Bangladesh Revises Textbooks, Credits Ziaur Rahman with Independence Declaration

The interim government removes Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s title as 'Father of the Nation' and alters historical accounts of the 1971 independence declaration.

New textbooks for Bangladeshi students now state that Ziaur Rahman declared the nation's independence on March 26, 1971, and later reaffirmed it on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The title 'Father of the Nation' for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed from the updated curriculum.
The revisions come under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Critics argue that the changes reflect longstanding political disputes between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party over the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.
The interim government has also initiated broader efforts to diminish Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s legacy, including removing his image from currency and canceling a national holiday commemorating his assassination.