Ashequn Nabi Chowdhury
As Bangladesh celebrated this year’s Independence Day, the occasion was overshadowed by a lack of acknowledgment for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971. The celebration was further marred by systematic attacks on the opposition, growing concerns about the country’s future amid political instability, and a deliberate assault on historical truth. Central to this controversy is Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is now accused of contributing to the systematic distortion of Bangladesh’s liberation struggle—an act that many view as a betrayal of the nation’s founding principles.
The allegations against Yunus include rewriting historical narratives, diminishing the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and empowering anti-liberation forces. This alleged revisionism goes beyond academic debate; it strikes at the heart of Bangladesh’s national identity. If these issues remain unchallenged, they risk erasing the sacrifices made by millions who fought for freedom and undermining the nation’s foundation.
In this context, it is crucial to understand Yunus’s motives and the implications of his actions to safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty and protect its people from a looming identity crisis.
Yunus’s political ambitions: From microcredit to power grab
Professor Yunus, globally celebrated for his Nobel Peace Prize and Grameen Bank, has faced growing scrutiny over his political ambitions. While his 2007 attempt to establish the political party Nagorik Shakti was short-lived, critics allege that his current leadership—secured through foreign-backed means—is marked by historical revisionism.
Yunus gained international acclaim in 2006 when he and Grameen Bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Although widely credited with pioneering microfinance, the concept was first introduced in the 1950s by Akhtar Hameed Khan in East Pakistan. Yunus later popularized it through Grameen Bank in 1974.
Despite his global recognition, Yunus played no significant role in Bangladesh’s Liberation War. While studying in the United States, his contributions to the independence movement were limited to advocacy. After the war, he briefly served in Sheikh Mujib’s Planning Commission before resigning to teach at Chittagong University, where he laid the foundation for Grameen Bank.
His political aspirations first emerged in 2007 with the formation of Nagorik Shakti,but dissolved within months due to a lack of support. His ambitions resurfaced dramatically in 2024 when he allegedly orchestrated a foreign-backed ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seizing power through a ‘meticulous plan’. Since then, his administration has been accused of systematically distorting Bangladesh’s history, downplaying Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s role and the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
Why is the history of liberation so important for Bangladesh?
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was a pivotal moment in South Asian history, marking the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation. This historical context highlights the resilience and sacrifices of the Bangladeshi people in their struggle for self-determination and justice.
The conflict arose from deep-seated political, economic, and cultural disparities between East and West Pakistan, which had been united under one state since the partition of British India in 1947. East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) faced systemic discrimination and exploitation by the central government in West Pakistan. Despite being the more populous region, East Pakistan was underrepresented in political decision-making and deprived of economic resources.
The situation escalated after the 1970 general elections, where the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a majority but was denied power by the West Pakistani leadership. Tensions reached a breaking point on March 25, 1971, when the Pakistani military launched “Operation Searchlight,” a brutal crackdown on Dhaka and other parts of East Pakistan and subsequently, Sheikh Mujib declared independence of Bangladesh. This led to a nine-month war of liberation when the Pakistan military carried out widespread atrocities, including the targeting of civilians, intellectuals, and students. The violence prompted millions of refugees to flee to neighbouring India.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the people of East Pakistan waged a nine-month-long war for independence. India played a crucial role by providing support to the Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army) and eventually intervened militarily in December 1971. The war culminated in the surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971, and the establishment of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.
How is Yunus distorting history?
A common method of historical rewriting involves selective omissions, altering facts, and shifting narratives. Yunus, his administration, and their associates have followed this path by omitting critical events, such as the Historic 7 March, and downplaying the significance of key figures like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This misrepresentation also includes distorting the roles of specific individuals and groups, altering the narrative to fit their agenda of distorting historical facts.
Since coming to power last year, Professor Yunus and his administration have distorted Bangladesh’s history through various means, including significant changes to history textbooks, particularly regarding the narrative of the 1971 Liberation War.
Media reports indicate that these changes have led to a controversial shift in recognising the Independence proclamation. The current textbooks now credit Ziaur Rahman, a former army chief and founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with declaring Bangladesh’s independence on March 26, 1971. This assertion is fundamentally incorrect; Zia only read the declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who made the actual declaration after midnight on March 26, 1971.
Furthermore, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s title as “Father of the Nation” has been removed, along with references to his leadership during the Liberation War. Yunus’s administration claims that these changes are an effort to eliminate “exaggerated” or “imposed” history, presenting a more “fact-based” account. However, critics argue that these revisions reflect political motives and risk distorting the historical record.
These textbook revisions have also sparked public debates about the politicisation of history in Bangladesh and their implications for national identity and education. Moreover, in recent months, historic sites and symbols have been destroyed, preventing future generations from witnessing evidence of the true history and leaving them reliant on the false narratives propagated by Yunus’s regime.
