Jamiyat Chief Sparks Debate on Independence

The political climate in Bangladesh has grown increasingly charged, as the electoral campaign season transcends mere promises and rallies, stirring debates about historical narratives that have long been considered settled. A recent statement by Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, during a gathering in Chattogram has reignited discussions regarding the origins of the nation’s independence.

Speaking at the rally, Dr Rahman asserted that the movement for independence in 1971 actually began on the soil of Chattogram. He credited Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), with initiating the first call for revolt, claiming it was Oli Ahmad who first shouted “We revolt” and personally guided Ziaur Rahman forward in the struggle.

The remarks immediately sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many questioning whether this is an attempt to reinterpret the established history of Bangladesh’s independence.

Adding fuel to the discussion, an old interview of Colonel Oli Ahmad has resurfaced online, challenging conventional accounts. In it, he claims that despite Tajuddin Ahmad’s request, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was initially reluctant to formally declare independence. According to Oli Ahmad, it was Ziaur Rahman who first broadcast the declaration from Kalurghat. He further explained that while Zia initially declared himself head of state, he later included Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s name following Oli Ahmad’s advice.

At the same time, an archival video clip of the late Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Saidi has gone viral, in which he refers to Ziaur Rahman as the great proclaimer of independence. The controversy has been further intensified by a contentious social media post on Dr Rahman’s X (formerly Twitter) account regarding working women, which the party claims was the result of a hack—a claim that opposition parties have rejected outright.

The debate has now permeated public consciousness, raising fundamental questions about the distinction between “revolt” and the formal “declaration of independence,” and about who rightfully deserves historical credit.

Timeline of Key Claims on Independence

As the election season progresses, the issue has become a focal point of political and social debate, provoking curiosity and controversy among citizens. Discussions about historical accuracy, leadership credit, and the semantics of revolt versus formal declaration continue to dominate national discourse.