Liberation War
Copyright of Bangabandhu, Liberation War photographs owned by State: HC
The High Court has ruled that individuals cannot claim the copyright of the historical photographs of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War.The court said that if anyone wants to use historical photographs of Bangabandhu or the Liberation War in any publication, he/she has to acknowledge the sources.A HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order on Tuesday, disposing of a rule issued against senior Jamuna TV reporter Nazmul Hossain on charges of plagiarism and copyright violation of two books written about Bangabandhu.Lawyer Aneek R Haque appeared for the petitioner in the court while Lawyer Shah Manjurul Haque for the journalist Nazmul Hossain.
READ: ‘No land, no job policy’ irks HC as topper Meem fails to get a police job
According to the petition, although the copyright of the book ‘Bangabandhu Maanei Bangladesh’ and ‘3053 Din’ is owned by Nazmul Hasan, owner of Journey Multi Media, the copyright of the photographs of Bangabandhu used in the book are not owned by the publisher. Lawyer Aneek R Haque said that individuals have no rights over Bangabandhu's photographs, the people have the rights. Those who have already published the books with Bangabandhu's photographs, are asked to quote the state in the books.
READ: Documents regarding Khaleda's birthday submitted to HCEarlier cases were filed over the copyright of two books written on Bangabandhu containing photos without proper citation and credit.Later the HC ordered that copyright of these two books should be kept by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and Bangladesh Jail and that the necessary changes should be done by Dec 31.
Govt trying to ‘wipe out’ Liberation War spirit: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is trying to ‘restore’ one-party rule in the country by ‘wiping out’ the spirit of the Liberation War.
"This year marks the 50th anniversary of our independence. But unfortunately, we haven’t yet achieved the goal of a democratic state for which the Liberation War began in 1971,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the current regime continues to oppress the country’s people in various ways. “They’ve killed and made many people disappeared and maimed many others.”
Read: BNP pays homage to martyred intellectuals
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to martyred intellectuals by placing a wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the city, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day.
Fakhrul said Pakistani occupation forces killed many intellectuals, including physicians, teachers, journalists and engineers, on this day. “They also killed lakhs of people during the nine-month-long war. They killed our intellectuals to make the nation devoid of talents.”
The BNP leader said they believe that people will wake up again imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War to establish a parliament and government with their mandate by ousting the current ‘illegitimate’ and ‘undemocratic’ one.
Stating that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been fighting for life at Evercare Hospital, he criticised the government for its rigid stance on not allowing her to go abroad for advanced treatment.
"Begum Khaleda Zia had been confined to jail for several years in fabricated cases. She’s now in a critical condition at the hospital. We’re repeatedly talking about her release and sending her abroad for better treatment. But they aren’t paying heed to it,” the BNP leader said.
Read: Sacrifices of martyrs to go in vain without democracy: BNP
He alleged that the current ‘monstrous’ government does not want to allow anyone, including Khaleda, to do politics. “They’ve initiated the process of depoliticization in this country.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dhaka north city unit convener Amanullah Aman, south city unit convener Abdus Salam, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, publicity secretary Sheaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee and central leader Tabith Awal were, among others, present there.
The Guardian carries photo feature on Bangladesh liberation war
The Guardian newspaper has carried a photo feature titled "Freedom in the making: Bangladesh by Anne de Henning – in pictures" as the exhibition is set to begin in the city on Friday evening.
Anne de Henning travelled through Bangladesh between 1971 and 1972, during the War of Independence, photographing freedom fighters, families, refugee trains, and women fleeing villages.
Read: French photographer Anne de Henning's exhibition on Bangladesh to inaugurate on Friday
To mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence, her images are being kept on display at the National Art Gallery in Dhaka from December 10–31.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence, Samdani Art Foundation and CRI are hosting "Witnessing History in the Making: Photographs by Anne de Henning, Bangladesh 1971-1972" - an exhibition of never-seen-before photos of Bangladesh during the period of 1971-72 by French photographer Anne de Henning.
Anne de Henning began her career as a photojournalist and at the age of 23 she left her life in Paris to cover the Vietnam War and later Bangladesh Liberation War.
