I hear… of your recent saying that both the Army and the Government needed a Dictator. Only those generals who gain success can set up military dictatorships. What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship.”
– Abraham Lincoln, message to General Joseph Hooker, Army of the Potomac
May 30 is the 28th anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman’s death. It came approximately 10 years and 2 months after he gave a radio announcement, from Chittagong, declaring the Independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, then in the custody of the Pakistani Army.
During our Independence War, he was Sector Commander over much of today’s Chittagong Division, and commander of Bangladesh Army’s ‘Z” brigade. At the end of the war, with Pakistani forces crumbling before the assault of joint Indo-Bangladeshi forces and surrendering on 16 December 1971, he was awarded the Bir Uttom.
At the onset of independence, Zia became one of the senior-most officers of the Bangladesh Army. His performance during the nine-month war and his radio announcement at the onset of the war marked him as different from his fellow officers. He was made Brigade Commander of Comilla, close to where his force had done most of the fighting during the war.
The Government brought him to Dhaka in June 1972 and made him Deputy Chief of Staff, under Major General Shafiullah, who commanded the “S” Brigade during the Independence War. It is as Deputy CoS that he moved into the 6 Shahid Moinul Road residence, where he would live the rest of his life. It is from this post that he observed the imposition of one-party dictatorship in Bangladesh when Sheikh Mujib, by a constitutional amendment, made Bangladesh a one-party state, banned all other political parties, all but four newspapers, and named himself President.
After the brutal assassination of Sheikh Mujib and most of the members of his family by a group of army officers, Zia was elevated to Chief of Staff but placed under Major General Khalilur Rahman, who was made Chief of Defense Staff. The regime, after killing Mujib’s four most-trusted political lieutenants, heroes in their own right, planned to send Zia abroad, as it sent Shafiullah. However, before that could transpire, the murderers were toppled by a counter-coup led by Brig. Khaled Musharraf, Chief of General Staff, one the most valiant leaders in our Independence War. Zia was placed under house-arrest. He was then freed by a counter-counter-coup by Col. (rt) Abu Taher, fellow Sector Commander, and leader of the banned Jatiyo Samajtrantik Dal (National Socialist Party). The counter-coup also tragically resulted in Brig. Mosharraf’s death.
Shafiullah, Zia, Mosharrah, and Taher were all awarded the Bir Uttom, the highest gallantry decoration awarded to living participants. Under normal circumstances, they should, by all right, have been able to look forward to long careers in our defense forces, promotions to command rank, and eventual retirement with the whole-hearted blessings of a grateful nation. Instead, Shafiullah was abroad, Mosharraf was dead, and Taher advoced a left-leaning revolutionary state. With the adoption of one-party statehood by the Parliament, the Awami League, until then Bangladesh’s pre-eminent political party, had also been disbanded. Zia found himself with no credible political establishment to hand over power to, a faction-ridden armed forces that was more dangerous to Bangladeshis than to foreign enemies, and an economy on the brink of collapse.
His subsequent actions, becoming Chief Martial Law Administrator, founding BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party), introducing multi-party democracy, allowing the publication of newspapers, holding parliamentary elections (in which Awami League became the largest opposition party in parliament), trying to revitalize the country’s industrial sector, and adopting a muscular foreign policy, were the attempts of an imperfect man to try and make the best of an imperfect situation. He survived eighteen coup attempts, before being killed by the nineteenth one, in his beloved Chittagong, the scene of his life’s greatest hour, where he had come to resolve inter-party factions in his young BNP. Bangladehis from all walks of life poured into his funeral prayer service, making it the single largest such gathering in Bangladesh’s history.
I can not know, but I imagine he must have been a little tired by the end of his life. If the last thought that flashed through his mind was his young widow and the two little boys he left behind; maybe, after death, he found the peace he had been denied in life. The generation which should have together led Bangladesh, together turn old and hale and watched their children grow up in a free country as free men and women, and in the twilight of their lives accepted our accolades as Bangladesh’s greatest generation, had together torn each other apart. His would be the last life to be lost in that decade-long bloodbath, but by the sacrifice of his own life, he would bring the killing to an end; all subsequent transfers of power in our country would be bloodless, if not voluntary.
