Essayist, Researcher and Literary Critic Prof. Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq at a seminar (in middle) held at Bangla academy today in the capital. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Mar 25, 2025 (BSS) - Essayist, Researcher and Literary Critic Prof. Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq underscored the need for reconstructing the country’s history in line with the future aspirations as well as understanding how the country’s history has been recorded, analysed and interpreted.
 
“The past must be reconstructed in a way that aligns with the new direction we want to go. To advance, each generation must re-write its history, reassess its past, and move forward with new knowledge and perspectives.” he said.
 
Prof. Abul Kashem, also President of Bangla Academy was addressing a seminar, organized by Bangla Academy marking the Genocide Day and the 55th Independence and National Day at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium at Bangla Academy here.  

He said, “Understanding our national history is crucial for our progress. As we move toward the future, we must not only describe the new state we wish to achieve but also consider how the past has been recorded, analysed and interpreted”.
 
“Without a deep understanding of history, no subject can reach its full potential, and its benefits cannot be fully realized. Those who have led reform movements in the past understood this concept profoundly,” he added.
 
The former DU Bangla Department Professor also said, “It is important to note that debates over contemporary history are common among nations. However, many nations particularly those that have made progress do not distort historical facts.”
 
While they may adjust interpretations, they remain rooted in accuracy, ensuring that the details of past movements, aspirations, and plans for the welfare of the people are communicated clearly, he said, adding, “All the historic events of the country should be understood in the context of their original intent and goals.”
 
He noted that in the case of our 1971 Liberation War, history has been distorted in various ways, both before and after the event. “Those who have written the history, with political leaders behind them, have shaped it to suit their interests and have propagated it accordingly.”
 
This manipulation has led to insufficient and skewed discussions about our national history, he added.
 
Citing Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay remarks ‘Without having a accurate history of Bengal, the Bengali people will never truly become human’, Abul Kashem said, “This sentiment was also echoed by Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote that while Bengalis are Bengali by identity, they need to become more human. In other words, simply being Bengali is not enough to fully develop one’s humanity.”
 
Describing how Awami League’s leadership emerged and flourished, he said, “In other countries, when a major event occurs, all political parties that are somewhat aligned come together to face opposing forces, and through this, the matter is resolved.”
 
“But here, the Awami League followed a policy where they would take the lead, make all the decisions, and not include others. This approach led to certain divisions, and many questioned its effectiveness,” he said.
 
The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the subsequent events surrounding it, including the deaths of his family members and the political turmoil that followed, form a critical part of our history, he said, adding, “The sequence of these events is not merely a series of isolated incidents; rather, they represent the evolution of a significant chapter in our nation's struggle for political stability and unity.”
 
“To move forward as a nation, we must look at our history with honesty and clarity, reconstructing it where necessary while ensuring that it aligns with our aspirations for a better future,” he concluded.