Read: Samdani Art Foundation, CRI to exhibit unseen photographs of 1971-72
Her photographs from 1971 and 1972 taken in Bangladesh remained unpublished and will be shown for the first time after 50 years. KM Khalid MP, State Minister for Cultural Affairs, Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Trustee, CRI; and Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will grace the occasion that will be held on Friday evening.
Uphold spirit of Liberation War while pursuing national interest: Minister
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque has emphasized upholding the spirit of the Liberation War while pursuing national interests of Bangladesh.
He was speaking at an interaction session with the officials of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M. Shahidul Islam presided over the session.
Minister Mozammel Haque elaborated the long history of struggles by the people of then East Pakistan and highlighted the leadership role of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in all phases of struggle, which ultimately led to the emergence of an independent Bangladesh.
Also read: Liberation war affairs minister meets Turkish civil society in Istanbul
AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League government has stigmatised the independence of Bangladesh by distorting the history of the country's Liberation War.
"We would like to say it clearly that there'll be no use in falsifying the truth in Goebbelsian style and suppressing the rights of people," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the current government has destroyed democracy by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "They're now working to establish a one-party system of government.”
Fakhrul urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a fearless mass movement to 'restore' democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
BNP arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are constantly spitting venom against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his widow Khaleda Zia just out of political jealousy. "They try to belittle Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and BNP for the same reason.
He called upon the Awami League leaders to ask themselves about their contributions to the country.
"Their contributions are to surrender to the Pakistanis and become leaders fleeing the country to India (during the Liberation War). Their contributions are to destroy democracy and establish a one-party rule annihilating the soul of the nation and Bangladesh," the BNP leader said.
He alleged that Awami League is now trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda against Zia and raising a question about his role in the Liberation War.
Fakhrul said Zia is there in people's hearts as they know his contributions to the country and the Liberation War.' "History has accepted Zia, no matter what propaganda the ruling party spreads."
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work for uniting the country's people and all the democratic forces to defeat the 'autocratic' regime of Sheikh Hasina. "We have to establish a pro-people government and free Khaleda Zia from jail. The victory of the people is certain."
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party's main target is now to free the country from the hands of a 'despotic' government and restore democracy and thus free Khaleda from jail. "I call upon all to get ready for a strong movement with a vow to oust the autocratic regime.
Remembering Tajuddin on his 96th birth anniversary
The 96th birth anniversary of Tajuddin Ahmad, the first Prime Minister of independent Bangladesh and one of the four national leaders, was observed on Friday.
Tajuddin, a great man and a political logician to the core, was born on this day in 1925 at Dardariya village in Kapasia, Gazipur.
Since the 1947 partition, Tajuddin Ahmad played a very important role in all movements from anti-communalism to the Language Movement to the 1971 Liberation War.
A close confidante of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Tajuddin was the general secretary of the Awami League in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Always actively associated with politics for the emancipation of people, he coordinated with Awami League’s election campaign in 1970, in which the party won a historic parliamentary majority to form the government.
Read: Tajuddin Ahmed’s 95th birth anniversary observed
Tajuddin had led the wartime provisional government during the Liberation War of Bangladesh 1971.
On December 22, 1971, Tajuddin returned to Dhaka after the war.
After the independence of Bangladesh, Tajuddin served as the Prime Minister till the historic return of Bangabandhu to his homeland on January 10, 1972.
Later, he served as the Minister of Finance and Planning in the cabinet of the Bangabandhu government. He resigned from the cabinet on October 26, 1974.
On November 3, 1975, four national leaders and heroes of the country’s Liberation War -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman -- were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail.
The strong and unbending role Tajuddin had played during the Liberation War and the supreme sacrifice he made will always be remembered by this grateful nation.
Read: Tajuddin Ahmad's 95th birth anniv: LWM and Radio Shadhin to host online event
Liberation War Museum arranged a 48-hour online programme from Friday at 8pm, marking the 96th birth anniversary of Tajuddin Ahmad.
Filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel will deliver a speech on this virtual event, titled "Jonmodine Tajuddin Ahmad: Nisshongo Sarothi" and there will be a question-answer session at the end of the discussion.
Link to watch the documentary: vimeo.com/liberationwarmuseum
Zoom link for the discussion: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8520693449
Hasina happy as new generation takes interest to know history
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday appreciated the new generation as it wants to know the history of the country and feels proud of the victory in the Liberation War.
