'We revolted for independence on 25 March night': Ziaur Rahman

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman said he led the 8th Battalion of the then East Bengal Regiment to revolt against the Pakistan occupation forces as it started military operations to kill innocent Bangladeshi people on the fateful night of 25 March 1971.

"This was the time for the final decision. In no more than a few seconds I said, we revolted," he wrote in an article titled "Birth of a Nation" first published in the 26 March, 1972 issue of the Dainik Bangla.

Later, the Weekly Bichitra in its Independence Day issue in 1974 rerun the article written by Ziaur Rahman, the then army Major during iberation War, according to a book titled "President Zia of Bangladesh: A Political Biography" written by journalist and writer Mahfuz Ullah.

Ziaur Rahman, also the former army chief, in the article delineated his school life and cadet life at military academy in Pakistan era, the volatile situation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and Liberation War.

He said, "Since my school life, the outlook of the Pakistanis used to hurt me. I knew they hated us from the core of their heart. I heard many such stories from my friends at school. They used to repeat at school what their parents used to discuss at home".

"Since then, I cherished a single dream-deep in my heart-had I get a chance, one day I would have hit in the core of existence of Pakistanis. With great affection and care, I used to foster this thought," he wrote.

The late president also denoted how the Pakistani media, intellectuals, government employees, army and its people misrepresented 1952's Language Movement as a conspiracy against their state.

Turning to victory of United Front defeating Muslim League in 1954 elections, he wrote, "At that time, I was a cadet of the second phase....some Pakistani cadets' hurled abusive words about our national leaders. We protested it and got into a heated argument.

 It occurred that verbal argument was not enough to resolve the issue. It was decided that the two parties would take part in a boxing contest".

"I put on the boxing gloves to establish the birthrights of the Bengalis. In support of the Pakistanis adamant position, a Pakistani cadet came forward. His name was Latif. Latif swore a pledge that he would teach me a lesson... but the boxing fight lasted no more than 30 seconds.

My Pakistani opponent fell on the ground defeated and called for peaceful solutions of all disputes," the article quoted him as saying.

Stating all the notable but volatile events during the Pakistan period, Ziaur Rahman wrote: "Then came the black night-the black night between March 25 and March 26. At 1:00 am, my commanding officer asked me to go to the Chittagong Port in a naval truck and report to General Ansari.

I was also informed that naval guard (Pakistani) would accompany me. I was also told that I could take three people if I wished. But I Would have a Pakistani officer from my battalion as my guard".

"We headed to the port. We had to stop at Agrabad due to a barricade on the way. Suddenly, there came Major Khalequzzaman with a message from Captain Oli Ahmed. I was walking on the street.

Khaleq took me a little away and whispered into my ear. They (Pakistan military) have started military action in the cantonment and town. They have killed many Bengalis," he said.

Ziaur Rahman then declared his bold word "we revolted" and asked his fellow army men to arrest Pakistani officers. Then, he himself headed his commanding officer's house in his car and also arrested him.

He wrote: "When I returned to the Battalion, I saw that all Pakistani officers were arrested and kept in one room. I went to the office. I tried to communicate with Lt. Col. MR Chowdhury and Major Rafique but I couldn't. All efforts were in vain. Later, I called the telephone operator of the civilian section.

I requested him to inform the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Commissioner, Deputy Inspector General and the Awami League leaders that the 8th Battalion of the East Bengal Regiment revolted and they would fight for independence of the country".