New Delhi: The Bangladesh government has announced an important revision of history textbooks for the upcoming academic year, aimed at removing “exaggerated” historical content and “unnecessary” glorification of individuals. This decision was confirmed by officials from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), as per a report by the India Today.
The updated curriculum will emphasise the role of Ziaur Rahman, the country’s sixth President, as the figure who declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. This marks a departure from the previous narrative, which credited Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, known as ‘Bangabandhu,’ with the declaration of independence.
According to The Daily Star, the revisions will affect textbooks for students from grades four to nine, while those for grades one to three will remain unchanged.
Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman, who later became President of Bangladesh, played a controversial yet pivotal role during the country’s liberation war. The curriculum overhaul reflects an effort to present a more “balanced” historical perspective, officials said.
The move has sparked widespread discussion, as it challenges the established narrative that has long centred on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the architect of Bangladesh’s independence. Critics argue that such changes could polarise public opinion, while supporters view it as a step toward correcting historical inaccuracies.
The government’s decision aligns with its broader initiative to reassess historical accounts taught in schools, ensuring that they are factual and free from political biases.