“If this trend continues, Bangladesh must be a developed and prosperous Golden Bangladesh in the world and we’ll be able to fulfil the dream of the Father of the Nation,” she said.
She said this while speaking at an event marking the handover of Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award for 2021) to nine individuals and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Sheikh Hasina said the ideals were lost after 1975 based on which Bangladesh got its independence.
Read: PM distributes Swadhinata Padak among recipients
“We’ve been able to bring back those ideals,” she said.She said whenever Awami League comes to power, it tries to return the dignity to the Freedom Fighters of the country. “We obviously recognise the contributions of the individuals whatever they had done.”
She said her task is to do something for the families of valiant Freedom Fighters so that the respect and reverence they are getting continue generation after generation.Congratulating the award winners, the Prime Minister said their works will encourage the future generation to follow their footsteps to do something for the country and its people utilising their merits and creativities.
Hasina said the people of independent Bangladesh will always move around the world with their heads ever high.
“We want that…we’ve attained our victory in the Liberation War…we won’t beg for mercy from anyone,” she said.The Prime Minister said the government always wants to ensure a decent life for the people of the country. “We always work for that, we want to march forward upholding whatever the country has achieved,” she said.Earlier, she handed over the highest civilian award among nine individuals and one organisation.AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master and Brig Gen (retd) Khurshid Uddin Ahmed and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu have been named posthumously for the award in recognition of their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War.
Read: 10 named for Independence Award 2021Dr Mrinmoy Guha Neogi received the highest state award for his contributions to science and technology, Mohadeb Saha for literature; Ataur Rahman and Gazi Mazharul Anwar for culture, and Dr M Amjad Hossain for social work.Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council judged for the award in the research and training category.Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam conducted the programne while Ataur Rahman spoke on behalf of the award recipients.Bangladesh has been recognising individuals and institutions with the award every year since 1977.
Recognition as Birangona brings roof over Maya Rani’s head
Maya Rani Saha, a 70-year-old woman in Faridpur, will get her own home built with the help of the district administration, following her recognition as a Birangona.
On Saturday noon, construction work of a house for childless and homeless Maya Rani was inaugurated by Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Masum Reza.
Elated Maya Rani thanked him said, “This recognition at my old age has given me more strength to live.”
Helpless, age stricken Maya Rani is a resident of Shobharampur in the extended municipality of Faridur.
During the war 16-year-old Maya Rani was assaulted by Pakistani army and their associates. Yet until now she didn’t receive any recognition.
Mortar shells, rocket launcher recovered from RU pond
Police on Friday recovered two mortar shells and a rocket launcher from a pond near Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall of Rajshahi University.
A local boy found them around noon and informed police.
Motihar Police Station’s Sub-Inspector Imran Hossain said the mortar shells and rocket launcher were kept at the police box near the Baddhabhumi area of the university.
RU Proctor Professor Lutfor Rahman said there was a Pakistani army camp during the Liberation War where the mortar shells were found. “We suspect these to be from the Liberation War period,” he said.
Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall was used as a camp by the Pakistani occupation force during the war. Recently, ammunitions, believed to be from that period, were found from a pond near the hall.
Last week, another mortar shell was found from the same pond during excavation, which was destroyed by the army the next day.
India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will always stand by the progress and development of Bangladesh as a faithful friend.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the evening.
Modi said Bangladesh has always been considered a trusted friend of India.
Also read: Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi
He also lauded the continuous socio-economic development of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told UNB after the meeting.
President Hamid welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at Bangabhaban and thanked him for attending the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
He said Modi’s visit would be a unique milestone in strengthening the existing diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
During the meeting, President Hamid expressed sincere thanks to the Government of India for conferring the ‘Gandhi Peace Prize 2020’ on Bangabandhu posthumously in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
The President also thanked the Government of India for sending Coronavirus vaccine doses to Bangladesh as gift. He hoped that vaccine doses would come to Bangladesh from India on a commercial basis would also arrive in time.
Referring to India's support in 1971, the President thanked the Government and people of India for their support and cooperation in the Great War of Liberation.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years diversified ties
The Indian PM also signed the visitors' book at Bangabhaban.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Momen, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, among others, were present there.