Bangladesh Revises History Textbooks, Ziaur Rahman’s Legacy Restored While Mujib-Centric Influence Diminished

Bangladesh has introduced radical changes to its school curriculum, reflecting the country's ongoing political and ideological divisions that date back to the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, reported The Hindu.

The latest revisions have removed numerous references to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s first President and father of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and instead highlight figures from Bangladesh’s early history who were previously erased during Hasina’s tenure.

A Shift in Historical Narratives?

For years, school textbooks in Bangladesh prominently featured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, celebrating his role as the architect of the country’s independence.

However, following Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power last summer, the new government has undertaken a significant overhaul of the school curriculum, removing dozens of Mujib’s speeches, poems, and articles, as well as images of his daughter.

AKM Riazul Hassan, head of the national agency responsible for the curriculum reform, defended the changes, stating, “The books had turned into one side’s political manifesto.”, quoted as saying by The Hindu.

The revised curriculum now emphasises the hundreds of people killed in the protests that led to Hasina’s ousting and restores the legacy of previously sidelined historical figures.

Ziaur Rahman Is Back, But In Textbooks

One of the most notable revisions is the inclusion of Ziaur Rahman, the former army chief credited with making the first public proclamation of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.

Zia, who went on to found the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), had been largely omitted from school textbooks during Hasina’s rule due to his political opposition to the Awami League.

Critics argue that while the new curriculum attempts to diversify historical perspectives, it also conveniently omits several crucial details, particularly regarding the role of militia groups in the country’s history.

While the textbooks acknowledge that militias were responsible for political violence, they fail to mention that these groups were backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, a hardline Islamist party with a controversial past.

Growing Religious Influence in Education

The curriculum revision has also made several concessions to religious groups, reflecting the rising influence of conservative forces in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Notably, references to transgender Bangladeshis have been removed, fulfilling a longstanding demand from Islamist organisations that oppose official recognition of third-gender communities.

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