Additionally, Yunus is systematically promoting political parties and voices from groups that not only opposed Bangladesh’s independence but also actively collaborated with the Pakistani army to carry out atrocities in 1971.
Erasing History: the demolition of Dhanmondi 32
A pivotal act in this alleged historical erasure was the demolition of the historic Dhanmondi 32 house—Sheikh Mujib’s residence and later the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum—on February 5, 2025. Reports suggest this act of cultural vandalism was carried out by anti-liberation forces and radical Islamist groups, allegedly with support from Pakistan’s ISI under Yunus’s interim administration.
Damage to national symbols and heritage
Reports also highlight the defacement and neglect of national monuments, including sculptures commemorating the Liberation War and cultural icons like Tagore and Nazrul. Symbols of independence, such as the “Swadhinata Sangram” and “Aparajeyo Bangla” sculptures, have been damaged, raising fears of deliberate attempts to erase historical memory.
Empowering extremists: Yunus’s alliance with anti-liberation forces
Political analysts have raised alarms over the interim government’s alleged collaboration with extremist groups. Reports indicate the lifting of bans on Islamist parties and the release of individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses. A BBC report (February 19, 2025) revealed that extremist groups, previously suppressed under Sheikh Hasina’s government, have gained momentum under Yunus’s administration. Key developments include the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party and the release of convicted extremists, including Mufti Jashimuddin Rahmani, leader of the banned militant group Ansarullah Bangladesh (ABT), convicted for the 2013 murder of a secular blogger.
Media censorship and amplification of anti-liberation narratives
Bangladesh’s media now operates under indirect censorship, with journalists fearing retaliation for reporting the truth. On the other hand, Pro-Yunus outlets actively promote narratives that distort the history of the 1971 liberation struggle. Notably, during this historic month of March, media coverage has omitted any mention of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, including the historic March 7 speech and his birth anniversary. Even the genocide of March 25, 1971, has been ignored. Yunus and his advisers have remained silent on Sheikh Mujib’s pivotal role in leading Bangladesh to independence, while collaborators of the 1971 massacre now dominate public discourse.
Why is Yunus distorting history?
Revisionism is the practice of reinterpreting or re-examining historical events, ideas, or established beliefs. It often involves questioning widely accepted narratives or introducing new perspectives based on fresh evidence or analysis. While revisionism can lead to a deeper understanding of history, it can also be controversial, especially when it is seen as distorting facts or undermining established truths.
For example, in historical studies, revisionists might argue for alternative explanations of events, challenging the mainstream view. In politics, the term “revisionism” is sometimes used to describe policies or ideologies that stray from traditional or orthodox positions.
As far as Yunus’s attempts is concerned, it appears to be a calculated political strategy aimed at delegitimizing opponents by erasing their historical contributions. Yunus’s actions are being scrutinized in the context of power consolidation.
Liberation history is a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s national identity. If distorted narratives gain traction, they might undermine the shared understanding of the sacrifices and struggles that led to independence. However, this distortion would be a significant help for the parties and the groups who were behind Yunus’s meticulous plan for taking Bangladesh back to the pre-independence state. He is using ‘rewriting of history’ as a tool for political gain. His actions to alter historical narratives would only serve to advance his specific political agendas, consolidate power, or delegitimise opponents.
Yunus is using his Nobel Prize to shield controversial actions.
Like some Nobel Peace Prize laureates before him, Yunus is accused of leveraging his status to protect controversial actions. For instance, Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 but has been accused of justifying war crimes against Tigrayans from 2020 to 2022.
Similarly, Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni journalist, politician, and human rights activist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her advocacy of democracy and women’s rights, has faced criticism for her perceived association with the Muslim Brotherhood. This criticism stems particularly from her ties with Yemen’s Al-Islah Party, which is considered the Yemeni branch of the Brotherhood.
Detractors argue that her advocacy has been selective, focusing on certain causes while allegedly overlooking others. Consequently, her appointment to Facebook’s Oversight Board in 2020 sparked controversy, with critics questioning her neutrality and accusing her of supporting extremist ideologies.
Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar followed a similar trajectory. Although she is internationally recognised for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, she has been condemned for her silence during the Rohingya genocide. Her tenure has been controversial, particularly regarding her handling of the Rohingya crisis, which has led to accusations of her complicity in human rights abuses.
Yunus now joins this troubling list, allegedly using his Nobel Prize to suppress dissent and distort the history of Bangladesh for his political gains and reprisals.
Time to Act
Bangladesh must resist this distortion of its history. Yunus’s Nobel Prize should not absolve him of undermining the nation’s proud legacy. The truth of 1971 must be defended—before it is erased forever.
Writer: Ashequn Nabi Chowdhury, Journalist, Author and Former Diplomat