Testimony is paid to Zia, throughout the year, by Awami League leaders who slander and villify him every chance they get. They try to tear down the man who allowed them to re-form, and graciously accepted their leader’s return from exile in India. His statues are broken down, and bridges leading to his memorial in Dhaka, beside the National Parliament, are mysteriously removed under the cover of night. All debates about the fate of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his great predecessor, inevitably contain someone viciously belittling him.
Yet, the idea of Zia remains. Our only head of state to have actively fought the Pakistanis in a field of battle, today he sleeps the well-deserved sleep of those who have fought the good fight. It remains to us to do our best in the imperfect world he left for us.
May 31, 2009 at 4:25 am
[…] At the onset of independence, Zia became one of the senior-most officers of the Bangladesh Army. His performance during the nine-month war and his radio announcement at the onset of the war marked him as different from his fellow officers. He was made Brigade Commander of Comilla, close to where his force had done most of the fighting during the war… ( More at In the Middle of Nowhere) […]
August 18, 2009 at 10:19 am
I ask a question Clearly, We know Zia was on of great Freedom fighter and Sector Commander during Liberation War. I reckon he was Patriot Solder. Why he help betrayer to reestablished and safe them @ Pass Indemnity Act?
Is there any answer, if you are a pure soul of human?
May 29, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Dear Sir,
Learn more about Ziaur Rahman hope u will get your answer.
March 25, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Well that act included reestablishing the party known as Awami league responsible for banning all political parties in the Independent country of Bangladesh and creating an authoritarian state in 1975. That is why he is called the one who brought back Democracy in Bangladesh.
I have a suggestion ? Do a but research on the history of Bangladesh. Not from awami sources only but from international ones as well 🙂
That would help you understand better. Best of luck!
December 27, 2009 at 2:25 am
Zia is the greatest leader in the history of bangladesh. You are naive to think that Seikh Mujib made any progress to Bangladesh. Instead, Mujib formed BAKSAL, turned as a dictator in 75. Mujib presented famine in 74, killed millions of people. Mujib’s cabinet was a pure joke, his relatives were awarded all important positions to governments, Gazi Golum Mostafa – KombolChora, Abdur Rab Sernibat, his brother-in-law, Seikh Fazlul Haq Moni – his nephew, these are corrupt ministers. Mujib killed/raped his political opponents including Siraj Sikdar.
Seikh kamal, Mujib’s son was a lompot and looters. He forcibly married athlete Sultana from Dhaka University and looted money from Bangladesh Bank.
Mujib was a tyrant dictator. Mujib signed Simla agreement with Indira Gandhi for 25 years of slavery bondage.
Mujib is a curse for Bangladesh, Mujib was a traitor, Mujib was corrupt. Muijib has done nothing for the goodwill of Bangladesh. Mujib wanted a kingdom, Mujib wanted to be a ‘Bongoshor’ by sucking the blood of the poor people.
March 27, 2010 at 11:39 am
Zia ur Rahman (Bir uttam) – He is the most oppotunist person in the history of Bangladesh till now. He betrayed with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman becasue he know the plan of Faruq and Gangs, he betrayed with our four leader becasue he knew about their killing, he betrayed with Col. Taher who rescued him from army, he betrayed with our constitution by altering it to save those who killled Sheikh Mujib and by deleting four points from constitution. During his time most army persons were killed. He establized corruption in our country by fraud voting and administration. Zia ur Rahman was employed by Pakistani arm force. By chance he became a freedom fighter. He became politician without background. Without those elements our nations history would be more enhanced.
March 27, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Alamgir, did he also betray Sheikh Hasina when she broke her promise to hold early elections in 2000? Or Moeen when he usurped power in 2007?
The funniest part of your very funny post is your assertion that Ziaur Rahman, a decorated military officer, became a freedom fighter by chance. I wish more of the Awami League leaders who ran to Calcutta and hid there for nine months had more “chance” to become freedom fighters. In fact, maybe if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had more “chance,” he would not have stayed home and surrendered to the Pakistani forces without any protest or fight, while Pakistani forces marauded across all of Dhaka city.
Instead of worrying about our national history, please enhance your own knowledge and understanding.
April 1, 2012 at 7:30 am
Sorry man… I think you have academic background only up-to signature label…. To know Zia.. you have to read so many thinks.. you have to meet so many persons…. more importantly you have to be impartial …
.
