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Sunday | October 11, 2026 | Dhaka

Shaheed Zia’s legacy can’t be erased: Ishraque

 Tanvir Alam Rimon, Roving Correspondent
 Published: 12:01 AM, 10 October 2026  Updated: 11:41 PM, 09 October 2026

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraque Hossain, MP, has asserted that no state-level cancellation of awards by the ousted autocratic regime can erase the indelible place and legacy of the Proclaimer of Independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

He made the remarks while talking to journalists on Friday at the Shaheed Titu Auditorium in Bogura, where he attended as the keynote speaker at a memorial and discussion meeting marking the 2nd anniversary of the July-24 mass uprising. The event was jointly organised by the ‘July-24 Shaheed Paribar Society’ and ‘Amra July Joddha’ (Rajshahi Divisional Executive Committee).

Responding to queries regarding the previous regime’s revocation of Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award (Swadhinata Padak) and the removal of his memorabilia from the National Museum, Ishraque termed those actions “completely illegitimate”.

“We completely reject those decisions taken under the fascist regime of Hasina,” the state minister said. “Can anyone erase Shaheed Zia’s legacy or his deep-rooted place in the people’s hearts simply by cancelling a state award? He proclaimed independence, fought on the battlefield, and remains etched in our national memory; that can never be undone.”

Regarding the displaced memorabilia and medals from the National Museum, he mentioned that while it involves the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the government will ensure all historical artifacts and memories of the Proclaimer of Independence are restored and preserved with due state honour.

Ishraque also issued a strong warning against political quarters attempting to claim exclusive ownership or credit for the July-August 2024 revolution.

“Just as a single individual was not solely responsible for the Liberation War, the July uprising was not magically created overnight or within just 36 days,” he observed.

“For over a decade and a half, the people of Bangladesh across all walks of life endured unspeakable torture, abductions, enforced disappearances, and bloodshed-from the Pilkhana massacre to attacks on democratic movements and religious groups. This uprising was the cumulative outcome of their enduring sacrifices.”

He warned that those attempting to “sell sole credit” to build political mileage are mirroring the autocratic attitudes of the past. Ishraque reiterated that the government holds the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War as the supreme foundation of the nation, while giving full historical credit to everyone who contributed to the fall of autocracy.