Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Friday stressed the need to properly document and present the true history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, saying many significant chapters of the war remain unknown to the people.

“Many of those who assumed state power after independence did not want to present the true history of the Liberation War before the people. As a result, countless incidents, sacrifices and acts of heroism during the war remained unknown to the general public. That history must be accurately documented and presented before the people,” he said.

The acting president made the remarks while delivering the chief guest’s speech at the celebration of the 54th Commissioning and Fellowship Day of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment, organised by the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation.

Hafiz Uddin highlighted the significance of the two Liberation War courses and recalled how the gallant freedom fighters, after weeks of training, were ready to fight the well-equipped and highly trained Pakistan Army, describing it as an extraordinary achievement.

“Their contribution at that crucial time when we were facing the brutal Pakistani army needs to be properly evaluated and shared with the nation, especially the younger generation,” he said.

“Serving the nation at a crucial time like our liberation and in pivotal roles like leadership in the army must be properly assessed and given due credit. This had, regrettably, not been done,” he added.

The acting president also emphasised the role of youth, villagers and ordinary citizens in turning the Liberation War into a “People’s War”. Their bravery and sacrifice were unmatched, he said.

“The history of our great patriotic war has not been properly written. The story has so far been told partially.”

Hafiz Uddin said efforts were made after independence to create the impression that Bangladesh achieved independence solely through a few speeches.

“In reality, however, countless young people, sons, daughters and soldiers sacrificed their lives to achieve the country’s independence,” he said.

He said the Liberation War was a struggle to establish democracy, human dignity, equal rights and a discrimination-free state.

“Even after five decades of independence, that dream has not been fully realised,” he said, adding that the July uprising carried out by the people was also an expression of their aspiration to establish democracy.

He urged the new generation to learn how Bangladesh achieved independence and what dreams the freedom fighters had, and called upon young people to work to realise those dreams and build a happy, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.

Referring to the contribution of military officers to the Liberation War, he said after the Pakistani army launched genocide and brutal repression against unarmed people, Bangalee soldiers and officers of the East Bengal Regiment and the East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) declared rebellion and began armed resistance.

Hafiz Uddin said that if members of the East Bengal Regiment and the EPR had not revolted against the Pakistani forces in March 1971, the situation could have been different.

Describing the formation of the Bangladesh Army after independence, he said the force was small in 1972, but its greatest strength was its indomitable spirit and willingness to sacrifice lives for the country.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan attended the event as a special guest, while Major A Matin Chowdhury delivered the welcome address.

Also present as special guests were Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah-Ul-Azim.

The event was presided over by Maj Gen Jamil D Ahsan, BP (retd), president of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation.