were protesting against her across the country. On 5 June, the High Court in Bangladesh implemented a 30% quota system in jobs, against which university students in Dhaka were protesting. This reservation was being given to the families of freedom fighters. However, the Hasina government later abolished this reservation. After this, students started protesting demanding her resignation. A large number of students and common people took to the streets against Hasina and her government. Two months after this protest, on 5 August, she resigned from the post of Prime Minister. After this, an interim government was formed. —————————————– Read this news too… Sheikh Hasina’s father’s picture removed from Bangladeshi currency: Sheikh Mujibur is considered the father of the nation, photos of Hindu-Buddhist temples on new notes Bangladesh’s central bank issued new notes of 1000, 50 and 20 taka on Sunday. The picture of Sheikh Hasina’s father and the country’s founding President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed from these notes. Read the full news here…
