Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. File Photo

By G M Rajib Hossain

DHAKA, March 26, 2025 (BSS) - Historical records testify that Major Ziaur Rahman had declared the independence of Bangladesh soon after the Pakistan occupation forces resorted to barbaric military crackdown codenamed "Operation Searchlight" on the innocent unarmed people of this country on March 25 night, 1971, that saw myriad causalities across the country. 

Gallant freedom fighters recounted with respect Ziaur Rahman's proclamation of independence, saying his voice had an electrifying effect on the suddenly bewildered nation, raising hope among the people exposed to the brutal atrocities of Pakistani barbarian army. 

Sector-3 Commander during Liberation War, Maj. Gen. K M Safiullah Bir Uttam, who was later elected as a lawmaker from Awami League, enunciated Zia's declaration of independence in his book "Bangladesh At War".

He wrote: "Having settled his score with his commanding officer on the night of March 25, Zia decided to take his battalion on the outskirts of the city to reorganize, strengthen and then launch a decisive blow on Chittagong. All troops were collected at a place near Patiya".
"...All the troops then took an oath of allegiance to Bangladesh. The oath was administered by Zia at 1600 hrs on March 26. ...After having made these arrangements, Zia made his first announcement on the radio on March 26. In this announcement, apart from saying that they were fighting against Pakistan army, he also declared himself as the head of state," he wrote.
 Safiullah further penned down, "... As the battalion began to gather strength, in the afternoon of March 27, Zia made another announcement from the Shwadhin Bangla Beter Kendra established at Kalurghat. The announcement reads as follows: I, Major Zia, provisional commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Lliberation army, herby proclaim, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the independence of Bangladesh".

Ziaur Rahman also himself elaborated about how he made announcement the proclamation of independence. In his own article 'Birth of a Nation', Ziaur Rahman, who was an army major during the Liberation War, said, "We revolted for independence on the night of March 25".

The article was first published on 26 March, 1972 issue of the Dainik Bangla as it was later republished in the Independence Day issue of the Weekly Bichitra in 1974.
 
Major Zia wrote in the article: "...When I returned to the Battalion. I saw that all Pakistani officers were arrested and kept in one room. I went to the office. I tried to communicate with Lt. Colonel MR Chowdhury and Major Rafique but I could not. Later, I called the telephone operator of the civilian section. I requested him to inform the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Commissioner, Deputy Inspector General and the Awami League leaders that the 8 Battalion of the East Bengal regiment revolted and they would fight for independence of the country".

This account is referenced in the book "President Zia of Bangladesh: A Political Biography" by journalist and writer Mahfuz Ullah.

Zia also wrote, "I tried to contact all of them by phone but could reach none. Therefore, I wanted to inform them through the telephone operator who gladly agreed to keep my request. Time was very precious. I called the officer of the Battalion, the JCOs and the soldiers. I delivered a speech addressing them. They knew everything. I talked of everything in brief and ordered them to engage in armed fight. They all unanimously and whole-heartedly agreed to obey my order. I gave them a military plan".

"It was 2:15 am, March 26, 1971. A day written with letters of blood in the heart of Bengalis. People of Bangladesh will remember the day forever. They will love to remember it. They will never forget this day. N-e-v-e-r," the article ended quoting Ziaur Rahman as saying. 

Bangladesh's former prime minister and Awami League's former general secretary Tajuddin Ahmed in his report at AL's council session in 1972 said, "...Bangabandhu called for countrywide general strike on March 27 in protesting huge civilian casualties by military firing." 

He also said: "Major Ziaur Rahman, who was fighting with arms in Chattogram, announced proclamation of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu on radio in line with the suggestions of AL leaders and had sought help from the globe in stopping genocide in Bangladesh".

Indian journalist Jyoti Sen Gupta in his book "History of Freedom Movement in Bangladesh" said, "...Major Zia and his force revolted in the early hours of March 26 and first declared proclamation of Bangladesh on radio in his own name in the evening of the same day". 

Special assistant to prime minister Tajuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh government in exile during liberation war Muyeedul Hasan wrote in his book "Muldhara '71", "...8 East Bengal's rebellion leader Major Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh as independent on March 27 evening".

Deputy chief of staff of Bangladesh force during the Liberation War and later AL government's planning minister A K Khondker in his book "Vitore Baire: 1971" said, "...Major Zia in his first announcement posed himself as president. Later he corrected it and read out declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu. It is recorded on tape and re-broadcasted before evening of March 27".

Director general of Jubo Shibir for freedom fighters S R Mirza said in the book titled "Muktijuddher Purbapor: Kathopokathon" that he always kept a radio along with him after March 25 and he turned it on several times. 

He said, "I clearly heard on March 27 afternoon that Major Zia declared independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Bangabandhu".

Indian army officer Sukhanto Singh joined Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The ex-Major General of Indian army in his book "India's Wars since Independence: The Liberation of Bangladesh" also wrote: "The voice of Bangalee officer Major Zia was already waved on Chattogram Beter on March 26".