Freedom fighters say all was in vain if youth do not know proper Liberation War history

Several representatives of the generation of Liberation War freedom fighters have expressed their concerns about younger people lacking knowledge about the fight for independence from Pakistani persecution and the ideals of non-communalism, anti-exploitation and equality that inspired them.

They wonder if the younger generation have been able to overcome the distorted history they were taught by those who came to power after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

Some of them even said that all the achievements of the independence struggle would be in vain if the younger generation did not know about the struggle.

The sentiment was stated by 1971 Liberation War fighters, professors, politicians and cultural figures who came to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Independence Day to pay their respects.

People of all walks of life make their way to National Memorial at Savar to pay tribute to martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War on Independence Day on Tuesday. Photo: asif mahmud ove

MA Mannan Sikder, who was a Sector-9 guerrilla fighter in the Liberation War, said:

“The country is developing. Many are seeking out information on the Liberation War by themselves.”

“But they were taught false history after 1975. Much of the historical data has been lost. How accurate will their view of history be? This question lingers on my mind.”

Mannan, who fought the Liberation War in Savar, said:

“The youth have not been properly taught the goals and motivations of the Liberation War. They must not think it was a simple matter of victory. The Liberation War holds much more meaning.”

“Have the youth evaluated the economic, social and political freedoms the Liberation War was fought for in the 48 years since our independence?”

Captain Mosharraf Hossain had joined the army in 1965 and fought the Liberation War under the Dhaka Cantonment.

He said he has found historical mistakes in the textbooks used to educate younger generations.

People with physical disabilities join a procession to pay tribute to martyrs of the Liberation War on Independence Day. Photo: asif mahmud ove

“The students in our schools, colleges and universities will lead Bangladesh in the future,” he said, with concern in his voice. “But our current education is not sufficient. The students don’t understand most of the things they are reading.”

“If they do not know the true history of the Liberation War, all our struggles in the Liberation War would have been in vain.”

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said: “The pro-Pakistani forces spread various false information and false propaganda to confuse the youth. They aim to tear down our achievements in this manner.”

Workers Party President and former minister Rashed Khan Menon said that Bangladesh would stray from the correct path if the Pakistani ‘communal forces’ that were defeated began to spread among the younger generation.

Students go to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to martyrs of the Liberation War on Independence Day on Tuesday. Photo: asif mahmud ove

National University Vice Chancellor Prof Harun-or-Rashid said: “The values and ideals that motivated the hundreds of thousands of martyrs should be internalised by the younger generation so they can become good citizens.”

Those who attempt to spread negative ideas amongst the youth will never last, he said.

“Those who take negative stances will eventually destroy themselves. It is not possible to follow a path of conspiracy for very long,” the political science professor said.

Bangladesh Open University Vice Chancellor Prof MA Mannan said that he has hope for the younger generation.

“No matter how much anti-independence forces try, I hope the youth of Bangladesh will remain united and make Bangladesh a model nation.”