Khaleda asks ministry to maintain authenticity

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Prof Mohammad Rezaul Karim formally hands over the 15 volumes of the reprinted "Bangladesher Swadhinata: Dalilpatra" to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the PM's office. PHOTO: PID

" You must uphold the facts. Take care so that the history is not distorted in any way," she said this when when State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Prof Mohammad Rezaul Karim formally handed over the 15 volumes of the reprinted "Bangladesher Swadhinata: Dalilpatra" to her at the PM's office.

Khaleda thanked the Liberation War Ministry for properly performing the task by inscribing the correct information in the new edition of the Bangladesher Swadhinata: Dalilpatra.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Talking to newsmen after the hand-over of the documents to the Prime Minister, Prof Rezaul Karim said there has been no distortion of information in the reprinted documents.

He said late Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed the country's independence and it is well known to all. Sector commanders of the War of Liberation and even Maj Rafique of Awami League have admitted it.

He said Awami League leader Tajuddin Ahmed had said that Ziaur Rahman proclaimed the independence first.

On EPR message of the announcement of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said this is not based on fact - there is no information regarding this.

Prof Karim said the nine-member attestation committee formed for the new edition of the document and history of the liberation war did not find such information of EPR message after intense scrutiny.

Regarding the criticisms and reactions by various personalities and institutions, he said, "What we have done we have done to portray the correct history before the nation, not to undermine anybody or glorify anyone."

He said they would print the documents on 11 sectors of the liberation war in five volumes, a brigade-based document and an album on the War of Liberation.

The price of the reprinted Bangladesher Swadhinata: Dalilpatra is Tk 3,000.

Prime Minister's Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury was also present on the occasion.