March 30, 2010 at 6:14 am
Mr Alamgir, as regard to your apparent doubt about Ziaur Rahman’s allegiance and involvement during the liberation war of 1971, I can only say this much that he was awarded the second highest military honour, Bir Uttom, by none other than the father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I am sure the father of the nation wasn’t a dimwit to bestow the honour upon Zia for fighting on the Pakistani side, or even for not fighting. Or maybe you know something that we don’t?
April 5, 2010 at 4:18 am
In our Bangladesh History, there was only one person who officially first destroyed the democracy in our country and that was our father of the nation, Bongobondhu Sheik Mujibor Rahman, in 1975, on 15th of January. He even created his own bahinies, Rakkhi Bahini, Shecha Shebak Bahini, Joy Bangla Bahini, Lal Bahini, etc. to protect himself, his so-called Mujibbad and snatched away from the people freedom of press, freedom of expression, fundamental rights along with all political rights. He banned all newspapers, except 4 states run Newspapers. Strangly though, two of these States newspapers were managed by Sheik Moni. The coup in August 1975 unfortunately, assassinated/killed him and majority of his family members. Some of the army officers involved in the 1975 coup, broke the laws (by leaving Pakistani Army)and risked their lives in 1971 and joined the Mukti-Jhodha and fought for the country to liberate the country from Pakistani tyranny. Having said that the same Army Officers again took the laws in their hands in August 1975, and removed another dictator, that was unfortunately our beloved Bonghobondu Sheik Mujibor Rahman, to liberate the country from Bongobondhu’s dictatorship. No one can justify these brutal killings, that took place in August, 1975. And some of these Army Officers have been punished already. The reason, however, you are speaking, perhaps writing freely today, it’s due to that unfortunate incident. Had Bongobondhu survived or had the incident never took place, you would not be able to write what you are writing now.
Please read the following links that will give you a clear picture on how the famine in Bangladesh 1974 that affected the whole country and how Bangobondhu’s administration failed to deal with the issue:–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64htOibIEM4. hree part documentary, has demonstrated very clearly some of the unfold truth about the issue.
The following information is taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Mujibur_Rahman
“Mujib was criticized for nepotism in appointing family members to important positions.”
“Political unrest gave rise to increasing violence, and in response, Mujib began increasing his powers. On January 25, 1975 Mujib declared a state of emergency and his political supporters approved a constitutional amendment banning all opposition political parties. Mujib was declared “president for life,” and given extraordinary powers.[20][26] Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, commonly known by its initials—BAKSAL.[5] The party identified itself with the rural masses, farmers and labourers and took co ernment forces and a militia of supporters called the Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini, Mujib oversaw the arrest of opposition activists and strict control of political activities across the country. Members of Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini were granted immunity from prosecution and other legal proceedings.[26][27] The militia and police were accused of torturing suspects and political killings. While retaining support from many segments of the population, Mujib evoked anger among racy and civil rights. [20] The underground opposition to Mujib’s political regime intensified under the clout of dissatisfaction and the government’s inability to deal with national challenges and the dissatisfaction within the Bangladeshi army.”
On the other hand, President Zia, a Mukhtijodha who fought in the liberation war, unofficially took over power in 1976 and Officially in 1977. The evidence suggests that in his tenure, there were 21 coups and the last one where he himself was killed. These coups cost so many lives. Zia was, by no means, not above the laws either. However, that does not mean, he was not a Muktizodha. If you believe in Bhasha Andolon in 1952, if you believe in our liberation war and Muktizodha, sorry Mr. Alamgir : you need to learn to recognise the President Zia as a Muktizodha.
Bonghobondu was such a great leader who inspired every single person in Bangladesh during the liberation war but the same Bondhobondu failed miserably during his tenure in (1972-1975). President Zia had his flaws during his tenure too (1976-1981). I do not want to get into Ershad’era as well as to our two golden Ladies periods. At the end of the day, Awami league, BNP, and other parties including SHibir-Jamaat, all are well known for their dirty politics. In fact, because of these groups and respective politicians, our innocent people are still suffering. We all know how these parties have used their workers to destroy, kill so many innocent people in our country. That does not mean, we have rights to fabricate information on Muktijodha. I vehemently disagree with this.
October 5, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Please watch the documentary by professor Anwarul Kabir about all the killings, coup and so called court marshals during the period of 1975 to 1981. Please also read the books written by non political military officers of that period. then you can judge General Ziaur Rahman!!
November 24, 2010 at 11:35 am
I like president ziaur rahman very much. He is my most favourite person in this world.
January 6, 2011 at 2:17 pm
With due respect to all presidents of Bangladesh i would like to point out a few things:
1) President Zia was a freedom fighter but at the same time he was a killer of freedom fighters. He was the one to estublish the Razakars in Bangladesh.It proves that he was a collaborator working for Pakistan.
2) His wife Khaleda was a “Birangona” and along with the Bengali people i was hoping her to represent all the women who was killed and/or raped during the war and help the current Govt. in effort to bring the war criminals to justice. Instead, she decided to help the war criminals. Now the question:is shereally a Birangona or she went to the pakistani during the war by herself? is she didnt go by force, then why is she opposing the war criminal trial?
3) Khaleda was almost divorced by her husband Zia after the war because she was raped, But Bongo bondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made Zia the Assistant chief of Army, and told Zia to take khaleda home because he (Mujib) called her as daughter and zia took her home. Now what she does in august 15th every year is 100% unacceptable and i think a person with minimum sense won’t do it.
4) we all know what zia left behind, but look at his uneducated, gang leader kids now. All BNP people, please ask yourself about how they got all this. Don’t be so blind about Tarek and coco because before tarek come to power he stole hundreds of millions of dollars and think about when he is in power.
5) when bongobondhu died, zia tried to find anything on his name but found nothing, so please be careful of what you say about the father of the nation.
Thanks
January 8, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@Jay:
Some of the killers of Sheikh Mujib were freedom fighters. By your logic, does that mean Sheikh Hasina is also a razakar?
I’m afraid your comments about Khaleda Zia during 1971 are another example of the perverse mentality that examplify all thoughts about the Zia family amongst a certain class of AL supporters. Please consider that our current prime minister was in the same exact position during the 1971 war.
Tarique Rahman’s hundreds of millions of dollars still have not been found. If you know where they are, please forward the details to the Prime Minister’s Office. Any time in the next three years shall suffice.
March 25, 2013 at 7:36 pm
You are very ignorant and disrespectful towards the victims of the war. The way you are talking about biranganas saying whether Khaleda Zia went to the military by choice (its a awami fantasy that she is birangana, if she is my respect for her) is extremely disrespectful towards woman.
You are worried about freedom fighters ? and saying Zia betrayed Mujib ? Let me tell you, I respect Zia but there are some other Freedom fighters I respect as well. It’s the one who assassinated Mujib. Wanna know why ? because the freed the country for the second time. Zia did not betray Mujib, but he missed out on that opportunity. If he did I would have even more respect for him.
I just do not understand how can ANYONE still talk about Mujib who was a dictator! It just sounds unearthly to me in 21st century.
July 26, 2011 at 5:29 am
Everything is fear in politics. If exercise in state power you obviously remove your enemies who are threat for your power. It is very simple a lot of people was died in regime of president Zia but the most important thing is that what had been done by President Zia. He is the pioneer of democracy, economic social cultural development.
March 30, 2012 at 8:09 am
major zia was the greatest freedom fighter of bangladesh 1
April 17, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Jay and like
1. Sheikh Mujib provided pardon to many, including razakkars and did not do any trial in following 4 years. Lies of self believe of accusation against Zia is another example of AW falsehood.
2. NO PROOF and only heresy. Did you hear her saying this? If she did not say it- bring proofs. AW lying of years and the lowest form of attacking women.
3. NO PROOF and only heresy. AW lying of years
4. AW lies
5. Lies again
Not believing you lies and propaganda doesn’t mean I blindly support BNP, or BNP has no wrong. As for Zia being killer, of course he was a trained killer. People who went to kill him he killed them all, and when he couldn’t, he was killed. That is what an Army training means. Love your AW as much you want and that is fine, but your lying and propaganda hadn’t work, and will not work. Else there won’t be such a huge anti AW entity in Bangladesh.
July 21, 2012 at 4:01 pm
he was a great man……………….
July 25, 2012 at 3:12 pm
our great freedom fitter leader of president ziaur rahaman.I liks u and your family members.I love your party bnp.I remember u my all life.M.a.kashem,matiranga,khagrachari
October 18, 2013 at 6:41 am
He was an honest ,not a liar like Ershad.