Ziaur Rahman - Definition and Overview

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Ziaur Rahman (January 19, 1936 - May 30, 1981) is considered to be one of Bangladesh's most popular presidents. Born in the northern district of Bogra, he came to prominence when he fought valiantly in the war of liberation against Pakistan in 1971. He became President of Bangladesh in 1976 and rose to great prominence through his efforts for the country's economic development and self reliance.

In his lifetime he enjoyed unfaltering public support and great popularity. Zia was assassinated in Chittagong by army officials in May 1981. Today, even 22 years after his demise, Zia is highly popular in Bangladesh for his leadership and love for the people.

Life

Ziaur Rahman was born on 19 January 1936 at Bagbari in Bogra district, North-West Bangladesh. His father was Mansur Rahman. After the creation of Pakistan, his father moved to Karachi. He joined the Pakistani Army in 1953 and was commissioned in 1955. In 1957, he was transferred to East Bengal Regiment. In 1965, during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 he fought in the Khemkaran sector. He was appointed a professional instructor in the Pakistan Military Academy in 1966. Later, he was sent to the Staff College in Quetta, West Pakistan for attending a command course. In 1969, he joined the 2nd East Bengal Regiment as its second-in-command at Joydevpur, East Pakistan.Later he was sent to West Germany for higher training. Returned back in 1970 Ziaur Rahman, promoted to a major and was transferred to 8th East Bengal Regiment at Chittagong, East Pakistan as its second in command.

After the military crackdown by the Pakistani army at 25 March in East Pakistan, Major Ziaur Rahman decided to fight for his country and joined with Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters). At that time Awami League (AL) leaders were trying to declare independence through some well known medium. East Pakistan Regiment under Major Zia captured one radio broadcast center in Kalurghat, Chittagong (Shadin Bangla Betar Kendra) and Major Zia read the independence declarations as they wanted to let people know about liberation war as soon as possible. On 26th March 1971 Major Zia declared the independence of Bangladesh and declared himself as President of Bangladesh. When nearest AL leaders objected, he made another broadcast under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s name.: I Major Zia, Provisional Commander in Chief of the Bangladesh Liberation Army, hereby proclaim, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the independence of Bangladesh.

At liberation war East Pakistan Muktibahini was under 3 forces and one of the forces was Z force under Major Ziaur Rahman.

Ziaur Rahman was offered the gallantry award of Bir Uttam for his bravery in liberation war. After the independence, he was appointed brigade commander in Comilla. June 1972, he was made Deputy Chief of Staff of the armed forces of Bangladesh. He was made promoted to Brigadier in 1973 and a Major General by the end of the year. Although He did not directly took part in Sheikh Mujib's assassination in 15th August,1975 , many claimed he was known earlier about it( as claimed by Major Dalim, who killed president Sheikh Mujib,founding father of Bangladesh in the coup). After the coup, the following president Khondakar Moshtaq Ahmad made Ziaur Rahman chief of army staff on 25 August 1975. When Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf and Dhaka brigade commander Colonel Shafat Jamil , supporter of [Sheikh Mujib] made a counter coup on 3 November 1975 against K.Mostaq Ahmad and his gangs, Ziaur Rahman was forced to resign his command and was put under house arrest by Khaled Mosharraf . Ziaur Rahman asked another army Colonel Taher for help. Colonel Taher, a left wing supporter made 3rd coup by helping of army soldiers beleieved in socialism and a left wing party National Socialist Party (Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal )in 7 November and both Brigadier K Mosharraf and Colonel Shafat Jamil were killed. Taher made Ziaur Rahman free and made him again army chief. Zia was proclaimed the Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) on 7 November 1975 and decaled a year later. Zia soon arrested Colonel Taher beacuse he refuse to share power with Colonel Taher. Colonel Taher was hanged later in 21st July, 1976. Zia later declared himself as President of Bangladesh on 21 April 1977 and ordered a marshal law in the country which lasted until 1979.

After assuming office as head of the state Zia begin to make strong relation with Western countries and move away from Soviet blocks as well as India. USA helped the country with wheat under PL 480 law and many other economic aids. Zia started to improve the country’s infrastructures with this aids. He allowed political parties to begin political activities which were banned before. He himself also created a party named Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP). He also allowed Jamaat-e-Islami to start its activities; Jamaat-e-Islami was against Bangladesh independence and, allegedly, helped Pakistan army in their genocide in Bangladesh. Golam Azam ,a traitor and master minder of killing Bangladeshi intellectuals in 14th December,1971 in liberation war was also allowed to come back. Golam Azam came back in July,1978 with a Pakistani passport. But government did not arrest him either for war-crimes or for staying in country without a visa. 16 years later, Begum Khaleda Zia's government gave Azam his Bangladeshi citizenship in 1994.

Parliament election occurred on February 1979 and Majo Zia's party BNP won 207 seats out of 300. On 9 April, martial law was lifted. After having two-third majority of perliament Zia passed a bill called Indemnity Bill which state that no trial will happen and no case can be made for assassination of Sheikh Mujib. Zia also gave Sheikh Mujib assassination Major Dalim, Major Rashid, Major Faruk jobs in foreign ministry.

Zia proposed a South Asia’s organization which includes seven South Asian nations. This organization was created in 1985 as SAARC.

Last Days

Many coups occurred against Zia’s rule but Zia brutally suppress them and many military personals were hanged under his regime. Most of them were former [Mukti bahini] (freedom fighters) leaders, who joined to military after the liberation war. 600 to 700 military personnel were executed under his regime in 1977 while failed coup happened by Air-Force. Zia was assassinated in Chittagong on 30 May, 1981 by a small army group ordered by Major General Monjur, head of Chittagong division army. Later,Monjur was captured in a tea garden in Chittagong hilly area and was immediate shot to death by army personnel most probably ordered by that time Chief of Army Staff Lt.General Ershad. Ershad was head of state of Bangladeash for later 9 years (1981-1990). The case of killing Major Zia is still in Chittagong court for last 23 years.Although his wife [Begum Khaleda Zia] was head of state 1991-1996, she didn’t try to solve the case. Zia is buried at Chandrima Uddan in Sher-e-Banglanagar, Dhaka.