Political analyst Maruf Kamal Khan. File Photo

DHAKA, May 30, 2025 (BSS)- Political analyst Maruf Kamal Khan today said the groundbreaking role played by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam in nation building in a very short time is truly astonishing. 

Zia is still relevant due to his timeless ideals and his  timeless ideology should be followed to take the country forward, he told BSS in an interview on the eve of the Ziaur Rahman’s 44th martyrdom anniversary. 

“There is no great leader in South Asia like Ziaur Rahman in the last few decades. By leading a fragile state of a weak nation, he was able to establish himself at a much higher level than the leaders of many powerful countries,” he said. 

Maruf Kamal said Ziaur Rahman was a symbol of honesty, courage, valor, modesty, patriotism, generosity, greatness, tolerance, restraint and foresightedness in his personal life. 

“Mixture of firmness and softness is an unique aspect of his character. He could have been unforgettable in history for any one of the extraordinary things he did in his short span of life of just 45 and a half years,” he added. 

During the Pakistan era, Bengalis were portrayed as cowards and called as a non-marshal race or non-combatant race, he said adding Zia changed that conventional idea through his extraordinary heroic fight in the Khemkaran sector during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. 

His heroic role in the war gave confidence and determination to Bengali soldiers that motivated them for liberation war, he said. 

This political analyst said that in 1971, he rebelled and started the liberation war by declaring the independence in the radio, he said. 

“He elevated the Bengali rebellion and resistance to a legitimate revolution and a war of liberation. When the revolution that took place in 1975 through the solidarity of the soldiers and the people placed him in the seat of national leadership,” he said. 

Mentioning that Bangladesh achieved state sovereignty under his leadership, Maruf Kamal said Zia brought about a distinctive and dignified national identity by defining Bangladeshi nationalism. 

“He showed that the alliance of soldiers and the people is the way to protect the independence and sovereignty of a small and weak state like Bangladesh,” he said. 

Maruf Kamal said Ziaur Rahman is the embodiment of multi-party democracy as he brought back the right and left-wing parties from underground and irregular activities to open space and systematic politics. 

He said, Zia gave the people the sovereign power and made it mandatory to get the opinion and approval of the people through referendum on any fundamental issue. Zia ensured the freedom of speech of individuals, newspapers and the judiciary. 

He said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman declared that encouraging production and development should be the motto of politics. 

Ziaur Rahman launched massive campaign and spree of development to defuse the frustration of people, He was the pioneer of garment industry and the export of manpower abroad. He brought a revolution in agriculture through promoting irrigation systems, canal digging, and high-yielding crop cultivation. He brought women to the forefront and included them in nation building activities. He took appropriate steps for welfare and development of the youth and children,” he said. 

Maruf Kamal said Ziaur Rahman gave importance to religious values ??instead of religious hatred in the state affairs and politics, and discouraged communalism. 

“He brought the people of hilly regions into the mainstream. By implementing the small announcements of the 19-point program, he followed the path of fulfilling basic needs including food, cloth, education, medical care, and housing and making the country self-reliant. He was successful in improving law and order and protecting national security. He strengthened the armed forces. He developed paramilitary forces as an alternative defense force,” he said. 

This political analyst said that Ziaur Rahman played a strong role in establishing unity and harmony among the Muslim Ummah and resolving various international problems. 

“He proved his skillful diplomatic leadership in resolving various issues with India, including water sharing. He was a visionary and envisaged SAARC for regional cooperation. 

Maruf Kamal said Zia is the architect of modern Bangladesh and established all the necessary traditions and institutions to strengthen the state. 

“That’s why Zia is still relevant. His timeless ideology should be followed to take the country forward. His ideals and philosophy should be practiced more and more,” he suggested.